Attention:

Northern Vermont University is now part of Vermont State University! Please visit VermontState.edu for accurate information.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Please review our NVU During COVID-19 page for up-to-date protocols and procedures.

NOTE: The information below is archived from our spring 2020 move to remote classes, fall 2020 restart, spring 2021, summer 2021, fall 2021, and spring 2022. For updated information, click on the link above.

ARCHIVED COVID-19 INFORMATION

Fall 2022 Policies, Requirements, and Instructions

NVU looks forward to a safe and healthy fall semester. Please read below for policies we’ve put in place. 

As of March 11, 2022 NVU has implemented a mask-optional policy.

Students, staff, and faculty should feel welcome and empowered to continue to mask if they feel more comfortable doing so. Please honor those individual masking decisions as we encounter friends, family, and members of the public who feel safer masking or who are safer masking because of health conditions. 

Vaccination Requirement

The Vermont State Colleges System requires the first two rounds (or one if Johnson and Johnson) of the COVID-19 vaccination for all students enrolled at the residential colleges in the 2022-2023 Academic Year. The vaccination requirement does not apply to students who will not come on to the physical campuses for any reason during the 2022-2023 academic year, such as those who are taking classes exclusively online.  

Students must verify their vaccination by filling out this form NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19VaccinationYou will need to take a photo of both sides of your vaccination card to complete the form. Returning students in compliance with vaccine reporting during the 2021-2022 Academic Years are not required to report again. 

Our goal remains for all members of the NVU community who can be vaccinated to get vaccinated. We urge you to make every effort to complete your vaccination as soon as possible. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered in accordance with Vermont law. To request an exemption, fill out the COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Form and return it to the health centers on our campuses.

We expect all NVU community members to continue to use best health and safety practices, including wearing a mask, social distancing whenever possible, regular hand washing, and staying home if symptomatic or ill.

What To Do With Your Test Results

Visit this link to report a positive test. Do not report a negative test. You should notify any close contacts, and seek medical treatment if symptoms warrant.

If you test positive, regardless of vaccination status, you must remain isolated for a minimum of 5 days. You can leave isolation 5 days after a positive test, if:

  1. You never had COVID-19 symptoms or your symptoms have improved and you feel better, AND
  2. You have had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers, AND
  3. You wear a mask around others through day 10 after your positive test.

Questions?

If you have immediate questions, please use the form on this page: NorthernVermont.edu/Questions.

Spring 2022 Policies, Requirements, and Instructions

NVU looks forward to a safe and healthy spring semester. Please read below for policies we’ve put in place.

As of March 11, 2022 NVU has implemented a mask-optional policy.

Students, staff, and faculty should feel welcome and empowered to continue to mask if they feel more comfortable doing so. Please honor those individual masking decisions as we encounter friends, family, and members of the public who feel safer masking or who are safer masking because of health conditions.

Students, staff, and faculty may be asked to mask in some classrooms and offices. All should be prepared and ready to comply. We are a community and we must be mindful of the health and safety of our community members. Wearing a mask for a short time in a classroom, lab, or office is a small inconvenience in the overall picture of a mask-free campus.

NVU will maintain mask kiosks across both campuses until further notice. Be ready to wear a mask—even carrying one with you—when asked to do so.

See Interim President John W. Mills latest communication about masking.

Vaccination and Booster Requirement

The Vermont State Colleges System requires COVID-19 vaccination and now a booster for all students enrolled at the residential colleges in the 2021-2022 Academic Year. The safety of our students, employees, and local community members is our top priority as we continue to respond to the ongoing pandemic. NVU is requiring ALL students to receive a COVID-19 booster shot by February 1, 2022. If you are not eligible to receive a booster shot until after February 1, 2022, you are required to get a booster within 14 calendar days of your eligibility date. The vaccination requirement does not apply to students who will not come on to the physical campuses for any reason during the 2021-2022 academic year, such as those who are taking classes exclusively online. Please read Interim President John W. Mills’s message regarding COVID-19 expectations along with the notice from the VSCS Chancellor about the vaccine requirement

Students must verify their vaccination and booster by filling out this form NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19Vaccination. You will need to take a photo of both sides of your vaccination card to complete the form.

Our goal remains for all members of the NVU community who can be vaccinated to get vaccinated. We urge you to make every effort to complete your vaccination as soon as possible. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered in accordance with Vermont law. To request an exemption, fill out the COVID-19 Vaccination Medical Exemption form or the COVID-19 Vaccination Religious Exemption Form and return it to the health centers on our campuses.

We expect all NVU community members to continue to use best health and safety practices, including wearing a mask, social distancing whenever possible, regular hand washing, and staying home if symptomatic or ill.

