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Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,

I write today to share ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ’s public health plans for fall 2022, which begins with first-year student arrival on Sunday, Aug. 21. These measures are informed by experience, and we believe they are the best path forward to another successful semester.

Today’s public-health toolkit includes safe and effective vaccines and treatments that have helped colleges and universities to conduct in-person instruction safely. As a result, the University is transitioning to a new phase of COVID-19 management. These plans could change, however, based on recommendations from public health departments and on campus conditions. 

Vaccines and boosters
¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ continues to require all students and employees to complete a primary COVID-19 vaccine series and one booster when they are eligible, unless they have obtained a medical or religious exemption. Anyone who has not received all recommended boosters of a COVID-19 vaccine for which they are eligible will be required to quarantine for at least five days if they are in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Testing
¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ strongly recommends pre-arrival testing for all students. Those who test positive are asked not to travel to campus until isolation is complete. Because rapid tests are readily available at local stores and pharmacies and every student is eligible to request eight free tests through the U.S. government, there are no plans at this time for required surveillance testing. Students should begin masking at the first sign of symptoms and seek testing, which is also available through Student Health Services.

Students who test positive via an at-home rapid antigen test when Student Health Services is not open must isolate in place and contact Student Health Services the next business day. Those who need care after hours or on the weekend will access urgent care or the emergency department at Community Memorial Hospital. 

Masking
¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ remains a mask friendly campus and supports those who choose to wear a mask in spaces where they are not required. Members of the community may ask others to wear a mask when in close proximity or in small, enclosed spaces. We have asked everyone to carry a mask with them at all times and be respectful of requests.

Anyone with a positive test, and all close contacts, are required to wear a well-fitting mask for a period of 10 days. 

Masks are also required:

• In healthcare settings, including at Student Health Services
• In classes, labs, offices, or studios, if a faculty or staff member requires it
• On public transportation, including the ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ Cruiser
• At large gatherings, if required by the organizer
• In local businesses, if required at their discretion

Masks are recommended:

• For individuals with vaccination exemptions when within 6 feet of another person
• For high-risk individuals when within 6 feet of another person
• At large gatherings when physical distancing may not be possible

Isolation and quarantine
Following a positive COVID-19 test, faculty, staff, and students will be required to isolate for at least five days. Based on the pattern of illness with current variants, however, isolation is anticipated to be 10 days. Those in isolation may leave isolation before day 10 if symptoms are improving, they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication, and they can show a negative rapid antigen test on or after day six.

As in prior semesters, students who live within 300 miles are expected to return home if they are able to travel (via private vehicle) and safely isolate there. All other students will be expected to isolate in place, in their room. Accommodations will be made for students whose on-campus roommates have documented pre-existing medical conditions that preclude them from isolating with a roommate who has tested positive. 

Quarantine
Anyone who tests positive will be instructed to directly notify close contacts, as ¸Ô±¾ÊÓƵ and Madison County are no longer conducting formal contact tracing. Close contacts are defined as being within 6 feet of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes in a 24-hour period starting two days before symptoms began.