J-term COVID-19 update

Jan. 3, 2022

I write this evening to provide more information about today’s COVID-19 testing on campus, procedures for quarantine and isolation, and next steps.

COVID-19 testing today on campus

A COVID-19 testing clinic was held in the PepsiCo Recreation Center. Unvaccinated community members were required to test this morning or provide proof of a negative test within three days of arriving on campus. Vaccinated community members were strongly encouraged to test today, as well. A total of 155 individuals tested, with the following results: 

18 students tested positive for COVID-19
2 employees tested positive for COVID-19

In addition, about 25 students have reported positive COVID-19 tests over the extended holiday break. (Most of these people are not on campus.) 

Twenty-eight unvaccinated individuals did not show up for mandatory testing today. The Dean of Students office has taken the following steps for these students:

• Implemented Starfish Flags to communicate with the students and their instructors.
• Temporarily suspended the students from class until testing is completed.
• Informed the students of the need to complete testing ASAP, with the caution that students who do not participate in mandatory testing by Wednesday will be unenrolled from January term.

Procedures for quarantine and isolation

While an increase in the number of positive cases on campus was expected, the test results today emphasize the need to remain diligent in all COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently modified its isolation and quarantine recommendations for the general population. The CDC has not, however, elected to change the isolation and quarantine requirements for colleges and universities. Augustana will continue to follow CDC guidance.

The CDC guidance requires that everyone who tests positive isolate for 10 days, regardless of vaccination status. Unvaccinated people who are determined to be close contacts, or symptomatic vaccinated individuals, also will quarantine for 10 days unless they produce a negative COVID-19 test after five days, which will allow a departure from quarantine after seven days. In short, there is no change in the isolation and quarantine requirements from fall semester.

Whether they are a close contact or received a positive test, students in quarantine or isolation are asked to do so in their family home unless they have immunocompromised family members. Quarantine and isolation housing is also available through Augustana College, if necessary.   

Next steps for students

Augustana contact tracers are working closely with students who tested positive. If you have yet to be contacted by a contact tracer, that communication is forthcoming. In the meantime, please continue isolating yourself.  

As students attempt to navigate their J-term course from isolation or quarantine, the college encourages them to reach out directly to their J-term instructors and their academic advisors to see if alternative arrangements are available. Due to the concentrated, in-person instruction of J-term, alternative arrangements may not be an option in many classes. Students need to be actively engaged in class by Jan. 5 at the latest. After that time, students will be administratively dropped from their J-term class.   

Academic advisors will be able to work with those who need to unenroll in their J-term class because of COVID-19. In such cases, J-term credits can be reused during the spring 2022 semester and will not count towards the 34-credit limit. Details will be shared on an individual basis.   

Next steps for employees

Employees who have tested positive, have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms should contact the Office of Human Resources before reporting to work. Human Resources can provide information about an employee’s need to isolate and/or quarantine, and they can alert other employees about possible exposure. Additionally, Human Resources can explain an employee’s options for working from home, using PTO or COVID time, etc.

Remember #VikingsTakeCare

I realize we’re in a familiar place with regard to COVID-19, but we must remain focused on the safety and mitigation efforts. Working together and taking precautions, we can ensure that Augustana continues to respond to the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic. 

We will continue to provide updates to the campus community, and we plan to host a campus briefing via Zoom Jan. 5, at noon. The Zoom link will be shared on Wednesday morning.

Remember, if you are symptomatic or have tested positive, it’s important to immediately contact Augustana Public Safety at 319-794-7711 to start the contact tracing process.

Augustana leaders will continue to monitor COVID-19, and specifically Omicron’s effects on our community, and will provide updates. In the meantime, please continue to make choices that reflect the values of Augustana and honor what it means to be #AugustanaStrong.

Sincerely,

Wes Brooks, Ph.D. 
Vice President and Dean of Students

P.S. The Augustana Convenient Care Clinic offers COVID-19 testing, vaccinations and booster shots. The clinic is open Monday-Saturday this week.