Get Tested

Weekly testing will continue through the month of March. Those who test positive must report their test results here

Student only testing, Monday through Friday during business hours

  • Johnson Campus: Dewey Student Life Office
  • Lyndon Campus: RBC Student Life Office

Regular Wednesday PCR testing, 11:30 am – 1:15 pm (No testing week of April 4 – 8)

  • Johnson Campus: Carter Gym
  • Lyndon Campus: ASAC 100 (Moore Community Room)

Isolation for Positive Cases this Semester

NVU has adopted the new CDC guidelines for isolation periods in the event of a COVID-19 positive test. We have maintained limited separate isolation housing for residential students. In the event that COVID-19 cases outpace the room availability, we will allow for recovery in place. All isolation and recovery policies and practices will be made in consultation with the Vermont Department of Health.

What to do with your test results! Visit this link to report a positive test. Do not report a negative test. You should notify any close contacts, and seek medical treatment if symptoms warrant.

If you test positive, regardless of vaccination status, you must remain isolated for a minimum of 5 days. You can leave isolation 5 days after a positive test, if:

  1. You never had COVID-19 symptoms or your symptoms have improved and you feel better, AND
  2. You have had no fever for at least 24 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers, AND
  3. You wear a mask around others through day 10 after your positive test.

Campus Visitors

As of March 11, 2022 NVU has ended its restriction on visitors coming to campus.

Spring 2022 COVID-19 Test Results

To date in 2022, as of April 29, 2022, NVU has had 81 reported positive cases. This number includes students and employees who have tested either through our on-campus testing programs or who have reported positives from at-home or other testing.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement In Place for For 2021-2022 Academic Year

Masking Requirement Announced–Effective Friday, August 13 at 5 a.m. Read here for full information.

Get Tested

Broad Institute Nasal Swab RT-PCR Testing will be available every Wednesday throughout the fall semester. Testing is for campus-based students (those living on and off campus) and employees only. Do not come to the campus if you are fully remote.

  • NVU-Lyndon: Wednesdays at the ASAC 100 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
  • NVU-Johnson: Wednesdays at the Multi Gym from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

Vaccination Requirement

The Vermont State Colleges System requires COVID-19 vaccination of all students enrolled at the residential colleges in the 2021-2022 Academic Year. The safety of our students, employees, and local community members is our top priority as we continue to respond to the ongoing pandemic. The vaccination requirement does not apply to students who will not come on to the physical campuses for any reason during the 2021-2022 academic year, such as those who are taking classes exclusively online. Please read the notice from the VSCS Chancellor about the requirement here.

Students must verify their vaccination by filling out this form NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19Vaccination. You will need to take a photo of both sides of your vaccination card to complete the form.

Our goal remains for all members of the NVU community who are able to be vaccinated to get vaccinated. We urge you to make every effort to complete your vaccination as soon as possible. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered in accordance with Vermont law. To request an exemption, fill out the COVID-19 Vaccination Medical Exemption form or the COVID-19 Vaccination Religious Exemption Form and return it to the health centers on our campuses.

We expect all NVU community members to continue to use best health and safety practices, including regular hand washing, social distancing whenever possible, wearing a mask if unvaccinated, and staying home if symptomatic.

Visitors to our NVU campuses: NVU requires full COVID-19 vaccination for visitors age 12 and above. Visitors under the age of 12 must be masked  indoors. If a masking mandate is in place for NVU, visitors must also follow that masking mandate.

Fall 2021 COVID-19 Test Results

To date, NVU has had a total of 55 cumulative positive cases, twenty-nine on the Johnson campus and twenty-six on the Lyndon campus. The on-site tests were conducted through the Broad Institute testing program.

Questions?

If you have immediate questions, please use the form on this page: NorthernVermont.edu/Questions.

NVU During COVID-19: Summer Information

Governor Scott announced June 14 that more than 80% of Vermont’s eligible population—those age 12 and older—have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As a result, the Governor has announced that all state COVID-19 restrictions are rescinded. Vermont’s State of Emergency, which expired June 15, will not be renewed. NVU has met or exceeded federal and state safety guidelines during the pandemic and will continue that as follows until further notice:

  • A full vaccination is required for all non-student, non-employee, and non-admissions visitors to our campus that are age 12 and above. Full vaccination means two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson version or two weeks after the second shot for Pfizer and Moderna.

  • Face coverings shall be worn indoors by all unvaccinated faculty, staff, students, and visitors under 16 when in the presence of others and in common areas (for example, Dibden or ATT). When outdoors, and more than six feet apart from one another, masks are not required whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

  • See below for information about student vaccine requirements.

