June 8, 2021
Dear Students,
Our entire CUA community is excited to resume normal operations for the Fall 2021 semester. The University will continue to monitor local and national trends and data on the transmission and spread of COVID-19 and will continue to be guided by recommendations from the CDC and DC Dept. of Health. An important first step ahead of fall is to collect information from all students relating to their Vaccination Status.
As such, all students (graduate, law and undergraduate) are required to complete a COVID-19 Vaccination Status form through the CUA Student Health Portal by July 31, 2021. Since you will provide details on the type of vaccine and dates administered, please complete the status form and upload a copy of your vaccination card (using the “Document Upload” feature of the health portal) as soon as you are fully vaccinated. Students who are not planning on getting vaccinated must still complete the status form.
Based on current CDC and DC Department of Health guidance, individuals who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 must continue to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing practices in all indoor settings and any outdoor setting where both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals may be. It is too early to project what the guidance will be at the start of the fall semester, but as of now, unvaccinated individuals will be required to quarantine and participate in routine surveillance testing during the fall semester.
By mid-June, the COVID-19 website FAQs for students and parents will be updated for the fall semester. In addition to this resource, students and families should feel free to contact the Office of the Dean of Students at cua-deanofstudents@cua.edu with questions or concerns.
Should you need assistance in finding locations across the US where COVID-19 vaccines are administered, use this locator tool offered by the CDC. Other helpful COVID-19 resources can be found on the COVID-19 Updates page. If you have any questions regarding the COVID-19 Vaccination Status form, please contact Student Health Services at: cua-studenthealth@cua.edu.
Sincerely,
Jonathan C. Sawyer
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students
May 21, 2021
Please be advised that as the University transitions to more relaxed COVID protocols, facilities will be making adjustments in cleaning procedures and staffing. The first step was the release of the overnight cleaning contractors. The next step will be adjusting cleaning schedules, which includes staffing the overnight shift with in-house staff for the cleaning of academic and administrative buildings.
The intense cleaning protocols of sanitizing classrooms between all classes is no longer needed. Classrooms will be cleaned and sanitized daily. Facilities staff will be resetting all classrooms back to full capacity over the summer and in preparation of the fall semester. As this process is underway, individuals should not move any classroom furniture without contacting Facilities first (x5121 or CUA-FAS@cua.edu).
The process of hanging door tags when offices are cleaned will continue as long as the University’s COVID Work from Home Policy is in place (currently, through July 2). In an effort to minimize the waste and cost of these tags, we ask that when you work in an office on campus, you remove the tag and place it on the doorknob inside the office. This will signify that the space was used and needs cleaning. Once cleaning is complete they will update the door tag and rehang on the outside of the door on their way out.
The additional wall mounted hand sanitizers and disinfectant stations that were installed in all campus buildings will remain in place and be serviced regularly. Please remember that the disinfectant stations include a spray bottle of disinfectant and paper towels to be shared among everyone in the building so be sure to return after each use.
All of these protocols are being relaxed in conjunction with evolving health guidance. The pandemic continues to be monitored closely, and the University is prepared to restore more strict protocols if it becomes necessary in the future.
Facilities staff thank the community for their support and cooperation throughout the past 15 months, and as we move forward toward more “normal” operations.
May 21, 2021
Beginning on Monday, May 24, those who are fully vaccinated will not be required to wear masks on campus as long as they are not exhibiting any symptoms for COVID-19. Anyone showing any symptoms of COVID-19 (whether they are vaccinated or not) should remain at home and consult their healthcare provider.
In accordance with new District guidelines — to protect themselves and those in our community who are unable to receive the vaccine — those who have not been vaccinated should continue to wear a mask at all times in the District (including on campus; unless they are at home, in their personal offices, or actively eating or drinking).
Masks are still required for everyone on public transportation, and by some businesses in the District. Student Health Services will still require all visitors to wear masks in their office.
