Fully Forward amid COVID-19

At Utica University, the health and safety of all members of our community remain our top priority. This website provides updated information about our ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Fall 2022 COVID Policies and Procedures - Effective July 1, 2022

**All information on this page is subject to change. The University continues to meet regularly to monitor COVID-19 cases globally, locally, and within the Pioneer community. If the analysis of current data suggests it is appropriate or if local, state or federal guidance changes, the University may recommend changes to our public health behaviors, and campus access policies to maintain a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests. Updates will be communicated in a timely manner.

COVID-19 Vaccination

COVID-19 vaccination is not required and exemptions will no longer be required.

We strongly encourage members of our University community to get vaccinated and to receive booster doses when eligible, in a continued effort to support the health and safety of all.
Proof of vaccination may be submitted, along with other Health Services forms, through the Student Health Portal.
Students should note that some off-campus clinical sites may have vaccination requirements and/or COVID mitigation procedures in place that students must adhere to. Students participating in these programs should consult with their program or site coordinator regarding compliance with those policies and procedures.

Face Coverings / Masks

Face coverings will be optional in most University facilities, including:

all classrooms and academic spaces
University housing
the Clark Athletic Center
all dining facilities
the Hutton Sports & Recreation Center
and offices.

Individuals may choose to wear a face covering, and all members of the University community are asked to respect their choice. Health Professions (i.e: Nursing, ABSN, OT, DPT, etc.) programs will continue to require masks in lab experiences as masks are required in clinical and other health care professional settings.

**Face coverings will continue to be required for all individuals when visiting the Student Health Center.

Reporting Illness and COVID-19 Testing

We will no longer be conducting asymptomatic surveillance testing on campus.
Students exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should take appropriate steps to protect others around them and get tested for COVID-19, either on or off campus.
Testing is available at the Student Health Center for students who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Students can visit the Student Health Center in Strebel Hall or choose to visit an off-campus location for COVID-19 testing. COVID testing may be billed to a student’s health insurance.
Students who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate appropriately (see "Isolation and Housing," below) and should upload their test results here to the Student Health Portal This information will be used to notify relevant faculty and offices of student absences.
Faculty or staff who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should not come to campus and should visit any off-campus location of their choosing for COVID-19 testing. Those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate appropriately (see "Isolation and Housing," below), communicate with their supervisor and notify HR about their absence.

Isolation and Housing

In line with CDC guidelines for isolation, Utica University requires all individuals who are COVID positive to isolate off campus for five full days, with the date of their positive test result being day zero. They must also be symptom free for at least 24 hours prior to returning to campus. Self-isolating when COVID positive is crucial to the health of the University community.

The University will not provide housing or meal plan accommodations to students who live in University-sponsored housing who require isolation upon testing positive for COVID.
Students should have an isolation plan in place before they arrive on campus. This plan should include arrangements for traveling home or identifying family members/friends and/or specific location(s) to isolate off campus in the event that they become COVID-positive. Visit the COVID Isolation Plan tab below for guidance on developing your isolation plan.
Faculty or staff who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate appropriately. Employees do not need to upload test results, but should communicate with their supervisor and notify HR about their absence.

For more information, please read these CDC guidelines for isolation.

The Daily Health Screening will no longer be used for daily symptom checks or campus / building access during the academic year. Any members of the University Community who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should not come to campus, and instead take appropriate steps to protect themselves and our community by getting tested for COVID-19. (See "Reporting Illness and COVID-19 Testing," below.)

There are no restrictions on University-sponsored travel based on an individual's vaccination status.

Please note: Those participating in University-sponsored travel are still required to submit the necessary documentation to receive monetary reimbursement for travel expenses and to comply with Clery Act notification requirements.

The COVID-19 vaccine is not required for visitors and guests to campus. Guests and visitors are strongly encouraged to either be vaccinated against COVID-19 and boosted, if eligible, or to get tested within 72 hours prior to visiting campus and should not come to campus if feeling ill.

COVID policies and procedures for the Florida Campuses for Fall 2022 will continue to follow CDC guidance. ABSN programs will continue to require masks in lab experiences as masks are required in clinical and other health care professional settings.

COVID Isolation Plans

This information was last updated July 11, 2022.

Self-isolating when COVID positive is crucial to the health of the University community. In line with CDC guidelines for isolation, Utica University requires all individuals who are COVID positive to isolate off campus for five full days, with the date of their positive test result being day zero. They must also be symptom free for at least 24 hours prior to returning to campus.

Why Do I Need an Isolation Plan?

The University does not provide isolation housing, meals, or transportation to students who live in University-sponsored housing who require isolation upon testing positive for COVID. Students, particularly residential students, should have a plan for what they will do if they need to self-isolate. Having a plan will help you quickly begin isolation after testing positive and ensure you're not caught off-guard when you need to leave campus.

Information to Help Develop Your Isolation Plan

The plan should include arrangements for transportation, isolation housing, and meals.
You should plan to isolate off campus for a minimum of five full days. Isolation can be longer if your symptoms do not subside. You must be symptom free for at least 24 hours prior to returning to campus.
If you are unable to travel home and will isolate locally, you should pre-plan to have the following items on hand to help you during your isolation:
- N95 mask
- thermometer
- pain/fever reducers (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, etc.)
- throat lozenges
If you are not feeling well, remember to seek support from family and friends, who may be able to help you to plan and secure reservations as necessary.

Resources for Isolation if Unable to Travel Home:

Moving Forward amid COVID-19

As our institution, along with other parts of the region and nation move forward with functions and activity, we continue to vigilantly monitor and respond to the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on the Utica community as developments change and new information and guidance is made available.