CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE COMMUNITY HEALTH PLEDGE

Students: Summer 2021

Rev. August 11, 2021

Signing the Summer 2021 Pledge is required for all students who will attend class, live in residential housing or visit campus for any reason.

Champlain College welcomes students back to campus this summer. Our ability to come together to live, learn, and work on our Burlington campus, despite the pandemic, relies on our shared responsibility for one another. Returning to campus will only be possible if all students, faculty, staff, and community members act in a manner consistent with our protective measures that implement federal, state, and local emergency orders, public health guidelines, the State of Vermont College Restart Plan, and guidance from College public health advisors.  

Our Community Health Pledge has been updated to continue to explain the responsibilities and obligations for students returning to campus—please take the time to read it carefully. If you intend to return, it is especially important that you understand both your obligations as a member of our community and how life on campus will be different this year. Champlain College will take all reasonable steps to create a safe environment, but cannot guarantee a risk-free campus.  You also have the ability and the responsibility to protect your own health and safety. Your ability to participate in on-campus life and activities is contingent on you agreeing to and upholding this Community Health Pledge. Please be assured that similar and equivalent responsibilities will apply to faculty, staff, and other on-campus employees.

Note: The pledge was updated on 8/11/21 to reflect changes in maskingpolicies.

𝟏.  I agree to abide by all aspects of the Vermont Forward Plan, including travel, gathering, masking and physical distancing guidelines, as well as sector-specific and Universal Guidance.  The State of Vermont’s Universal Guidance is: 

• Stay home if sick. Do not go out in public if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Unvaccinated people who have not had COVID-19 in the past 90 days and have had close contact for more than 15 minutes with any person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 14 days or for 7 days prior to obtaining a COVID-19 test. See the Department of Health’s guidance for more information on workplace exposures.
• Wear a mask when in shared indoor spaces. Champlain College requires masks for all students, employees, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, when in shared indoor spaces. Masking is not required for students in their own residential apartments/suites. *Updated 8/11/21
• Social distancing is encouraged. Ensure six-foot spaces and uncrowded places. Social distancing of 6 feet is encouraged for unvaccinated individuals but not required.. *Updated 6/15/21
• Practice good hygiene. Frequently wash hands and clean surroundings such as high touch surfaces in accordance with CDC guidance. 
• Think before you travel.  Follow the state’s travel guidance.

𝟐.  I agree to abide by Champlain College COVID-19 requirements.  I will:

• Participate in Champlain’s mandatory weekly testing program until fully vaccinated.
• I will update Champlain College when fully vaccinated using the proper form.
• Stay home or in my residence hall room if ill with COVID-19 symptoms.
• Promptly report any COVID-19 related symptoms to the Student Health Center.
• Participate in contact tracing efforts promptly and honestly. 
• Comply with requests to quarantine or isolate, including moving from my current residence hall or off-campus apartment to quarantine and isolation housing on-campus, if applicable.
• Wear a face mask when in shared indoor spaces, except when alone in a residence hall room, apartment, or personal office. *Updated 8/11/21
• Follow Housing and Residential Life guest policy.
• Submit a student travel form when appropriate.
• Review, acknowledge, and comply with all COVID-19 related policies and procedures.
• Access my Champlain College email account each day to receive important COVID-19 related updates and communications from the College and I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to review and understand any updates.
• Complete all COVID-19 training required by Champlain College.
• Promptly report any known exposures to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.
• Disinfect shared resources after use (eg. computer workstations in the library or computer labs, fitness rooms, etc.) and follow directional signage.
• Abide by any additional health and safety measures implemented by all Champlain College offices and departments, including but not limited to: classrooms, laboratories, and dining facilities.
• Respectfully remind my peers and colleagues of safety expectations, and be respectful of others when they remind me.
• Reject bias, discrimination, and stigma against people of any racial and ethnic backgrounds and those who are perceived to have been exposed to COVID-19.
• Follow COVID-19 safety measures implemented by local businesses, internship and field placement partners, the City of Burlington, and the State of Vermont in off-campus locations, including off-campus residences.
• Comply with all procedures related to closure or suspension of operations as mandated by state, federal, or Champlain College officials, should they become necessary.

In order to protect the campus community, and in response to new or updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the State of Vermont, or other public health authorities, these directives may change and will be available on Champlain’s COVID-19 update site.

It will be more important than ever to be kind, patient, and respectful of each other as we all adjust to this new normal together.  Our ability to give and receive reminders about the importance of these health measures with goodwill and cooperation will benefit our entire community.  At the same time, the College will enforce the public health requirements as defined by the College and the State of Vermont.   

By committing to the Health Pledge, students understand that failure to adhere to the directives listed above will face disciplinary action. This may include immediate removal from campus for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis, as mandated by the State of Vermont. Students who lose the privilege of being part of our campus community can continue their classes entirely virtually, but acknowledge that disciplinary action may include being barred from campus. 

The student disciplinary process outlined in this policy supersedes the Conduct Review Process and exclusively governs issues related to compliance with this policy and sanctions up to exclusion from all on-campus programs, facilities, and activities. If it is necessary for the College to take disciplinary action beyond that sanction, the College’s regular Conduct Review Process will apply. 

It is possible to develop and contract COVID-19, even when individuals follow all safety precautions recommended by the CDC, the State of Vermont, and the College.  We are taking all reasonable steps to mitigate this risk and expect you to do the same to protect yourself and those around you. However, by choosing to participate in person, students can never be completely shielded from all risk of exposure or illness caused by COVID-19 or other infections.

If I elect to cease in-person attendance/residence and/or vacate my residence hall room based on concerns related to COVID-19 in the absence of a mandated departure, I will not be provided any refund for room/board. 

By returning to campus, I agree that I will comply with Champlain College’s public health rules, policies, and protective measures.  I understand that I may contract COVID-19 and assume the risks associated with returning to school and that any failure to comply with our rules may be subject to sanction or discipline in accordance with the College’s policies.