Campus mitigation protocols are fluid and will be based on several factors:

• Recommendations by the CDC and/or Berrien County Health Department
• Community/local and campus transmission data and best practices

Protocols will also be based on individual risk factors, including an individual’s vaccination status and/or having met Andrews University’s standards for “acquired immunity” status. The University is not mandating vaccination for COVID-19.

We will continue to review the factors and impacts on protocol. Changes will be announced as needed.

The campus protocols are available in the following sections:

• Community Covenant of Care
• Masking/Physical Distancing
• Monthly Testing
• Symptom Monitoring
• Travel

Andrews University strongly encourages employees and students to self-report receiving a vaccination. Information can be submitted through this dedicated Banner page.

The data helps the University understand the potential impact of vaccinations on campus, including which areas may still be at risk and quantities that could be factored into future vaccine options.

Please review additional information on COVID-19 vaccinations from Spectrum Health Lakeland here and from the Berrien County Health Department here.

Andrews University considers those who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and completed isolation to have met the University’s standards for “acquired immunity” status.

Employees or students who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 but have not been vaccinated can self-report those details, including the date (or approximate date) of a positive COVID-19 test, through this dedicated Banner page.

While it is not possible to eliminate the risk of COVID-19 infection completely (see Statement of Responsibility), each one of us as students, faculty and staff must take significant steps to help stop the risk and spread of COVID-19 infection by persistently protecting and caring for our own and others’ health and safety.

That expectation of care is detailed in the University’s Community Covenant of Care (updated for fall 2021). All members of our on-campus community are expected to follow the Covenant of Care.

Campus events should follow all campus mitigation expectations, including masking, physical distancing and good hygiene. Events that bring guests on campus should be coordinated with area supervisors, including your chair, academic dean or vice president for your area.

Events that include food should have extra precautions in place to reduce transmission during food consumption, where individuals are not wearing masks. This can include offering food consumption outdoors or allowing for greater physical distancing when indoors.

Campus guests are expected to follow University mitigation steps including:

• Completing a self-screen for symptoms and exposure before accessing the campus
• Wearing masks where required and/or appropriate

Masks are currently required for all individuals when indoors.

Timeframe: Through Dec. 16, 2021

All students, employees and visitors to campus will be required to wear masks in the public spaces inside Andrews University campus buildings regardless of vaccination status.

Residence Hall Students: Masks may be removed inside your own room when only you and roommates are present, but you should plan to wear masks in indoor public spaces in the residence halls.
Classrooms: Masks should be worn in all classroom settings. Faculty may opt for a face shield or other face covering when teaching.
Meals in Terrace Café, Gazebo: Masks may be removed while you are eating and drinking but should be worn at all other times in indoor public dining areas.
On-Campus Work: Masks should be worn at all times when inside and may be removed only if you are working alone or are able to physically distance consistently.
In Vehicles: If you’re traveling with others who are not part of your immediate home or University housing in public or private vehicles, masks should be worn.

Where possible, especially in indoor group activities, the campus is encouraged to practice physical distancing to help reduce the risk of transmission. University functions with fixed seating (classes, Chapel, etc.) will not automatically have spaced seating (though where possible, it is still encouraged).

In addition to the availability of approved vaccines and COVID-19 safety protocols—physical distancing, good hygiene and wearing a face mask—we also encourage you to enhance your wellness by taking day-to-day actions that can make a difference. Read more here.
 

Students and employees who meet the following requirements are expected to complete a monthly COVID-19 test:

• Are physically on campus or living in the local area and
• Have not yet been vaccinated or do not have acquired immunity through a previous COVID-19 infection

Individuals are encouraged to test around the same time each month (such as the end of each month) to maintain a monthly testing schedule. The Berrien County Health Department maintains a list of testing options, including free rapid tests, here.

To help manage this expectation of routine COVID-19 testing, the University will randomly select a portion of the students and employees in this category to submit records of a monthly test.

Individuals should assess their symptoms and exposures every day before accessing the campus.

This self-assessment should include:

• Screening for symptoms:
  • Acute loss of taste or smell
  • New and/or unexplained cough/sore throat/congestion or runny nose
  • New and/or unexplained digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain
  • New and/or unexplained fatigue, muscle or body aches
  • Fever/chills (100.4 or higher)
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Screening for exposure
  • Close contact with a confirmed/probable COVID-19 case

Individuals should report any symptoms, exposures, or positive tests through Campus Clear. The campus is not required to submit a daily report of “No symptoms”. Individuals who are experiencing vaccine related symptoms within 72hours of receiving a vaccine dose do not need to report the symptoms.

More information on symptom monitoring and case management is available through the University’s Case Management Guide.

Due to the potential for prolonged exposure risk through travel, the University has established travel protocols based on an individual’s vaccination status and the type of travel. These travel protocols apply to employees, students, and travel volunteers/guests ages 12 and older.

Vaccinated/Acquired Immunity
Vaccinated students and employees (or students/employees who have acquired immunity from a previous infection and have completed isolation) are permitted to participate in University-sponsored travel. For example, such persons may engage in approved academic-related travel, such as field trips, class trips and study tours. Established COVID-19 protocols, such as wearing masks, remain in place.

Unvaccinated/No Acquired Immunity
Unvaccinated employees shall not engage in University-sponsored travel. Day travel by unvaccinated employees for essential work may be approved in exceptional cases through the relevant administrative office.

Unvaccinated students shall not participate in any academic-related overnight field trips or study tours. However, students who are unvaccinated may participate in approved academic day trips such as field trips or class trips if the trips are for the current and entire class in which the students are enrolled.

Andrews University continues to respect and support the decision of students and employees to not take the vaccine because of medical reasons or religious convictions. Students and University employees may email the Office of the Provost at provostoffice@andrews.edu to request exemption from the vaccinated/acquired immunity travel requirements, if necessary. Those requesting a medical variance should be prepared to provide the Office of the Provost with; documentation from a physician regarding the contraindication for the vaccine, as well as alternate mitigation plans from the trip organizer (such as a negative COVID-19 diagnostic test no earlier than 3-days prior to the trip departure and a single occupancy hotel room).