Campus Visitors and Guests

During the summer months, we will continue to take steps to reduce the risk of virus transmission and encourage vaccination. All non-student and non-employee visitors to our campuses that are age 16 and above must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Full vaccination means two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson version or two weeks after the second shot for Pfizer and Moderna. Approved vendors and those visiting our campuses under current Admissions protocols will be the only exceptions. Conference and Event Services will work with program directors and guests to verify full vaccination attestation via official program registration, while visitors coming to the campuses for general inquiries and services will be directed to Public Safety.

Efforts to provide our community with information about the importance of vaccines and resources to gain access to vaccination will be ongoing. Thank you for your work and commitment to safety as we transition to more normal operations over time.

Information for Employees

  • Do not come to work if you are feeling sick. No symptomatic or COVID-19 positive employees are allowed on campus for any reason. Unvaccinated employees who have not had COVID-19 in the past 90 days and have had close contact for more than 15 minutes with any person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 14 days or for 7 days prior to obtaining a COVID-19 test. See the Vermont Department of Health’s guidance for more information on workplace exposures.

  • Employees are strongly encouraged to be in the process of being vaccinated or fully vaccinated. Get the facts about the Covid-19 vaccines here.

  • Face coverings shall be worn indoors by all unvaccinated faculty, staff, students, and visitors under 16 when in the presence of others and in common areas (for example, Dibden or ATT). When outdoors, and more than six feet apart from one another, masks are not required whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

NVU During COVID-19: Spring 2021 Semester Information

**NVU will continue with its travel and household visitation policies through the end of the semester. This includes testing, daily self-attestation, masking, distancing, no cross-household visitation, no traveling, and 7-day quarantine if you do travel with permission. This is necessary to get us to the finish line.**

All commuting and residential students are encouraged to test weekly for the remainder of the semester. It is available three times a week to students and employees who live, teach, work, or learn on campus. In addition, surveillance testing will be conducted regularly via a random selection of faculty, staff, and students. Those identified will receive email instructions about where and when. Please send questions related to testing to Dean of Students Jonathan Davis. View the schedule here at 2021 Spring Testing Schedule.

Spring 2021 COVID-19 Test Results

Over the course of the spring 2021 semester, NVU conducted more than 9,900 COVID-19 tests and reported a total of 13 positive results across the campuses. The on-site tests were conducted through the Broad Institute testing program. Learn more about NVU’s fall semester testing results. Learn more about NVU Restart Plan.


Welcome back to NVU! We are so excited to have our students back on our campuses. Thank you for following our guidelines for masking, testing, quarantining, and following NVU and state health and safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please read through and become familiar with the the information below.

Important Information, Expectations, and Resources for the NVU Community

Spring 2021 Return to Campus Details

NVU Community Responsibility

Resources

Return to Campus Details

Northern Vermont University is closely following state guidelines for the Spring 2021 semester. We have set up procedures for check-in and return to campus. Quarantine, testing, and check-in/move-in procedures must be followed. Students, please refer to the emails you’ve received for details and read the material in the dropdown menus below.

Returning to NVU this spring is much like it was in the fall—with two important changes:

  1. All students returning to the area, whether to live on campus in residence halls or to live in off-campus or on-campus apartments, must quarantine before arriving or upon arrival. This quarantine requirement pertains to Vermont residents as well as students coming from out of state. Please review and follow state of Vermont quarantine requirements.
  2. Residence halls will be designated as households, per Vermont state guidelines, and no cross-household visitation will be allowed. See details below.

↑ Back to Top

Required Quarantine and Testing

Arrival Quarantine: A notable change to the arrival quarantine policy for spring is the inclusion of all Vermont students in the requirement to quarantine ahead of arrival if moving back to the area to live on or off campus. Please review and follow state of Vermont quarantine requirements.

COVID-19 Testing: All campus-based NVU students, both commuting and residential, were tested on January 29 or 30 and again on February 5 or 6 at no cost to the student. Students were required to quarantine on campus or at their off-campus residence until the first negative result was been returned, which took between 24-36 hours. Testing is completed through the Broad Institute testing program.

All students were screened for temperature upon arrival for their Covid-19 tests.

Testing will continue throughout the semester with opportunities to test weekly. In addition, surveillance testing will be conducted regularly via a random selection of faculty, staff, and students. Those identified will receive email instructions about where and when. Please send questions related to testing to Dean of Students Jonathan Davis.

 

Take the NVU Health Pledge

The NVU Health Pledge is a requirement of the state of Vermont. Please review and complete the pledge if you haven’t done so. Please direct questions to Dean of Student Jonathan Davis: Jonathan.Davis@NorthernVermont.edu.

