COVID-19 Update and 2022 Fall Semester Policies

The following email was sent to the campus community from Randolph President Sue Ott Rowlands on August 10, 2022.

Dear Randolph College community members,

As we near the beginning of the academic year, we felt it important to provide an update regarding the College’s ongoing management of COVID-19. The COVID-19 landscape has shifted and changed since this pandemic began in 2020, and while the virus is still prevalent throughout the nation, we are all better equipped to deal with its management and mitigation.

Therefore, the COVID-19 Task Force has made several recommendations for change for the coming year. Please note that the task force will continue to monitor the pandemic and its effect on our campus and locality and could revisit these policies should circumstances change.

• Though we still recommend students, faculty, and staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, we will no longer require this for our community members.
• We support and encourage anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask to do so. We recommend that all of our community members follow the CDC guidelines in terms of masking. Masks are available in the Health Center.
• If you feel sick or have COVID-19 symptoms, please do not go to class or work. The Health Center will provide testing for students who are symptomatic or have direct exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual. Testing will not be available for faculty and staff. Tests are readily available throughout the community and are covered by most insurance plans.
• Those with a positive COVID-19 test should isolate for five days. We strongly encourage students to return home for their isolation period. Students unable to return home may be able to move to on-campus isolation space as available.
• Communication is vital should you test positive. Employees should notify their supervisor and students should notify the Health Center as soon as possible. I encourage our faculty to continue to be understanding of students who are unable to attend class due to sickness.
• Students, faculty, and staff may return to class/work on the sixth day following a positive test as long as they are no longer symptomatic. Masks are required on campus until day 10 following the positive test.
• As always, please see the College’s COVID-19 website for updates and recommendations.

It is thanks to the hard work and commitment of this community that Randolph was able to successfully weather the past years of the pandemic. And while things are certainly different now, we must continue to be vigilant and understanding in order to protect our community. I look forward to seeing everyone on campus in person and wish you all the best of luck for the coming school year!

My best,

Sue Ott Rowlands