Current operating plan (Jan. 10, 2022)

Dear JMU Community,

We hope you're enjoying your break and are also ready to start a new semester soon. Campus is so quiet right now, and the recent snow didn't seem right without students building snowmen on the Quad. We are looking forward to your return soon and want to update you on what to expect this spring semester. While public health information changes almost daily, we have believed in and taken strength from our campus community’s ability to come together for our common good. The fall semester was a success because of you, and the spring can be too if we all agree that we’re in this together.

Our plans are to continue with most of the same health and safety protocols that we found to be so effective at keeping us all safe in the fall semester with a few modifications.

The semester will begin as scheduled on January 18 in person. Classes will meet as they are currently scheduled, though temporary shifts in a particular class’s modality may occur as needed throughout the semester. Fall semester went extremely well, and there is no evidence that any viral transmission has occurred in classrooms during any stage of the pandemic. Since the Omicron variant is proving to be highly transmissible, our indoor mask requirement is still in place and all of us need to follow this public measure strictly.

As a community, we must accept that COVID is part of our lives now and learn how to live with it while keeping one another safe. We are prepared for the number of cases to likely be considerably higher than in the past. But we are in a much different place than at any time during the pandemic because the vast majority of our community is vaccinated. Those who are vaccinated are far less likely to experience severe illness or require hospitalization and they appear to shed the virus for a shorter period. So, let’s bring to the spring the same spirit of community and possibility that kept us safe and made the fall semester such a success.

We know you have questions, and most can be answered by visiting the Stop the Spread website and reading our FAQ pages. Here is some key information:

Testing

• Testing will be available for all students, faculty and staff who have symptoms or have been exposed. Testing will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.– noon in Warren Hall 502. Advance registration is required.
• Entry testing will be required for all unvaccinated students who live on campus when they return. Details will be sent to them directly.
• Students with an Assumption of Risk Waiver will receive direct communication to their JMU email address about testing.
• Unvaccinated employees will still undergo weekly screening testing until further notice.
• The University Health Center will also continue to provide testing by appointment Monday through Friday.

Quarantine and Isolation

• Students, faculty and staff who test positive, are symptomatic or have a known exposure must follow CDC requirements for quarantine and isolation.
• Students living on campus who test positive, are symptomatic or have a known exposure will isolate or quarantine in their own rooms following these guidelines.
• Students should make a COVID-19 plan prior to arriving on campus. Many students are more comfortable isolating or quarantining at home.
• The university will continue to maintain quarantine and isolation beds.
• Students should work directly with their instructors to make arrangements for missed classes.

Masks

• Following our existing guidelines, masks will continue to be required of all JMU community members and guests while indoors in JMU owned or leased buildings.
• Properly wearing a new, well-fitted mask is essential to best protect yourself and other members of our community. See CDC mask guidance for additional information.

Vaccines and Boosters

• All faculty, staff and students must adhere to current vaccine requirements.
  • Specific vaccine information for students.
  • Specific vaccine information for faculty and staff.
• All eligible members of the community are strongly encouraged to get the booster.
• Students and employees should share records of completed boosters with the University Health Center through MyJMUChart. Quarantine guidelines are based on vaccination status and having booster records on file will help determine someone’s quarantine requirements, should they be exposed.
• Vaccines and boosters are available on campus.

As the public health situation continues to evolve rapidly and guidance changes, the university may revise its protocols as needed. The JMU community has proven to be flexible and resilient, and we expect another successful semester. You all have shown such grace in recent challenging times and we believe in all of you going forward. We’re in this together. And together we can thrive despite the challenges.

Remember that most of your questions can be answered by visiting the Stop the Spread website and reading the FAQs. If you can’t find an answer there, questions can be directed to covid19@jmu.edu. The HelpLine will reopen later this week, and the Stop the Spread website will be updated with its information at that time.

Have a great week, and we'll see you soon!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Alger, President

Heather Coltman, Provost

Donna Harper, VP Access and Enrollment

Nick Langridge, VP Advancement

Tim Miller, VP Student Affairs

Towana Moore, Interim VP Administration and Finance