Attention:

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

COVID-19: Summer 2021 Updated Vermont Guidance

May 21, 2021

NVU Faculty & Staff:

Published on May 20, 2021, the state has issued updated Covid-19 guidance for higher education.  Northern Vermont University will adopt the following changes effective immediately:

  • Face coverings shall be worn indoors by all unvaccinated faculty, staff, students, and visitors when in the presence of others and in common areas (for example, dining hall). When outdoors, and more than six feet apart from one another, masks are not required whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, but discretion must be exercised, and masks should be carried on the person in the event circumstances warrant their use.
  • The daily online symptom check will no longer be required for employees. Individuals who are symptomatic for COVID-19 should contact their supervisor, stay home, and consider contacting their health care provider.
  • Travel no longer requires testing or quarantine. CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated as travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19.

As a reminder and for your convenience, the below is from my last email to you sent May 14, 2021, with a couple of updates based on the Governor’s recent updates:

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