09-27-22: Campus Community Message
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Wayne County’s COVID-19 Community Level is LOW. Our current campus positivity rate is 0.0%. The weekly rolling average positivity rate for campus from 9/18-9/24 was 0.3%, well below our campus threshold of 3%.
The College maintains a mask optional policy for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors, with a few notable exceptions:
- Masks are required in the Longbrake Student Wellness Center.
- Masks are required when using all College of Wooster transportation.
- Masks absolutely must be worn by anyone who is COVID-19 positive or has symptoms of COVID-19, until the required isolation protocol has been completed. Masks should be worn until symptoms have passed, as we are also quickly approaching flu season.
- Faculty and staff may continue to require masks in their classrooms and personal offices.
Masks must be worn over the nose. Click here to make sure you are wearing your mask properly.
These updated guidelines are subject to change as conditions on campus and in the local community change. We will send future campus email updates if changes are needed. In the meantime, continue to visit our Community Health Dashboard and find all relevant campus community guidelines on the 2022-2023 Community Health Guide.
Upcoming Vaccination Clinics
Flu Clinics
Leading health experts suggest it may be the worst flu season we’ve seen in the last few years. The College of Wooster is encouraging all students to get their flu shot and follow hand washing and other safety protocols.
Know the common symptoms of flu.
Free flu clinics will be available to all students in Longbrake Student Wellness Center on October 3, 6, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31, and on November 3. After November 3, flu shots will be available as supplies last by appointment only.
A special staff and faculty flu clinic will be held during the Health Benefits Fair, Oct. 27 in Wilson Governance Room. Book your appointment.
COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Clinics
Because Wooster is a fully residential campus, where all students live together in communal residence halls and houses, all College of Wooster students are required to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations prior to arrival and remain up to date with any recommended COVID-19 booster vaccinations while a student at The College of Wooster.
The CDC now recommends the FDA-approved COVID-19 boosters for everyone ages 12+ who completed their primary series or received a booster dose at least 2 months ago. Learn more about the vaccine and eligibility. The College of Wooster is partnering with Wayne County Health Department to host free on-campus clinics for the Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Vaccine throughout October and early November for students.
Clinics will be held on Wednesdays: Oct. 5, Oct.19, Oct. 26, and Nov. 2 from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-3:30 p.m. Book your appointment.
Please report any changes in your vaccination status using the Student Wellness Vaccination Portal. Students should have their CDC or WHO vaccination card with them on campus.
We understand that there are instances that students may want to request an exemption to receiving the initial vaccine or subsequent boosters were for moral, religious our medical reasons. Students wishing to request a vaccine exemption should complete the Vaccine Exemption Form two weeks prior to the vaccine deadline announced by The College of Wooster. Students who have already received a vaccine exemption do not need to re-apply for subsequent booster doses.
Mask and Test Pickup Locations
As always, high-quality, well-fitted masks, self-administered rapid COVID-19 tests, and “masks required” door hangs to anyone who needs them. Students, staff, and faculty who are experiencing symptoms or would like to monitor their health will be able to pick up masks or a self-administered rapid test at the following campus locations:
- Lowry Center Information Desk
- Andrews Library Circulation Desk
- Wellness Center Door A and Door D
- Ruth Williams Hall Stockroom
These items also may be requested in advance through communityhealth@wooster.edu and someone will be in touch with pickup instructions. Follow these steps if you believe you were exposed to COVID-19.
Thank you for your continued efforts to keep campus safe and healthy.
Community Health Taskforce
Posted in Community Message on September 27, 2022.
