Juniata’s COVID-19 Operations Team continues to monitor internal and external conditions, scientific data, and public health guidance. Changes to campus policies and practices are likely and will be communicated as transparently and quickly as possible.
The following measures are in place for 2022:
Student arrival:
- Within 72 hours prior to arrival on campus, students must receive a negative COVID-19 test and submit results online. Rapid antigen tests are recommended; PCR tests and remotely monitored tests (as linked here and above) are also acceptable. Self-administered OTC home tests are not acceptable. Find testing locations or explore medically monitored remote testing.
- Individuals who test positive should delay their return to campus and email deanofstudents@juniata.edu for additional instructions.
- Students having difficulty arranging a test should email covidtestingcenter@juniata.edu for further guidance.
Student vaccination:
- Students need to provide documentation of full vaccination, which includes the receipt of a booster within 30 days of eligibility (6 months from the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer, or 2 months from receipt of the J&J) and submit online: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?JuniataCollege&layout_id=40
- Those medically or religiously exempted will continue to be tested weekly.
Student testing, isolation and quarantine:
- Unvaccinated students will be scheduled for weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing. Those who fail to complete a test during the scheduled weekly surveillance testing are subject to disciplinary actions.
- Close contacts will be tested at appropriate times following exposure.
- Individuals who test positive will isolate for five days, re-testing after the fifth day if possible, as long as they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours). A negative post-isolation test is followed by 5 additional days of strict masking in all campus interactions. A positive test following the initial isolation period extends the isolation period until a negative test result is received, or for a maximum of 10 days, whichever comes first.
- Students who test positive should plan to isolate at home, except in instances where travel is unsafe or impossible.
- Close contacts will be notified of exposure by email.
- Vaccinated close contacts will be directed to mask in all campus interactions, with a test conducted on the fifth day after exposure.
- Unvaccinated close contacts will be directed to quarantine for five days, with a test conducted on the fifth day after exposure, followed by an additional 5 days of strict masking.
- The Dean of Students Office and Health Services must be notified immediately of a positive result from a test that was performed at an off-campus location.
Employee vaccination:
- By February 1, 2022, employees need to provide documentation of full vaccination, which includes the receipt of a booster within 30 days of eligibility (6 months from the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer, or 2 months from receipt of the J&J) and email a copy of their vaccination cards to Human Resources at hr@juniata.edu.
- Those who would like to apply for a medical or religious exemption from the College’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement may do so by submitting their request to hr@juniata.edu by January 18, 2022. Medical exemptions must be verified by a currently licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. Religious exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- COVID-19 Vaccine Request for Medical Accommodation
- COVID -19 Vaccine Request for Religious Accommodation
- Other exemptions from the vaccine requirement (beyond medical and religious) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and, if approved, a monthly fee of $200 will be imposed for continued COVID-19 testing and for the potential of increased medical expenses due to higher rates of hospitalization and care for those unvaccinated. Email exemption requests to hr@juniata.edu.
Employee testing, isolation and quarantine:
- Unvaccinated employees will be scheduled for weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing. Those who fail to complete a test during the scheduled weekly surveillance testing are subject to disciplinary actions.
- Individuals who test positive must stay home for five business days, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask around others, as long as they are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours). If possible, testing off-campus after the initial 5 days of isolation - and receiving a negative result - is recommended before returning to work. A positive test following the initial isolation period extends the stay at home period until a negative test result is received, or for a maximum of 10 days, whichever comes first.
- Vaccinated close contacts will be directed to mask in all campus interactions, with a test conducted on the fifth day after exposure.
- Unvaccinated close contacts will be directed to quarantine for five days, with a test conducted on the fifth day after exposure, followed by an additional 5 days of strict masking.
- Human Resources must be notified immediately of a positive result from a test that was performed at an off-campus location.
Mask Requirements: Beginning Tuesday, March 1, vaccinated students and employees will no longer be required to wear masks on campus, with three notable exceptions:
- Faculty have the discretion to set expectations for masking in their classrooms and students are expected to adhere to those expectations. Unvaccinated students must be masked regardless.
- Organizers of campus events have the discretion to set expectations for masking.
- In accordance with NCAA guidelines, athletics will continue to wear masks in some group settings, and masks will still be required for spectators to attend indoor sporting events.
- Unvaccinated students and employees must continue to wear masks indoors on campus, except while eating in designated dining areas.
Visitors should come to campus prepared to mask. Each individual should bring a supply of masks and carry them at all times.
Symptom monitoring – and acting on symptoms – is crucial: Symptoms of the Omicron variant include congestion, headache, night sweats, fever, tiredness, scratchy throat and fatigue. Students experiencing any of these symptoms should arrange for a diagnostic test at the health center, and employees should arrange for a diagnostic test through their health care provider. Please do not participate in our on-campus surveillance testing if you are in any way symptomatic, and please do not ignore mild symptoms such as minor congestion or mild headache.
Classrooms: We expect a higher than normal amount of absenteeism in the first few weeks of class due to pre-arrival positive tests, as well as continued local transmission. As a result, faculty are asked to ensure that students who must miss class due to COVID-19 will not experience an educational disruption, and that course content will be delivered to these students via HyFlex, at least for the first few weeks of the semester.
Dining Halls: Unvaccinated individuals should remain masked unless eating.
Campus Events and Activities: A variety of lectures, programs, and events take place on campus. Sponsors may consult with the COVID-19 Operations Team regarding recommended safety measures. Organizers of events should convey expectations in advance so that participants are able to prepare adequately to address their health and wellbeing. Those in attendance should pay attention to all guidance that is provided in advance and through the duration of campus programming. Unvaccinated guests must wear masks indoors and practice social distancing.
Student clubs and organizations will be able to host events. RSOs are encouraged to hold events outdoors where masking will not be required. Indoor meetings and events should maintain physical distancing and require masking of unvaccinated individuals. RSOs have the right to require universal masking for their events but should make this expectation clear to participants.
Students participating in off-campus events and activities, including internships, volunteer or community engagement experiences, student teaching, etc. should consult the site supervisor about COVID-19 regulations and policies that exist at the event site.
Athletics: Juniata Athletics will inform athletes of specific policies and practices that relate to sport participation. Attendance at Juniata athletic contests is welcomed, and faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to show their support and spirit. Those who are unable to attend contests in-person are able to stream most athletic events. Spectators must wear masks in indoor venues. Unvaccinated individuals are not permitted to use the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center Fitness Center or Natatorium.
Residence Hall Guest Visitation: Masks must be worn by unvaccinated students in common areas of residence halls. Vaccinated individuals may elect to wear masks in residence halls given the higher density of these living spaces. Guests may be hosted in student rooms but no more than five individuals, per bedroom including the resident(s) can be present in a private room at any given time.
Students may host non-Juniata guests on campus. Only student guests who are vaccinated may be present in campus buildings, including residence halls, with the exception of events and venues open to the public, such as athletic events. All guests hosted on campus must be in compliance with other regulations regarding the presence of and responsibility for campus guests.
Travel: Student travel is not restricted. Those traveling away from campus are encouraged to engage in masking and protective behaviors as warranted by vaccination status and vaccination rates in destination and pass-through areas. Students returning to campus who are concerned about a potential exposure during travel should mask until a test can be arranged and contact covidtestingcenter@juniata.edu.