Fall 2022 August Return-to-Campus COVID-19 Protocols


Dear Students, 

I hope you had a terrific summer! We are looking forward to your arrival and the start of classes on August 29th. As we transition into the fall semester, I want to provide a few updates on our COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Throughout the pandemic the College has aligned its policies and practices with guidelines and recommendations from health officials such as the CDC and the Vermont Department of Health. Updates to our policies and protocols reflect current guidance as the management of COVID-19 continues to evolve. 

Pre-Arrival Testing 

All residential students are required to self-administer two rapid antigen tests prior to arriving on campus. Tests should be conducted 24 hours apart; the first should be administered on the day prior to arrival and the second on the day of arrival. Photos of both negative tests should be submitted together through this form. Commuter students are also encouraged to conduct COVID testing prior to their first day on campus. If either of your rapid tests are positive, please do not come to campus and contact the Student Health Center at (802) 860-2711 or healthservices@champlain.edu for guidance on when you can return. Students who arrive on campus but have not documented their pre-arrival test results with the Student Health Center will be asked to obtain a test off campus and submit their negative result prior to moving in.

Masking

As a community, we encourage you to wear a mask in any situation where it is the right choice for you and your personal level of risk. Factors that may impact individual decision making include pre-existing health conditions, living with others who are immunocompromised, travel to areas of high transmission, or attendance at large indoor gatherings.

Based on current recommendations from the CDC, the current status of Champlain’s Burlington campus is “masking optional” in shared, indoor spaces. The CDC continues to update masking recommendations based on county level transmission rates. The College will continue to monitor local community transmission levels and communicate masking recommendations as appropriate. 

Access to COVID-19 Testing

Students will continue to have access to COVID-19 testing throughout the semester. The Student Health Center located in the lower level of Whiting Hall will offer asymptomatic testing Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Symptomatic testing will be available by appointment. We do recommend students bring rapid tests with them to have ready access to testing as needed. The Student Health Center can be reached at (802) 860-2711 or healthservices@champlain.edu

As a reminder, it is recommended that anyone experiencing symptoms avoid close contact with others and be tested for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status. Not sure when to test? Check out this great resource from the CDC.

Please notify the Student Health Center if you test positive for COVID-19. 

Isolation Protocols

Guidance related to isolation practices has evolved since the spring semester. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to isolate for at least 5 days from the date of the positive test result or from the onset of symptoms, whichever is earlier. Residential students will recover in place in their assigned housing and will not be relocated to separate isolation housing. 

Given the increased transmission rates for variants B.4 and B.5 and accelerated timetables of when symptoms occur, in most instances potential exposure for roommates has already occurred. The college will continue to maintain a small number of isolation spaces where students may be temporarily relocated on a case-by-case basis. 

Notifying Close Contacts

It is now the common practice for individuals to self notify their close contacts after testing positive for COVID-19. The Vermont Department of Health defines a close contact as “being within 6 feet, for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, of someone with COVID-19 while they are contagious.” Our Student Health Center team has created materials to assist students in quickly disseminating information to close contacts that is helpful and accurate, and will continue to support students who need assistance. 

Vaccination

Champlain continues to require all students and employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, which includes being up-to-date on booster doses when eligible unless having an approved medical or religious exemption. Instructions for submitting COVID-19 vaccination documentation is found here. It is anticipated that the general public will be eligible for an updated COVID-19 vaccination at some point during the fall semester, which we anticipate being available through the Student Health Center. The College will continue to monitor forthcoming information from the Vermont Department of Health and the CDC and communicate to those eligible once information is available. 

COVID-19 Dashboard

The College will discontinue its COVID-19 dashboard. During earlier phases of the pandemic, case counts were an important metric in understanding transmission risks. However, as vaccination has become prevalent and testing strategies have transitioned from centralized, state-sponsored-PCR testing locations to at-home-rapid-antigen test kits, case counts have become a less reliable metric in indicating transmission risk. As we enter the fall, we will be utilizing state and county assessments to understand transmission rates and changing indicators of risk. 

Throughout the pandemic, Vermont and the Champlain community have been extraordinarily successful in navigating the risks of COVID-19. We have rallied together and through our dedicated and diligent efforts, we have continued to experience low transmission levels on campus. I thank each and every one of you for your sustained commitment to the health of the Champlain community. 

With gratitude,

Danelle Berube
Vice President of Student Affairs