Attention:

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

COVID-19: Summer 2021 Information

May 14, 2021

NVU Faculty and Staff:

The health and safety of the NVU Community continues to be the highest priority. As was announced by President Collins on April 2, our plan for the fall is to “return with as much normalcy as possible, including in-person orientations and welcomes for our new and returning students, classes taught in person and in the classroom, robust in-person student activities, and the freedom to visit with friends and family on and off campus.” In the meantime, we will continue to monitor conditions of the pandemic and make adjustments as necessary. We will share more information about the fall semester soon.

Campus Visitors and Guests Update: During the summer months, we will continue to take steps to reduce the risk of virus transmission and encourage vaccination, which includes an indoor mask mandate (no change for Higher Education with Governor Scott’s May 14 announcement), spacing, and a full vaccination requirement for all non-student and non-employee visitors to our campus that are age 16 and above. Full vaccination means two weeks after the Johnson & Johnson version or two weeks after the second shot for Pfizer and Moderna. Visitors under the age of 16 are required to comply with the guidance described below. 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. Signage changes at campus entrances, as well as NVU web updates and other more public announcements, will be coming very soon.

Efforts to provide our community with information about the importance of vaccines and resources to gain access to vaccination will be ongoing. We have cosponsored two vaccine clinics so far with another planned in drive-up format for May 28 on the NVU-Johnson campus.

Thank you for your work and commitment to safety as we start to transition to more normal operations over time.

As a reminder from Kathy Armstrong’s Wednesday, May 12 email:

  • 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. This is not yet an absolute requirement for all students and employees, but it is in the best interest of all NVU community members ahead of a full face-to-face operation with extremely limited restrictions, if any, by the start of the fall semester. Get the facts about the Covid-19 vaccines here.
  • Wear masks everywhere inside unless you are alone in your office. While masks are not required outside, we do ask that you ensure a safe physical distance from others. The mask must cover the nose and chin and fit without gaps.
  • Employees on campus will have access to Covid-19 testing each Monday through the end of May from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in ASAC 100 at NVU-Lyndon and the Multi Gym at NVU-Johnson. Testing opportunities beyond this month are being considered.

Jonathan Davis
Dean of Students
Northern Vermont University