Required Quarantine for Students from Specific States

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing today with challenging news regarding your arrival to campus. Late last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced a required 14-day quarantine for individuals traveling to Pennsylvania from the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. According to our records, your legal home permanent address is located in one of these states. As such, you are required to quarantine upon arrival to Pennsylvania whether you are a residential student or living off campus.

If you are living on campus, you will be provided housing in Hillside Hall during this quarantine period and the College will provide meals. You’ll need to be masked throughout the building with the exception of your room, and you will be scheduled for daily telehealth checks. Additionally, snacks and beverages will be available in Hillside for your convenience. You will need to move all your belongings into the quarantine space and then to your fall housing assignment at the end of the quarantine period. It should be stated that expectations for quarantine include remaining in the building at all times and visitors will not be permitted.

It is important for you to know that we have suspended campus shuttle operations as we cannot safely offer this service. Ground transportation may be arranged from the airport. Please let me know if you need financial assistance with this.

First year students – Our Orientation Student Coordinators are already on campus and will be checking in with you daily to help ease this transition. You will have support during this time and we want to reassure you that you can make this move amidst the challenges of COVID-19. There are a few of you with outstanding health forms and those will need to be received before you can move in. Please contact Melissa Baron (baronmm@westminster.edu) with questions about health forms.

If you are not living on campus, you will need to confirm the date you will be returning to New Wilmington and will need to quarantine in your off-campus location. You will not be permitted to participate in activities or classes without confirmation that you have quarantined for two weeks. Please email me your arrival date and quarantine plans.

The revised arrival dates are as follows:

• RAs, OLs, and fall athletes – July 24
• First-year and returning students – July 28

We understand this may complicate your travel plans and want to offer support. There are some things I would offer for your consideration:

1. Quarantine with friends or family within the State of Pennsylvania rather than on campus is acceptable. If you have this option and intend to do so, please let me know.
2. You may elect to arrive closer to the start of the semester and begin the academic term in quarantine. Faith Craig, Director of Disability Resources, is serving as our contact for academic accommodations related to COVID-19. She can work with you to explore the possibility starting the semester virtually from your quarantine locations. That said, I will need to approve your arrival date and time.
3. You may also explore the option of a virtual semester. While we cannot deliver every class virtually, Faith Craig (craigfa@westminster.edu) can work with you and your professors to explore this possibility or a change in schedule that can accommodate a virtual semester.

Finally, we recognize that you may not be living at the address on record. If you are traveling to Westminster from a different location, please let me know immediately as this may alleviate the need for you to quarantine.

I’m confident this brings up questions for you and your family. Please reach out to me with your questions.

Gina M. Vance
She/Her/Hers
Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students

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