↑ Back to Top

Cross-Household Visitation

One of the lessons learned statewide in 2020 was that small cross-household gatherings of friends and family were a major contributor to virus spread. The state of Vermont has asked all colleges and universities to limit cross-household visitation. To that end, we have designated each residence hall complex (for example: Governors North and South or Arnold and Bayley) or apartment (on or off campus) as a separate household. This also means on-campus residents are prohibited from visiting off-campus households. No off-campus guests are allowed in any residential area at any time.

↑ Back to Top

Daily Required Symptom Screenings 

It is mandatory for all students, faculty, and staff who are on an NVU campus to do a daily symptom screening at NorthernVermont.edu/RequiredDailyScreening. Students will complete this form 7 days a week. Employees will complete this form the days they will be on campus.

↑ Back to Top

#MaskUpNVU—We All Have a Part to Play

Masks are Required at NVU. 

  • Wear masks everywhere inside unless you are alone in your residence hall room or office.
  • Wear masks outside, even while walking on the campus pathways and trails or hanging out with friends. While they are not required outside when maintaining a 6-foot distance, it can be very challenging to ensure this physical distance. Please keep your masks on.
  • The mask must cover the nose and chin and fit without gaps.
  • Learn more about how to wear a mask.

Strictly Follow Vermont Health Guidelines.

↑ Back to Top

Visitors to Campus

We are making an extraordinary effort to keep the NVU community as healthy and safe as possible. For this reason, visitors are not allowed on campus unless approved. As best we can, we’d like to consider our two beautiful hilltop campuses as giant community bubbles where we watch out for one another. To that end, all visitors must be approved before they will be allowed on campus. Make requests to the following deans and directors. Students in residence are not permitted to have guests from off campus in the residence halls.

  • Academic Affairs: Provost Nolan Atkins
  • Student Life: Dean of Students Jonathan Davis
  • Athletics: Associate Dean of Athletics Jamey Ventura
  • Other (Contractors, vendors, etc.): Director of Facilities Mike Stevens

↑ Back to Top

Cleaning and Disinfecting at NVU

Custodial staff will clean and disinfect all common areas, classrooms, and restrooms at NVU daily. To provide an extra level of protection throughout our campuses, disinfectant products are available for additional disinfecting in classrooms, employee offices, and residence hall bathrooms. Learn about safely using these products at NorthernVermont.edu/DisinfectantSafety.

↑ Back to Top

Dining at NVU During COVID-19

Sodexo and NVU have made some changes to the dining experience on our campuses to promote the health and safety of our community during COVID-19. Be sure to read through Sodexo’s “NVU Dining—What to Expect.” And, register for BITE, Sodexo’s mobile app. Visit NVU Dining for campus-specific information.

Whether you want to sit down with friends and enjoy a meal or get something quick and delicious while you’re on the go, there are on-campus options for you at Northern Vermont University.

↑ Back to Top

Spring 2021 Academic Calendar

Northern Vermont University will begin the spring semester on Monday, February 1, 2021. Due to COVID-19, the calendar is subject to change. Visit the NVU Academic Calendar for more information.

Monday, February 1 First day of classes
Tuesday-Wednesday, March 23-24  Spring Break
Friday, May 7 Last day of classes
Monday-Thursday, May 10-13 Final examination period for NVU
Saturday, May 15 NVU-Johnson Commencement
Sunday, May 16 NVU-Lyndon Commencement
Monday, May 17 NVU Faculty Retreat

↑ Back to Top

CARES Act Policy and Emergency Aid Application for Students

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is federal legislation that provides financial support to organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Part of the CARES Act provides funds that allows colleges and universities like NVU to provide one-time emergency grants to students who have demonstrated financial need based on FAFSA information for unexpected expenses, (such as food, housing, technology/course requirements, unanticipated travel, replacement of medications, emergency childcare due to school closures, etc.) related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about the CARES Act and access the CARES Act Emergency Aid application here.

↑ Back to Top

Questions?

If you have immediate questions, please use the form on this page: NorthernVermont.edu/Questions.

↑ Back to Top

After much discussion, we have decided to begin the fall semester on Tuesday, August 18, one week earlier than planned. We will then move into an accelerated push through the semester to an early end with a return home for Thanksgiving break and remote exams to complete the semester. The number of teaching days will not be affected by these changes. NVU Online will start as planned on August 31 and continue with its normal schedule.

