Fall 2023 COVID info for staff

Following is basic information on topics of broad concern. Please direct any inquiries to the Human Resources team.

As always, if you aren’t feeling well, please stay home, see your healthcare provider if necessary and recover safely!

    • The college no longer provides free at-home or over the counter testing kits.
    • Now that the declared public health emergency has ended, our Blue Cross Blue Shield plans will cover diagnostic COVID-19 tests only if ordered by a healthcare provider.
    • Employees with Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts may still use them to purchase at-home tests.
    • The college encourages but no longer requires new employees to get vaccinated for COVID. 
      • This change applies to anyone with a start date of July 1, 2023, or later.
    • We encourage those who are eligible to get the latest COVID booster, which was released in Fall 2023. Appointments are  available at many local pharmacies. If a campus booster clinic can be arranged, it will be announced at a later date.
    • If you test positive, isolate according to CDC guidance and stay away from campus for at least five days. You should also seek medical advice from your healthcare provider.
    • You may work virtually while isolated if you choose and are able.
    • If you tested positive but had no symptoms, you can return to campus after Day 5 (the day of your positive test is Day 0).
    • If you were positive and symptomatic, you can return at the point after Day 5 when your symptoms have subsided. Loss of taste and smell can persist for longer, so are not part of this calculation.
    • When you do return, please mask at all times on campus through Day 10. There are no other restrictions on your activities during this period.
    • FYI, students who develop symptoms or test positive should immediately contact the Student Health Center for medical advice. They'll be asked to isolate in their own rooms unless they're in a double; to pick up meals to go from Dining; and to mask whenever out of their rooms.
    • They'll also be encouraged to inform any likely close contacts.
    • If you've been exposed to someone who has COVID, including someone in your household, please follow the CDC's guidance:
      • Wear a mask whenever you're around other people.
      • Monitor yourself for symptoms.
      • Test yourself on the fifth full day after your exposure, regardless of whether you're symptomatic or not.
      • If negative, continue to mask until day 10. If positive, see the section on positive results above.