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8/17/2022

TO:  Fayette Campus Students, Faculty and Staff
SUBJECT:  President’s Communication – Public Health and Safety Guidelines

Fayette Campus Students, Faculty and Staff,

As the beginning of Session One nears, it’s important to remember that public health and safety is every Upper Iowa University community member’s responsibility. Please follow the guidelines below to do your part in ensuring that UIU continues to be a safe place to learn, live, and work.

Vaccinations & Boosters

  • Before returning to campus, please ensure your COVID-19 vaccinations and recommended boosters are up to date. The Center for Disease Control maintains that people are best protected from severe COVID-19 illness when they stay up to date with their vaccinations and boosters. The number of recommended boosters depends on age, general health, and other variables. Visit the CDC website to learn more.
  • While the COVID-19 vaccine is not required at UIU, it is encouraged. If you are not vaccinated, please consider doing so.
  • To learn more about where to find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, visit https://www.vaccines.gov/.

Mask Requirements

  • UIU does not require wearing masks or face coverings on the Fayette Campus except in specific environments or if individuals have tested positive for COVID or are experiencing COVID-related symptoms. Any individual is welcome to wear masks at any point if they wish.

COVID Exposure and Symptoms

  • Individuals feeling ill or experiencing COVID-related symptoms should get tested at Scott Pharmacy or another testing location. Do not attend in-person classes, work, fitness centers, or social gatherings until you feel well. If you are a student and cannot ask someone to bring you meals, please contact your RA or Student Life to make meal arrangements. Students should communicate with their advisor and faculty. Employees should speak with their supervisor.
  • If you test positive for COVID, take the following steps:
    • Stay in your residence except for medical reasons and wear a mask around others.
    • Notify your professors and/or supervisors. If you are a student-athlete, notify your coach and/or athletic training staff. If you are in a UIU residence hall, notify your RA.
    • If a student, contact the Care Team by emailing [email protected]. The Care Team consists of a dedicated group of UIU staff who will be in touch with you to help answer questions and support your needs. Please only contact the Care Team if you have tested positive for COVID or have questions related to COVID-related quarantine.
    • Inform close contacts that they may have been exposed and should seek testing
    • Isolate for at least five days until symptoms improve and no fever is present for 24 hours. If off-campus isolation is possible, please do so. If off-campus isolation isn’t possible, you will isolate yourself in your residence hall or be temporarily relocated to a designated residential area.
    • Continue to wear a mask for ten whole days after testing positive.
  • Isolation and quarantine guidelines can vary depending on if you are up-to-date on vaccinations. Please consult CDC guidelines or the Quarantine & Isolation Calculator to determine your required actions.

Thank you for your attention to these guidelines. Above all else, I ask that your actions reflect UIU’s core value of “Respect.” It is our responsibility to ensure a healthy and safe environment for members of our UIU community; even though this message has focused on COVID, this guidance applies to any significant health concern. If you are sick, think about how it could affect others before coming to class or work. If we take reasonable precautions, all of us will be healthier and safer from an avoidable illness.

The UIU administrative team and I are excited to join you in what we know will be a terrific year at the Fayette Campus. Go Peacocks!

Sincerely,

Bill

William R. Duffy II, Ed.D., Ed.S.
President