COVID-19 Health & Safety Information
Following the current CDC guidance, the College's policy reflects the COVID-19 community level for Lawrence County, PA. We continue to emphasize the fluid and responsive nature of our policies, which will be updated as we adapt to new or updated federal and state guidelines.
Updated September 2, 2022
Current COVID-19 Community Level - LOW
Low/Medium Level Protocols
When the COVID-19 Community Level for Lawrence County is low or medium, we will operate using the following prevention steps:
- Masking is optional, with the following exceptions:
- Masks are required in the Wellness Center.
- Academic departments or individual faculty members may require students and guests to be masked while inside classrooms or other academic spaces.
- Individual members of the campus community may require masks in their offices or departments when meeting indoors from more than 15 minutes where social distancing is not possible.
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Get tested for COVID-19 if you develop symptoms.
High Level Protocols
When the COVID-19 Community Level for Lawrence County is high, we will operate using the following prevention steps:
- Masking is required indoors.
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
- Get tested for COVID-19 if you develop symptoms.
COVID-19 Testing
Diagnostic Testing
All members of the campus community should monitor their health daily. Any person with new or unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 must be evaluated for COVID-19 testing, regardless of vaccination status.
Students should contact the Wellness Center immediately if they become symptomatic to schedule an appointment for a COVID-19 test. Additionally, self-administered tests will be available to students living in the residence halls for use outside of the Wellness Center hours. To access a test, contact the Residence Life staff. If the test is positive, notify your RA immediately for isolation instructions.
Vaccination
Vaccination is the leading prevention strategy to protect individuals from illness related to contracting the COVID-19 virus. Westminster strongly encourages students, employees and visitors to stay up to date with vaccines as recommended by the CDC.
Vaccination Status Reporting
Students should upload their vaccination records, including any information related to a booster shot, to the Student Health Portal. Employees should report their vaccination status to Human Resources. Individuals who do not report their vaccination status are assumed to be unvaccinated.
Classroom Expectations
When the campus COVID-19 level is Low/Medium, individual faculty will have discretion about requiring masking of all students within their classrooms, laboratories and offices.
As always, reasonable accommodations will be offered for students who are working with the Office of Disability Resources, noting that COVID infections and related quarantine/isolation do not require academic accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Students participating in internships, field experiences, student teaching, and clinical rotations should consult their site supervisor about COVID regulations and policies that exist at the site.
On-Campus Housing
The residence halls are living spaces that seek to provide both a safe place to live and a respite from the maintenance of daily safety procedures. Residence hall protocols are based on COVID-19 community levels.
Low/Medium Level Protocols
When the COVID-19 Community Level for Lawrence County is low or medium, we will operate using the following prevention steps:
- Masking is optional in residence halls.
High Level Protocols
When the COVID-19 Community Level for Lawrence County is high, we will operate using the following prevention steps:
- Masks must be worn indoors by residential students unless in the privacy of their own room.
Travel & Transportation
Students participating in College-sponsored travel are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations.
All College-sponsored trips will comply with destination site requirements, which may include a vaccine requirement for participants. Students should familiarize themselves with any COVID-19 regulations or policies in place for the host site prior to making any travel plans, as they will be subject to those policies.
Study abroad and international travel are subject to destination policies and CDC guidance.
Faculty may require vaccination for domestic College-sponsored travel (e.g., conferences supported by Drinko funds, travel courses, field trips).
Student organization-sponsored travel should follow CDC travel guidelines.
The Extended Athletic Travel COVID Protocol applies to all varsity athletics-related travel (e.g., any trip involving a multiple-night stay). To be eligible for extended travel with an athletic team, athletes and their parents/guardians must complete and return the Extended Athletic Travel Agreement form acknowledging their understanding of and plans to comply with the Protocol.
Out of concern for our employees and those with whom they come in contact, employees must follow CDC travel guidelines and have proof of vaccination on file with Human Resources or have an approved exemption prior to beginning College-sponsored travel.
Exposure to COVID-19 (Close Contact)
Individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 are no longer required to quarantine per CDC guidance, but are recommended to wear a high quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 6 following exposure.
Positive for COVID-19
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 or who are probable for COVID-19 must follow CDC guidance related to isolation periods. Isolation is the term used to separate individuals who are ill with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, have tested positive, or are presumed positive and are awaiting test results.
Additional Information for Students
Students who have COVID-19 will be asked to remain on-campus to avoid exposing their family members at home. During isolation, they will reside in designated residence hall rooms with private bathrooms. Signage with telehealth and dining instructions, important campus contact information, and check out instructions will be provided in each room. Campus custodial staff will disinfect and sanitize each room after use.
Additional Information for Employees
Employees who test positive should notify Human Resources so that case investigation and contact tracing can be conducted. They should inform their supervisor. If remote work is not possible, employees may use Temporary COVID-19 Pandemic Leave and should contact Human Resources for more information.
Additional Information
The information provided on this page is an abridged version of Westminster’s COVID-19 Policy. For the full policy, please visit my.westminster.edu.
If you have questions or concerns about the information and requirements related to these health & safety measures, or if you need to report non-compliance, please email us at healthycampus@westminster.edu.