A message from EWU President Shari McMahan:
Campus Community,
The start of the ‘22-’23 academic year is quickly approaching and we are looking forward to the return of students and the energy they bring to all campus locations. The fall schedule includes a full slate of inspiring in-person classes, exciting events and activities, and opportunities to cheer on student athletes. I am confident we can do all of these things together while ensuring that our community stays Eagle Strong. With this in mind, please take a few minutes to review the various steps you can take to stay healthy, familiarize yourself with our current Covid-19 protocols and requirements, and learn more about resources available to you.
While transmission rates are currently low in our region, taking the following steps will support the health and safety of all members of the Eagle Family:
- Stay home if you are sick: If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID, such as a sore throat, fever, or cough, please stay home and get tested for COVID. If you need a COVID test, please visit EWU’s testing website for information about how to obtain a free test. We encourage all faculty, students, and staff to have some at-home tests on-hand.
- Get vaccinated: stay up to date with your COVID vaccines. EWU requires all students and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved religious or medical exemption. If you have not submitted your vaccination information to Med+Proctor, you must provide proof of vaccination before the 10th day of the term or be subject to enforcement actions per EWU policies. Please visit this website for instructions on how to do so. If you have already been fully vaccinated, we recommend that you consider getting a booster shot to reduce your risk. More information about booster shots is available here. Free vaccinations will also be available on campus during Neighborfest from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sept. 23, on the campus mall.
- Masks are optional: Masks are not required on campus except for inside our healthcare facilities or if someone has been exposed to the virus, per CDC guidelines. We encourage you to continue wearing masks if you would like to do so. Please be understanding, respectful and considerate of individual choices to mask or not mask. More information about masks is available here.
- Report positive cases: if you are aware of someone on campus who is being tested for or has Covid-19, please immediately report this information to EWU’s Contact Tracing Team at ewu.edu/reportcovid. Information about isolation protocols for people who have tested positive for COVID will be provided. According to the current CDC guidance, people who test positive for COVID must isolate themselves for five days from the date of the onset of symptoms or positive test and then wear a mask when around others for an additional five days. The isolation period may be extended if someone continues to have a fever or their symptoms have not improved by the fifth day. For students who reside on campus, you will be moved to another building during your isolation period.
- COVID exposure: if you have been exposed to COVID and do not have any symptoms, the CDC now states that you wear a mask for 10 days when around others and get tested for COVID on the sixth day following the exposure. Individuals are no longer required to quarantine. The campus community can learn more about EWU’s community COVID rates on EWU’s COVID statistics website.
For more information about EWU’s COVID protocols or to submit a question/concern, please visit ewu.edu/coronavirus.
As we launch into the academic year, please remember that each of us has the opportunity to make a positive difference for someone else in our community by simply extending care and kindness. EWU is known to be a welcoming, tight-knit community, and I hope you will join me in demonstrating this every day.
I look forward to seeing you on-campus and appreciate all you do to make our EWU community stronger!
Shari
| Shari McMahan, PhD President EWU |
