Attention:

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

COVID: Important Announcement

November 13, 2020

A Message from President Elaine C. Collins

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Today, amidst the Governor’s announcement that he is tightening restrictions in Vermont as COVID-19 cases climb, NVU received two positive results from our own surveillance testing yesterday and one presumptive positive from an off-site testing center.

One of the positives is a commuting student on the Johnson campus who has been studying remotely for the past 12 days. That student is in isolation at home. So far, our own internal contact tracing has determined that this student has not had contact with the NVU community so no other students are under quarantine due to this case.

At Lyndon, the positive student is a commuting student who has been studying remotely for the semester. That student is in isolation at home. The presumptive positive is also a commuting student at Lyndon and is in isolation at home. Additionally, four students who have had direct contact with these cases are in quarantine.

Our own internal contact tracing is well underway and we are working with the Vermont Department of Health.

There is no relationship between the cases on the two campuses or to the previous cases reported earlier this week and last week.

These cases bring our total to five positives out of 4,732 tests and one presumptive positive from an offsite testing center.

IMPORTANT ACTIONS

  • With the Governor’s announcement and our news, NVU has cancelled all events and athletics practices effective immediately. Both SHAPE fitness centers are closed until further notice.
  • Do not travel. Stay on campus or at home. Do not socialize as a group, even with physical distance. Wear your mask. Masks protect you and others. Your health—and the NVU community’s health—depends on it.
  • We have one week before our students head home for Thanksgiving and a remote end to the semester. Please strictly follow Vermont travel guidelines, which restrict any travel outside of Vermont unless it is essential.
  • NVU will hold testing for current campus-based students and employees who work on campus on Monday from 10 am-1 pm in the Bole Gymnasium at Lyndon and in the Multi-Gym at Johnson. Remote staff and faculty will not be tested so please do not come to campus. 

With just over one week left before our students head home for Thanksgiving break and the end of the semester, we ask you to strictly follow Vermont cross-state travel guidelines, which restrict any travel outside of Vermont unless it is essential. Please, do not travel. Stay on campus or at home. Your health—and the NVU community’s health—depends on it.

You have done an incredible job following the NVU Health Pledge. Keep it up—wear masks, keep social distance, and wash your hands. Again, do not travel. We cannot let up.

The Vermont Department of Health is in touch with anyone who needs to be notified. If you are called by their contact tracing team, please answer the call—this is to protect your health and to contain spread of the virus. You can find COVID-19 information, including travel guidance, at healthvermont.gov/covid19.

Stay tuned for updates. Keep an eye on email and web updates at NorthernVermont.edu/ReturntoNVU.

Please keep the health of our entire community in mind.

Six-foot spaces. Masks on Faces. Uncrowded Spaces. #MASKUPNVU

Elaine