COVID-19 Protocol Updates

Friends,

As the CDC and Michigan begin to modify expectations related to vaccination and case trends, I wanted to take a moment to highlight the impact on University COVID-19 guidelines and expectations.

Please note that as we continue to see further changes from the CDC/Michigan through the summer, our own COVID-19 protocols will likely be impacted as well. These changes will be communicated to the campus and also be informed by both vaccination and case data for Berrien County and our University campus.

Mask Requirements
When outdoors, individuals are not required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

When indoors, the University’s existing mask requirements will continue for the time being, where all individuals will continue to wear masks when in common spaces.

Physical Distancing & Occupancy
While the CDC ruling last week has removed physical distancing expectations for those vaccinated, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) is currently maintaining its expectations for physical distancing and occupant loads, both indoors and outdoors, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status. Following the MDHHS expectations, occupant loads and physical distancing expectations (keeping a minimum of six feet from others outside of your immediate household) will continue on campus.

#CampusClear
Currently, the Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration (MIOSHA) continues to require that employees complete a daily entry screening for symptoms and exposures, regardless of whether an individual has been vaccinated. As Andrews University continues to follow MIOSHA guidelines, while allowing for the likelihood that our employees may have summer vacation plans, Andrews University employees will be expected to complete #CampusClear reporting on any day they expect to access campus during the summer months.

On-Campus Events
At this time, specific non-academic events on campus involving on- or off-campus guests can be approved on a case-by-case basis. Individuals wishing to host an event or reserve a campus space must also receive formal approval from the COVID-19 Team. You should submit those requests at least two weeks before an event and can do that by writing to covid19@andrews.edu. Summer organizers will also be expected to provide a COVID-19 safety and mitigation plan for the event when the request is made.

Record Your Vaccinations Online
As our president and provost shared in a campus letter last week, the University’s goal for campus aligns with Michigan and the U.S.—70 percent of individuals receiving at least a first vaccination dose before COVID-19 restrictions can be fully lifted. While we do not require COVID-19 vaccinations, we strongly encourage each individual to consider receiving one as part of one’s personal commitment to the health and safety of their community and also as we work toward that 70 percent vaccination goal.

If you have received your vaccination but haven’t recorded it yet, please take a moment to do that at this link.

If you’ve not received a COVID-19 vaccination yet but are planning to do so, the Berrien County Health Department has a variety of vaccination options each week.

Thanks to each one of you for your efforts in helping keep our campus healthy and safe. In review of our quarantine/isolation case and transmission data, it is readily apparent how dedicated our entire campus has been to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Please let our COVID-19 Team know if you have any questions. Again, you can reach us by email at covid19@andrews.edu.

Cordially,

Ben Panigot
Director
Campus Safety