Information for returning to campus and J-Term updates
Welcome back, Petrels! As we enter the new year, our community is mindful of the increase in COVID-19 cases due to the rise of the omicron variant. As we continue to try to limit the spread of COVID-19 on campus, the following modifications are being made to campus operations.
Returning for J-Term
In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 as J-Term begins, all in-person students must submit a COVID-19 test result through the form below by Monday, January 10, 2022. Students are responsible for obtaining their own COVID-19 test, and both PCR and antigen tests (including at-home tests) are accepted. If you have issues accessing a COVID-19 test, please reach out to [email protected].
Residence halls will remain open and J-Term move-in is still scheduled for tomorrow, January 5, 2022. Students who have COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have a household contact testing positive for COVID-19 should not return to campus, and should work with their instructors to arrange to access to course materials while isolating or quarantining. Any in-person students who test positive should also contact [email protected] for additional instructions, which will include information on alternative move-in arrangements or isolating on campus for campus residents.
Returning to work on campus for faculty and staff
Faculty and staff whose duties require them to be on campus this week must have a COVID-19 test completed no later than Monday, January 10, 2022. Faculty and staff should consult with their supervisors about the possibility of flexible work arrangements through January 17, 2022. Everyone is encouraged to conduct meetings remotely through this time.
All other faculty and staff must submit a negative PCR test 72 hours prior to returning to campus, or a negative antigen test (including at-home tests) 24 hours before returning to campus. Employees are responsible for obtaining their own COVID-19 test and should upload their test result through PayCom. Please refer to the instructions below and reach out to HR Director Sandy Butler for further questions regarding this process.
Those who have COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have a household contact testing positive for COVID-19 should not return to campus at this time and consult with their supervisor.
J-Term course delivery
Faculty will have the option to teach in-person or remotely for J-Term. Students will be notified by the registrar ONLY if there is a shift in the delivery method of their course.
Vaccine policy
As was the case in fall 2021, students, faculty and staff are expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Individuals may apply for a medical or religious accommodation.
Students and employees who did not confirm their vaccination status or apply for an accommodation in fall 2021 must do so through the appropriate acknowledgment method below. Those new to Oglethorpe starting in 2022 should complete this by January 15, 2022.
- Student vaccine acknowledgment form
- Employee vaccine acknowledgment through PayCom (contact HR Director Sandy Butler for further questions)
Additionally, if your vaccination status has changed, please update your status through the appropriate method above.
As we continue to review our vaccine requirement for 2022, we greatly encourage everyone to get a COVID-19 booster as soon as possible. Several vaccine clinics offering COVID-19 boosters will also take place on campus beginning this month.
Additional COVID-19 testing protocols
Unvaccinated students and employees will continue to be tested for COVID-19 throughout J-Term and spring 2022. Students, faculty, and staff will be notified via email when they will need to get a COVID-19 test and must submit a valid test as instructed. Students and employees are responsible for obtaining their own COVID-19 test, and both PCR and antigen tests (including at-home tests) will be accepted.
We continue to monitor recommendations from our public health consultants and other health experts regarding the rapid community spread of the omicron variant. In response, additional testing requirements may be added as part of the return to campus. Please monitor your emails carefully for further details and updated information.
Dining services
Dining services will operate as a grab-and-go model through January 17, 2022. Normal dining operations will resume on January 18, health conditions permitting.
Non-academic and student activities
Student activities and other non-academic events should be moved to a remote format, be held outdoors, or postponed through January 17, 2022. This does not apply to scheduled athletic events.
Mask requirement
Face-coverings will continue to be required indoors on campus unless you are alone in your office or room, or while actively eating or drinking. Individuals should report COVID-19 violations, incidents or concerns through this form. For students, reports are addressed through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and may result in removal from campus. Reports pertaining to faculty and staff are addressed through the appropriate human resource guidelines and may result in disciplinary action.
Campus visitors
Visitors are strongly encouraged to postpone any planned campus visits or move nonessential meetings, activities, and events to a remote format through January 17, 2022.
Athletics
For the most up-to-date information on Oglethorpe’s COVID-19 policies and regulations regarding athletics, please visit gopetrels.com/covid-19.