Student COVID Protocols FAQs

If you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 weekdays, you can go to the Wicker Wellness Center for evaluation and a possible COVID-19 test. If you experience symptoms nights or on the weekend, you should self-administer a rapid test that you bring from home or which can be purchased at a local pharmacy.

Students should inform the College of their positive test by contacting the Wicker Wellness Center during business hours, or by emailing the center at uchealthcenter@union.edu after-hours or on weekends.

The Class Dean will request faculty understanding and flexibility for students in isolation - however, as is the case with any illness, students should communicate directly with their faculty member and be. prepared to connect with a classmate to get any materials they need to stay current in their classes.

The CDC has not changed its guidance regarding isolation since the end of the previous academic year, and our policy remains consistent with that guidance.

Any student who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate in their room for at least five days from the onset of their symptoms or the date of their positive test. Students may end their isolation after five days if they are fever-free without the aid of medication and their other symptoms are improving.

Our isolation protocols are based on a "family unit" response where isolation takes place at home. Students with underlying health conditions that severely compromise their immune system should discuss their options with the staff at Wicker Wellness should their roommate test positive for COVID.

For the most part, individuals isolating with COVID should remain in their residence and avoid contact with others for at least five days. Exceptions include bathroom usage and meal pick-up. You should keep appropriate distance from others at all times.

Students are permitted to leave their isolation space while wearing a mask and go to the designated pick-up area at Dutch Hollow in accordance with dining hours. Students should report immediately back to their isolation space after picking up their meals and avoid contacts along the way.

Consistent with CDC guidance, individuals with COVID-19 should wear a mask when around others - both inside and outside - for the five days following the end of their isolation period.

If you have access to rapid antigen tests, you should consider using them. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.

As is the expectation with any illness or situation that causes you to miss class, students are expected to communicate directly with faculty regarding absences.

When a student reports their positive test result to Wicker Wellness a message will be sent from the Class Deans Office to faculty regarding the absence and we continue to request flexibility from faculty for students in isolation.

Most cases associated with the current variants of COVID-19 have been relatively mild, with symptoms largely resolving within a few days with the help of over-the-counter medications such as fever-reducers or cough medicine.

If, however, this isn’t the case please go to Wicker Wellness Center weekdays for evaluation, or visit a local urgent care facility or your personal physician at other times.

No, but we encourage students in this situation to exercise caution by limiting contact with their roommate and wearing a mask when around their roommate. The COVID-19 positive individual will be required to wear a mask while in isolation. All individuals in the residence should wash their hands often and regularly sanitize surfaces during the isolation period.

We also encourage roommates in this situation to consider wearing masks when around others during the isolation period and to be especially mindful of experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, and that they get tested at the first sign of symptoms.

Roommates are encouraged to discuss this possibility before someone tests positive. We recognize that staying in your room or residence may feel uncomfortable at times, but as is the case with all illnesses, we ask that students cooperate with one another to the greatest extent possible in these situations.

Students with underlying health conditions that compromise their immune system should discuss their options with the staff at Wicker Wellness should their roommate test positive for COVID.