The District has also lifted the restrictions on gatherings, including restrictions on capacity, density, and distance. As of May 24, the University will follow the new guidelines and will no longer require distancing in classrooms, gathering spaces, and at events. There are likely to be circumstances in which some of our COVID-informed practices, such as distancing, will be adapted or continued in some manner. Notice will be given in such circumstances.
Individuals planning gatherings on campus should continue to work with the Events, Environmental Health and Safety, and Registrar offices (as appropriate) to ensure their events are being planned safely.
Evolving public health guidance indicates that certain cleaning protocols put in place at the outset of the pandemic are no longer required to such degree. Consequently, the University is implementing adjustments to the intensity and frequency of some of the protocols.
All are urged to exercise charity and common sense as the community returns to pre-COVID practices. COVID itself remains in circulation and remains dangerous, so the University continues to urge those who have not been vaccinated to do so in any of the many locations where they are available.
Previously, the best way to be protected from COVID was to wear a mask, social distance, and wash hands frequently. Now, the best way to protect yourself is to be fully vaccinated (and continue to wash your hands).
May 5, 2021
Dear Members of the University Community,
Next week we will celebrate an in-person commencement for the Class of 2021. We will honor the achievements of our graduates, and of this community. Holding an in-person event of this magnitude is a huge achievement for a University that was entirely virtual just one year ago. We’ve come a long way.
As we look forward to next fall, there are many reasons to hope we can resume many aspects of University life as we knew it pre-Covid.
Read the full letter from President John Garvey
April 29, 2021
Beginning on Saturday, May 1, the District will transition to the use of 11 high-capacity, walk-up, no appointment needed vaccinations sites. The walk-up sites are in addition to the pharmacies, clinics, and healthcare providers that are also administering the vaccines citywide. These sites will operate their own scheduling systems. More information will be available at vaccinefinder.org.
Walk-up sites will be used for first doses of the vaccines. If you receive a vaccine that requires a second dose, you will still make an appointment for that dose.
District residents (including Catholic University students who will remain in the area after Commencement) are encouraged to make use of these walk-up sites and receive their vaccinations.
All eligible Marylanders can immediately book an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by visiting covidvax.maryland.gov or by calling the COVID19 Vaccination Support Center at 855-634-6829. Pre-registration will end today. By the end of the day on April 30, all residents who have already pre-registered will be contacted for an appointment.
Everyone in Virginia age 16 or older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 Vaccine now. Visit vaccinate.virginia.gov/ to learn how to sign up for an appointment.
March 10, 2021
Dear Members of the University Community,
One year ago the Catholic University community began to respond to the threat of COVID-19 with a few goals in mind. First, we sought to keep our community safe. Moving our entire educational enterprise online and closing down our campus were necessary components of our action plan.
Our second goal was to get back together as soon as was safely possible. We began to do this in a stepwise fashion, first by inviting freshmen to campus in the fall, and the entire student body this spring. Even though many classes remained online, we were able to provide hybrid remote and in-person instruction thanks to the installation of new technology in our classrooms, the reconfiguration of our classrooms to allow for social distancing, the addition of sneeze guards, and new sanitizing protocols that provide a high level of protection against the virus. Our daily health checker and our on-campus testing program have helped us monitor the presence of COVID on campus and keep it in check.
I am happy to announce that Catholic University is ready to take the next step – a return to full in-person instruction beginning Fall 2021.
Read the full letter from President John Garvey
May 28, 2020
Focused working groups have been meeting since the beginning of March to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the University.
The working groups continue to monitor the latest guidance being presented by the CDC and District of Columbia.
Employees who have specific questions or concerns about the pandemic and its effects on the University should contact their direct supervisor so that concerns can be forwarded to vice presidents and/or their representatives on the working groups. They can also send questions or suggestions to safereturnideas@cua.edu.
Previous updates issued by Catholic University on the COVID-19 outbreak.
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