Campus family,
Students are already arriving on campus and I’m excited to see what this new school year has in store. Our new chaplain, our Student Association team and everyone else have been working hard to prepare for your arrival and can’t wait to get the full Union community back together.News of how the fast-spreading COVID variant is impacting certain parts of the country may cause us to be cautious, but we will not let the pandemic dampen the Union spirit. We’ll continue to build on the mentorship, community activities and friendship that helped you choose to attend Union in the first place.
We’re planning to move ahead with scheduled activities—and along with that Union has also implemented some policies to make sure we can continue those activities without undue risk of spreading the Delta variant—which appears to have a greater impact on young adults than the previous version of COVID.
So here are some highlights from Union’s COVID policy for this year. You can read the whole thing at ucollege.edu/covid. Please understand that the pandemic is rapidly changing, so our policies may have to change to protect our campus.
Get vaccinated—you can even do it on campus
The Delta variant of COVID is spreading rapidly in our area leading to serious illness and increasing hospitalizations. Vaccination is not required by Union, but health experts believe this is the best path to keeping yourself safe and helping Union have a normal school year.Here are two more reasons to get vaccinated:
- During mask mandates (currently until September 5), you’ll be able to take off your mask during certain indoor events or for athletic training.
- You will not have to quarantine if you have close contact with a COVID case.
Plus, the county health department will hold a vaccination clinic here on campus August 30 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. in Heartland Hall at College View Church. Click here to schedule a specific time in that window.
Face masks—another layer of protection
As the Delta variant spreads and a significant number of our campus community remain unvaccinated, Union will require face masks indoors until September 5. This will give us an opportunity to assess the spread on campus to start the semester and make sure we make the best decisions to keep the campus safe going forward.There will be a few exceptions to the mandate:
- Face masks will not be required while eating in the Union Market dining hall (although they must be worn in the serving line and unless seated at your table).
- When actively working out or in the pool at Larson Lifestyle Center.
- In your residence hall room with your roommate.
Additionally, if you are fully vaccinated and registered in Union’s vaccine registry, you’ll be able to take your mask off in these situations:
- When at designated club-sponsored indoor events where food is provided (only while eating).
- Varsity athletes who are fully vaccinated may remove their masks while participating in official team practices and games.
- When leading music or worship from the platform (while maintaining six feet of distance from others).
If you have a medical reason for not being able to wear a mask, you must submit a request, including documentation from a physician at ucollege.edu/mask-mandate
The dreaded “Q” word
Unfortunately, the continued spread of COVID means we still need to have quarantine and isolation procedures in place to contain the spread and protect the vulnerable populations—including those with compromised immune systems and the children of our employees who can’t be vaccinated.But good news! As I mentioned earlier—if you are vaccinated, you do not have to quarantine unless you have symptoms.
Unvaccinated people who have close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case will have to quarantine for a week (unless you develop symptoms). Quarantine means you’ll have to stay in your room and use a specific stall and sink in the bathroom. You may also be able to leave your room at specific times to get food or fresh air. If you live off campus, you’ll need to stay off campus during your quarantine.
Any student who has symptoms must contact Union’s Virtual Care (ucollege.edu/virtualcare) and quarantine as outlined in the policy. The Virtual Care medical providers along with Campus Health staff will determine if you need a COVID test and how long you should stay in quarantine.
We plan to offer on-campus COVID testing again this year, but we’re still working out the details.
Since Union isn’t offering hybrid classes across the board, each student who is in quarantine or isolation will have to work with professors directly to ensure the absences are counted as excused and to make up coursework. So make sure you contact your professors right away.
Let’s have a great year together
I know there’s a lot of information here, but please understand that the COVID Team and our entire college is working hard to make this school year as normal as possible and still ensure each of you—and our broader community—can avoid the more destructive side of COVID.It takes each of us to build the community that makes Union special, and I am confident that together we can have a great school year. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.
Blessings to you,
Vinita Sauder, President