COVID-19 Protocols for the Fall Semester

To the Case Western Reserve Community:

As you finalize preparations for the start of the fall semester Monday, we want to offer an overview of the university’s current COVID-19 protocols—with this familiar caveat: Some may change in response to new developments and public health guidance. 

COVID-19 Vaccination: All members of the university community are expected to participate in the vaccine verification process detailed in our July 15 message. As of this writing, 99 percent of you have complied, a testament to your collective commitment to a safe and health campus.

Daily Health Attestation: Effective Monday, Aug. 23, all unvaccinated faculty, staff, and students—including those with accommodations—must complete the Daily Health Attestation. 

COVID-19 Symptoms: If you experience COVID-19 symptoms, remain home or in your residence hall. Even fully vaccinated individuals can contract COVID-19—and also transmit it to others. Students with symptoms should contact University Health and Counseling Services (216.368.2450); faculty and staff with symptoms should contact their primary care providers.

COVID-19 Surveillance Testing: All members of the campus community must participate in three consecutive weeks of surveillance testing (one test per week) by Friday, Sept. 10. (Those who participated in baseline surveillance testing earlier this summer have already met this requirement.)

Masks: Everyone on campus must wear masks indoors, except when alone in a campus workspace—or, for students living on campus, in their residence hall room (alone or with roommates). Masks may be removed indoors when dining, but we strongly encourage you to (a) put the mask back on whenever not actively eating or drinking; (b) maintain social distance from others during the meal; and (c) eat outdoors whenever possible. Masks are not required outdoors except when individuals are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance from one another.

Domestic Travel, Testing & Quarantines: As a reminder, members of the campus community no longer must request exceptions for university-sponsored travel within the U.S. Vaccinated individuals do not have to participate in a COVID-19 test or seven-day quarantine upon their return from other states, but unvaccinated individuals must do both.

International Travel, Testing & Quarantines: Pre-approval for university-sponsored international travel is required for all faculty, staff and students. Additional details regarding the application process will be provided in a subsequent communication; for now, please know that vaccinated individuals must participate in COVID-19 testing upon their return; unvaccinated individual must participate in COVID-19 testing and quarantine for seven days.

Study Abroad: Requests involving such programs should be directed to the Center for International Affairs.

Visitors: Visitors may come to campus but must comply with university policies while here. Visitors may not stay on campus overnight.

Thank you again for all of your exceptional efforts to maintain the health and safety of the campus community. We look forward to seeing all of you on campus Monday.

Eric W. Kaler
President

Ben Vinson III
Provost and Executive Vice President