COVID-19: Updates and Information

Is the COVID vaccine required for students and/or employees?

The COVID vaccine is not required* — but is strongly recommended to help keep our community safe. Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself and our community from COVID-19. 

*It is important to note that some academic programs have clinical site placements and require vaccination in order to be permitted onsite for the clinical experience. The College must follow all requirements established by these clinical placement sites. Students should contact their program director if they have any questions.

Do I have to wear a face covering?

The College will maintain our mask-optional policy. However:

• Faculty may request that masks continue to be worn in classrooms and other areas being used for active academic instruction.
• Staff members with individual offices and workspaces may request that masks be worn in those areas.
• Students may request masks be worn when they are indoors in small spaces (such as the Collaboration Rooms in the Allen House and the Student Success Center) or during meetings of specific groups (such as study groups or club meetings).

We expect all requests for masking to be honored. Faculty and staff will make every effort to provide advanced notice of these requests. Please keep a mask with you for quick compliance if needed. A limited supply of masks will be kept in the pantry for those with limited resources. 

Will social distancing be required?

Social distancing will not be required. Classrooms and all spaces on campus will be back to full capacity.

Will the College require symptom monitoring?

No. We will rely on each member of the campus community to respond appropriately to exposures and positive test results in accordance with CDC guidelines. Symptoms of COVID-19 | CDC

What happens if I am symptomatic?

If you develop symptoms of COVD-19, please follow CDC guidelines: What to Do If You Are Sick | CDC

What happens if I am exposed to someone with COVID-19?

We will no longer be doing independent contact tracing. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please follow the CDC guidelines: COVID-19 Contact Tracing | CDC

What is considered an exposure to COVID-19?

According to the CDC, a close contact exposure is when you are within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period. See: How to Determine a Close Contact for COVID-19 | CDC

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive for COVID-19, you are expected to isolate and notify close contacts, using the guidance offered by the CDC. See: How to Talk to Close Contacts | CDC

Students:

• If you are a traditional student or a residential SAGE student, please seek medical treatment in Health Services or from your healthcare provider if necessary.
• If you are a non-residential SAGE student, you should seek medical attention from your healthcare provider if necessary.
• If you are a residential student, please report positive cases to Health Services.
• Residential students are encouraged to isolate off campus. Residents are permitted to isolate in the residence halls if they are not able to isolate off campus.
• If you have external learning experiences, please report positive cases to your preceptor and/or your CCC field supervisor as required by the site and/or program.

Employees:

• If you test positive for COVID-19, you should isolate at home. Do not come to campus.
• Seek medical attention from your healthcare provider if necessary.
• You do not need to report positive cases to the college. Please work with your supervisor for work options during isolation.

See “What do I do if I have to quarantine or isolate?” for more.

What do I do if I have to quarantine or isolate?

Students:

• Students should contact their instructor for questions on how to access academic material (such as lectures) and complete assignments during such absences. 
• Absence notifications from the Vice President of Student Success and Engagement/Dean of Students are not required for these absences. 

The full Attendance & COVID-19 policy can be found on the Syllabus course in Canvas. 

Employees:

• If you are experiencing symptoms and are unable to work due to illness, sick leave policies may apply. Eligible employees should enter their sick leave in ADP, the College’s payroll system.
• If you are isolating due to a positive COVID-19 test and feel well enough to work, please contact your supervisor regarding the availability of remote work. If remote work is not available, benefit time (vacation, floating holiday, or personal time) should be used.

Can I be tested for COVID-19 on-campus?

• If you are a traditional student or a SAGE student living in the residence halls and symptomatic, you can be tested for COVID-19 in Health Services, regardless of your vaccination status.
• If you are a SAGE commuter student or employee, please contact your primary care physician or utilize off-campus testing sites.

Will the College still contact trace?

We will NO LONGER be doing independent contact tracing, unless an outbreak in a residence hall requires it.

• Residential students should report positive cases to Health Services.
• Commuter students* and employees are no longer required to let us know if they have tested positive or have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus
• It is your personal responsibility to report any exposures to your close contacts. See CDC guidelines about personal contact tracing.

* Students with external learning experiences should report their positive cases to their preceptor and/or their CCC field supervisor.

Is Cedar Crest still requiring surveillance testing?

We are no longer administering surveillance testing.

Requirements for surveillance testing of athletes is subject to the requirements of the NCAA and/or the appropriate athletic conference. Athletes should direct questions regarding athletic COVID protocols to the Athletics Department or the athletic training staff. 

Is the College collecting vaccination information?

No. Students* are no longer required to report their vaccination status. However, students and employees can send a picture of their vaccine card (front and back with name and dates clearly visible) to vaccinationcard@cedarcrest.edu. This information will be kept confidential and will be used to help provide the College with vaccination data for future decision making.

*Student-athletes and students enrolled in programs with clinical placements may have different requirements for vaccinations. Please check with your coach or program director.

What do I do if I am coming back from international travel?

Please follow all CDC guidelines regarding international travel: Travel | CDC

What do I need to do if I am a non-U.S. citizen, nonimmigrant passenger arriving from a foreign country to the United States by air?

Please follow all CDC guidelines for international air travel here: Non-U.S. Citizen, Non-U.S. Immigrants: Travel to and from the United States | CDC

Is re-entry testing required for the fall?

No, students are not required to take a COVID-19 re-entry test.

Will there be any dining restrictions? 

Both Canova Commons and the Falcon’s Nest will be fully operational this fall. Mobile ordering remains in place in the Falcon’s Nest and to-go containers will continue to be provided to students on the dining plan. 

Will clubs and organizations be able to meet in-person and hold events?

Yes. Clubs and organizations must use Astra to schedule meetings and events. You can contact the Office of Student Activities and Campus Recreation at osa@cedarcrest.edu for more information.

I’m a student-athlete. Do I have to follow different rules or guidelines?

Guidance for student-athletes will be determined by the NCAA and our athletic conference. The Athletic Department will notify student-athletes of athletic policies as they become available.

What should I do if I have a fieldwork or experiential learning placement that has different requirements?

If you are learning at an off-campus fieldwork site, like a school or hospital, you should follow the masking policy, isolation, and other COVID-19 policies of the site. 

What happens if I have to miss class due to isolation or quarantine?

Like with any other absence for illness, you should communicate directly with your professors if you miss classes for reasons related to COVID-19.

If you are absent for a high-stakes event — such as a midterm or final exam; for 2 or more consecutive class meetings (or 1 class meeting for accelerated weekend classes or classes that meet once-per-week) — faculty may require you to obtain absence notification through the Dean of Students. If your professors ask for an Absence Verification, you may request one online. /p>

Are residential students allowed to have guests in the residence halls? 

Yes, students will be permitted to have non-Cedar Crest visitors in the residence halls.

Do residential students have to wear face coverings in public spaces in the residence halls? 

No, our campus is mask optional.

Will there be capacity limits for bathrooms, lobbies, kitchens, and laundry rooms? 

No. Residential students will be able to fully utilize spaces in the residence halls.

How will I eat and use the restroom if I’m isolating or quarantining my room?

If you test positive for COVID-19 and choose to remain in your room during your isolation period, you are permitted to leave to get meals and use restroom facilities.

• During isolation, meals should be take-out and eaten in your room, or eaten outside when weather permits.
• When out of your room, you are required to follow CDC masking guidance.