Press "Enter" to skip to content

Email from Associate Dean Krupp 11/12: COVID Policy Reminders for Students

Published November 15, 2021 by Mitch Moste

Dear Sanford Professional and Graduate Students,

I am writing to reiterate COVID-19 processes in case you have any questions. Below is a list of websites and other resources where all students, faculty and staff can find up-to-date information about COVID-19 policies and protocols.

Remember that positive COVID-19 cases will happen, even in our highly vaccinated population. The COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent infection, but are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death. We are hopeful that COVID will loosen its grip as vaccine boosters and vaccinations for children become more widespread.

Please take heed of the following resources and guidelines:

Resources:

Additionally, here are some specific reminders and policies from the university:

Testing Protocols & Data

  • If you are a student who has been exposed to a person with COVID-19 or you are a student experiencing COVID-like symptoms, you should immediately contact Student Health by calling 919-681-9355 and choosing option 1. Student Health will handle student testing, contact tracing, and instructions for isolating or quarantining.
  • Students experiencing COVID symptoms must contact Student Health and follow their instructions. The following site details Duke’s testing and isolation protocols for students: https://returnto.duke.edu/covid-19-testing/.
  • If students are sick and/or isolating due to a COVID diagnosis, they should not attend class. Faculty should use the course absence policy and makeup policy per the syllabus.
  • All students, regardless of vaccination status, will be tested at least once a week, per the Undergraduate Student COVID-19 Policy Plan and the Graduate and Professional Student COVID-19 Policy Plan. Students who have been vaccinated may also be asked to participate in surveillance testing more than once per week based on changing conditions or their individual circumstances. Students can also walk-in for testing as many times as they like, in addition to their mandatory weekly test.
  • Duke continues to report its testing data every Monday afternoon on the Coronavirus Response website, via Duke social media channels like Twitter and in The Duke Daily. That webpage also provides new CDC-recommended guidelines for quarantining and isolation for students living both on and off-campus.

Campus Safety Measures

  • Masks are required on the Duke campus in all indoor locations, unless you are exercising alone, actively eating or drinking, or otherwise not around others. After vaccinations, masks are the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. More details on the masking requirements are available on the Duke United website. Masks are also required on all buses and at bus stops.
    • Masks are recommended—but not required—in semi-public residential spaces (commons rooms, laundry rooms).
    • Individuals on campus no longer need to wear masks in outdoor congregate settings, including athletic events. However, individuals are encouraged to carry a mask to wear in the event social distancing cannot be effectively maintained in outdoor settings. Also, please respect anyone who chooses to continue wearing masks as a means to prevent exposure to themselves or loved ones.
    • Indoor seating is now at 50% capacity at most Duke Dining locations, and masks are required when not actively eating/drinking: Duke Dining | Student Affairs.
    • All student organization programs with 50 or more attendees need to be registered and approved through DukeGroups. This continues a practice established last academic year. To reduce the risk of transmission, events should be held outside when possible. This policy applies to events already scheduled and posted in DukeGroups. If an event is not approved before the event is to take place, event hosts should plan to hold events virtually.
    • Duke urges all students to use caution in attending events that carry greater risk of infection and transmission to others. The Delta variant is at least 2 times more transmissible than previous COVID variants, so it takes very little time for someone to become infected while unmasked.
    • Guidance re: holiday gatherings was just released: Guidance on Holiday Parties, Receptions and Gatherings – Coronavirus Response (duke.edu)

Vaccination Reporting

  • All Duke University students, faculty and staff have been required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved medical or religious exemption.
  • Vaccine boosters are now available to all Duke University students, faculty and staff.  Please visit Duke’s Covid Vaccine website for additional information and to schedule an appointment.
  • Visit the COVID Vaccine website to learn how to obtain a free, safe COVID-19 vaccine and to check and/or report your vaccination status.

All informational messages sent by President Price, Provost Kornbluth, Vice President Cavanaugh, the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic are available on the Coronavirus Response website.

Stay well, everyone!

 

Cory Krupp, PhD
Associate Dean of Academic Programs
Sanford School of Public Policy
Duke University
302 Towerview Road
Box 90237
Durham, NC 27708-0237
(919) 613-9221

 

Published in Uncategorized