Campus Health & Safety
Campus Health & Safety
Last updated: February 13, 2023
Drew’s commitment to operate a safe and healthy campus is evidenced in our instructional, testing, residential, employment, and facilities plans and policies in accordance with requirements from the state and recommendations from the CDC.
Vaccination Resources
Students
For new incoming students for fall 2022, all health forms, including COVID-19 vaccine documentation, are due on July 15, 2022.
For the fall 2021 semester, residential and commuter students were required to be vaccinated and upload their vaccine records to their Student Health Portal at least two weeks prior to arriving to campus for the fall 2021 semester. Requests for exemptions for medical or religious reasons were considered on a case-by-case basis. Less than five percent of the student body were approved for exemptions.
On December 20, 2021, the University announced that students, faculty, staff, and contract workers were required to receive their booster as soon as possible, with a March 31, 2022 deadline. Read the announcement here. This policy remains in effect for the fall 2022 semester.
Faculty and Staff
On August 25, 2021, shortly after the FDA announced full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the University implemented a policy to require full vaccination for all faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, temporary employees, and independent contractors working on Drew’s campus by October 15, 2021. Read the full message here.
On December 20, 2021, the University announced that students, faculty, staff, and contract workers were required to receive their booster as soon as possible, with a March 31, 2022 deadline. Read the announcement here.
The above policies remain in effect for the fall 2022 semester, and all members of the Drew community are encouraged to receive a second booster if/when eligible.
Testing
Spring 2023 Testing | Symptomatic Testing
Spring 2023 Testing
We will continue to observe local, regional, and global infection rates and transmission trends, and may increase or adapt our testing requirements at any time. Any changes will be communicated to the community via email. Our current testing protocols are outlined below.
Pre-Arrival and Arrival Testing
We strongly encourage students to get a COVID-19 test prior to arriving on campus, although it is not mandatory. If you test positive prior to returning to campus, please remain off campus until your isolation period is complete and upload a copy of your positive test to your student health portal. If you are ill or experiencing symptoms, do not come to campus until you are tested.
Surveillance Testing
There will not be weekly surveillance testing throughout the semester, regardless of vaccination status. Accordingly, the University will suspend use of the COVID-19 dashboard.
Symptomatic Testing
All students, regardless of vaccination status, will be tested by Health Services if they report symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. Faculty and staff who exhibit symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should test and report any positive tests to HR and their supervisor.
Face Coverings
Masks
Masks will not be mandated on campus, including indoor locations, with the exception of the Health Service.
Faculty, staff, and student conveners may require masks to be worn at their discretion in their classroom, lab, office, or event location. Conveners must notify students of a mask requirement in advance, and students are required to comply with any such direction.
In instances of one-on-one meetings, either party may request that a mask be worn. If this is not acceptable to both parties, an alternative arrangement (e.g., a Zoom meeting) should be made.
While masks are no longer a requirement, the University wholeheartedly supports anyone who continues to wear a mask for any reason. We have instituted this mask policy with the expectation that all members of the Drew community will be understanding of individual situations and choices.
The University reserves the right to reinstate a mask requirement should a need arise due to guidance or on-campus conditions.
Screening
We trust that all members of the Drew community will self monitor for signs and symptoms of illness, and stay home if feeling ill and get tested for COVID-19 if experiencing symptoms.
Reporting, Contact Tracing, Isolation, and Quarantine
If you are positive for COVID-19, students and employees must follow the below procedures:
- Students: If you test positive at any point during the semester, you must notify the Health Service, which will provide isolation instructions and support.
- Employees: If you test positive at any point during the semester, you must notify your direct supervisor and Human Resources at humres@drew.edu.
Close Contacts
The CDC defines a close contact as anyone within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes during a 24-hour period.
Positive student or employee cases will be responsible for notifying their own close contacts. Instructions will be provided and the Health Service will follow up with any positive student cases.
Isolation (positive for COVID-19)
If positive, students and employees must isolate for at least five days and are able to leave isolation on day six if fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications and symptoms have mostly resolved. On days six through 10, the positive case must remain fully masked and not eat or drink with others.
- Residential students may isolate in designated spaces on campus or go home to isolate. Students with single rooms may isolate themselves in their assigned rooms. Information on meals will be provided.
- Positive student cases will receive isolation instructions and support, including health check-ins.
Quarantine (close contacts)
In August 2022, the CDC updated their health and safety protocols for close contacts, removing the quarantine component. Regardless of vaccination status, close contacts should wear a mask for 10 days, monitor symptoms, and get tested at least five days after exposure. Positive cases must follow proper reporting protocols.