NVU Fall 2020 Semester Details At-A-Glance
1.    Fall orientation, move-in, and convocation. We anticipate that move-in dates will be staggered between August 14 through 17 with new and first-year students arriving on the earlier dates. As soon as we finalize these event and move-in dates, we will be in touch with details.
2.    Fall semester begins Tuesday, August 18.
3.    NVU Online will start as planned on August 31.
4.    Classes will be held Labor Day, Monday, September 7.
5.    There will be a two-day break in October — Wednesday, October 28 and Thursday, October 29.
6.    Thanksgiving break is November 23–27. Note: Students will exit the residence halls on Friday, November 20, and will not return to campus until the spring semester, which begins January 19.
7.    Final exams will be held remotely, November 30–December 3. The fall semester ends December 3.
8.    Spring semester begins February 1.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES AND COMMUNICATIONS

For up-to-date fall semester communications, please review our Return To Campus page.

To review university-wide communications from the 2020 spring semester, please visit our COVID-19 Communications archive page.

What is NVU doing to protect the health of our community?

  • NVU officials are working with the Vermont Department of Health and other key offices to monitor the evolving situation.
  • NVU is following the guidance of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Vermont Department of Health (VT DOH) regarding screening and prevention.
  • University Travel: All university international travel scheduled through the fall semester has been canceled. University domestic travel, including in-state and non-essential travel between campuses, is not permitted.

What should members of the NVU community do to protect themselves?

Practice stay-healthy, flu-prevention tactics. Public health officials have issued no recommendations for isolation, the use of masks, or other special precautions for anyone not experiencing symptoms.

Because this virus has similar symptoms to the cold and flu, it is important to not make any assumptions; individuals should have any respiratory illness evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Faculty, staff, and students on campus must employ social distancing practices.
All gatherings of more than 10 people must be handled virtually or rescheduled.

  • Use electronic means for meetings such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or conference calls.
  • If a meeting room must be used, the meeting room may be no more than 1/2 full.
  • Individuals should strive to maintain 6 feet distance between each other.
  • Practice good hygiene and wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds.

You can help avoid the spread of illness by following CDC guidelines for keeping healthy. No single action will provide complete protection from illness, but an approach combining the following steps can help decrease the likelihood of transmission.

  • Stay home from work or class when you are sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Scrub your hands at least 20 seconds, or roughly twice the length of the “Happy Birthday” song.
  • When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue and throw the tissue away after you use it. Alternatively, cough or sneeze into clothing — i.e. your sleeve rather than your bare hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs and viruses spread that way.
  • Get sufficient sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.

Please note, the symptoms of coronavirus are similar to those of cold or flu. Exhibiting any of the above symptoms should not cause panic. We are currently in the middle of flu season.

Are masks required on campus?

Yes, employees, students, and visitors are required to wear masks when in the presence of others indoors, or within 6 ft. of others while outdoors. You will need to bring your own mask to wear on campus. While an N-95 or surgical mask are the gold standard of masks, these masks continue to be in short supply and should be preserved for essential workers. The CDC recommends two-ply fabric masks as a good alternative. To learn more about mask specifications and making your own mask, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

To test if your mask meets accepted guidelines, put the mask on and light a candle. Blow hard to try to put the flame out. If it does not extinguish, or better yet waver, your mask is working!

Research shows that infection with COVID-19 is tied to the exposure to the virus and length of time spent in that exposure: Successful Infection = Exposure to Virus x Time. Learn more here.

What happens if there is a confirmed case on campus?

If a COVID-19 virus is confirmed, then CDC protocols will be followed. Those who have had close contact with the patient will be contacted and monitored by the Vermont Department of Health. Northern Vermont University will fully support this effort. NVU complies with federal and state regulations that restrict inquiries and/or disclosure of a person’s health status and holds seriously the importance of adhering to VSC antidiscrimination policies including stereotyping based on but not limited to race, ethnicity, and national origin.

How will we be notified about future changes?

Updates and additional information will be sent to your NorthernVermont.edu email and posted as an announcement on the VSCS portal. Those are the best places to check regularly.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is federal legislation that provides financial support to organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Part of the CARES Act provides funds that allows colleges and universities like NVU to provide one-time emergency grants to students who have demonstrated financial need based on FAFSA information for unexpected expenses, (such as food, housing, technology/course requirements, unanticipated travel, replacement of medications, emergency childcare due to school closures, etc.) related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about the CARES Act and access the CARES Act Emergency Aid application here.

Members of the COVID-19 Emergency Task Force

President Elaine Collins (Chair), Dean of Administration Sharron Scott, Provost Nolan Atkins, Dean of Students Jonathan Davis, Dean of Enrollment and Marketing Mike Fox, Development and External Relations Officer Leah Hollenberger, and Director of Marketing and Communications Sylvia Plumb.