Clarification on Masking, Vaccination, and Quarantine
A Message from the Provost
I would like to provide clarity in regards to masking, vaccination, and quarantine.
In the event of a positive test result:
- Students may be required to isolate off-campus depending on room availability (at the student’s expense and including meals) for the time consistent with best recommendations of local and state health officials at that time. These recommendations may also include an additional negative PCR test (at the expense of the student) before returning to campus for courses and activities.
In case of exposure to a positive case, the following guidelines apply:
- Vaccinated persons will NOT need to quarantine.
- Individuals who had a positive test within the last 90 days (or consistent with current recommendations) will NOT need to quarantine.
- Masked individuals (when exposed to the positive case) will NOT need to quarantine (think a classroom).
- Those who were not masked(at time of exposure), and are unvaccinated WILL need to quarantine for 14 days; a negative test during this time does NOT release one from quarantine. This quarantine MAY be off-campus depending on room availability and if off-campus, this will be at the expense of the student.
- Roommates who are unvaccinated WILL need to quarantine.
- Suitemates MAY need to quarantine. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Remember our 3 W’s – Wash (your hands), Wear (your mask indoors), and Watch (your distance).
Take care,
Dr. Travis Feezell
Provost
Mask Mandate
A Message from the Provost
As many of you are aware, the Delta variant has had an impact on Gaston County over the last few weeks, with a particular increase in the numbers of positive cases and hospitalizations. This has been of concern given our strongest desire to continue full and comprehensive in-person activities on our campus in the coming academic year. In conversation with our Gaston County Health Department partners and given the need to continue exposure contact tracing, which can have a significant impact upon our campus, we have made the decision below to help mitigate transmission on our campus in the least burdensome way. Moreover, the recent release of guidelines from the NCAA regarding athletics activities also has influenced our mitigating strategies.
Beginning Tuesday, August 10th, and until further notice, all employees, students, and visitors to campus will be required to wear a face mask in congregating public spaces inside buildings, regardless of whether they are fully vaccinated or not. This includes classrooms, meeting rooms, dining spaces (unless eating), locker rooms, and other indoor congregating spaces. lndividuals may remove their mask in a personal office, residence hall, or meeting space while alone or when a physical distance of six feet can be maintained. Masks are required for all individuals in personal spaces and college-owned vehicles (except residence hall rooms) when six feet of separation cannot be maintained, regardless of immunization status.
Classroom seating will generally be at three feet of distance, thus a mask will be required; however, given this masking, contact tracing will NOT be required in classroom settings. Additionally, instructors may remove their mask while teaching/lecturing if six feet of distancing is maintained.
Guidelines from the monastic community concerning Mass will be forthcoming.
We know that being together is at the heart of our campus experience. This will allow us to continue to be with one another and to protect the health of our community. As before, we will continue to keep you updated. And a reminder of our 3 W’s! Wash, wear a mask, watch your distance.
Best,
Dr. Travis Feezell
Provost
