Important COVID-19 Information and Updates
A Message from President Elaine C. Collins
Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,
It is hard to believe that we have completed our first two weeks of the academic year and that September is here! I hope you are pleased to have the semester underway. I would like to update you about a number of important issues.
Testing Numbers and Going Forward
We have conducted about 2,400 tests to date, with 0 positives as of today. This is great news! Thank you for your compliance with testing. Through the remainder of the semester, testing will continue bi-weekly with a random selection of students and employees. We will notify you by email if you are randomly selected for testing. We will also offer tests to those NVU students and employees who request them.
#MaskUpNVU—We All Have a Part to Play
Thank you to everyone who is diligently wearing masks—and wearing them correctly. We can—and must—do better than we are—both with wearing masks and how we wear them.
Remember, masks are required on our campuses.
- 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 masks 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.
- Follow these guidelines for how to wear a mask: the mask must cover the nose and chin and fit without gaps. Learn more about how to wear a mask.
Disinfecting and Cleaning—Classroom Protocols
Students, please remember to disinfect your workspace in classrooms before and after class. Disinfecting products are in each classroom. Follow the safety protocols here.
Limited Athletics Practice Has Resumed
As announced in an email on July 20, NVU’s athletics conference, the North Atlantic Conference, cancelled NAC competition for the fall due to health and safety concerns. Additionally, NVU will follow the NCAA Division III Administrative Committee recommendation that institutions not compete in the fall.
To ensure our athletes will enjoy a robust athletics experience this fall, NVU is phasing in practice sessions, which began August 31. Key components of this phase include sports-specific drills and physical conditioning in which all participants are practicing universal masking, physical distancing, and proper spacing. Close quarter drills and team scrimmaging are not permitted during this phase. Learn more about the NCAA’s Core Principles of Resocialization in Collegiate Sport. Learn more about NVU’s phased in approach to athletics practice (scroll to the bottom of the page).
Admissions Visit Start Up
A key part of the recruitment process for any university is prospective student visits to campus. Admissions has started up limited visits on campus that follow Vermont Department of Health guidelines. Campus visits are limited to the prospective student and a maximum of two guests, preferably parents or guardians of the student. All visitors will be required to pre-register and to meet all State of Vermont visitation and travel guidelines. Prospective students may register to visit at NorthernVermont.edu/Visit. And look for expanded virtual visit experiences for prospective students soon.
Thank you all for your continued adherence to the health and safety guidelines NVU has put in place.
As I mentioned in earlier communications, each of us holds responsibility for others by how we choose to go about our daily lives during this pandemic. Uphold the NVU Health Pledge, fill out your daily attestations screening, and wear a mask. It is required.
-Elaine