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. 

The University also provides refill stations for individual use disinfectant cleaner bottles. Department bottles can be refilled through Custodial. The stations for individual refill are located at:

• Buller Hall - Behavioral Sciences
• Halenz Hall - Chemistry
• Seminary - Dean's Office

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 optional throughout the entire campus.

Please note that if a faculty, staff member or student feels uncomfortable or unsafe when interacting with students and others in a classroom or another confined space on campus (or for an extended trip in a University vehicle off campus), then those individuals do have the right to ask that a mask be worn by others in those spaces, but those individuals may not mandate mask usage.

Timeframe: Protocols will remain in place and will be reviewed for any changes.

In addition to the availability of approved vaccines and COVID-19 safety protocols—physical distancing, good hygiene and wearing a face mask (optional)—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.

Domestic Employee Travel

Local Travel:
Employees traveling on local day-trips (within an 80-mile radius of Berrien Springs, MI) may travel for essential work as approved by their supervisor.

Outside the Local Area:
Employees who are either fully vaccinated or have acquired immunity are permitted to participate in University-sponsored or approved work-related travel outside of the local area. Established COVID-19 protocols, such as wearing masks, remain in place. For the specific purpose of travel, acquired immunity is defined as: having completed the required isolation and that the positive COVID-19 test occurred within 90 days of the travel, including the return date.

Day travel outside the local area by unvaccinated employees, who do not have acquired immunity, for essential work may be approved in exceptional cases through the Office of the Provost.
 

Domestic Employee Travel with Students

Overnight Travel: 
Students and employees (faculty/staff) who are either fully vaccinated or have acquired immunity are permitted to participate in University-sponsored domestic travel. For example, such persons may engage in approved academic-related travel, such as overnight field trips, class trips and study tours. Established COVID-19 protocols, such as wearing masks, remain in place. For the specific purpose of travel, acquired immunity is defined as: having completed the required isolation and that the positive Covid test occurred within 90 days of the travel, including the return date.

Unvaccinated students or employees (faculty/staff), who do not have acquired immunity, shall not participate in any academic-related overnight trips.

Day Trips:
Students who are cleared to attend in-person classes may also participate in approved academic day trips (such as field trips or class trips) if the trips are for the currently enrolled students in a particular class and the students are going on the field trip or class trip together as a class. 

International Travel
Students and employees must be fully vaccinated to travel. Those with only acquired immunity will not be permitted to participate in University-sponsored international travel.

Limited Variance
While 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, such decisions will not normally be considered as a valid basis for exceptions to travel requirements. Students and University employees may email the Office of the Provost at provostoffice@andrews.edu to request exemption from the vaccinated/acquired immunity travel requirement if there is an exceptional reason for the request. This request must be submitted at least one week prior to making travel arrangements (flights, hotels, etc.). 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). However, the final decision on whether the variance is accepted will up to the University in consultation with the Office of Risk Management. Due to the increased complexity and risk attached to international travel, exemptions for international travel are very unlikely to be approved.