December 13, 2021 Update: COVID-19
Spring Return-to-Campus COVID Protocols
Dear Students,
Our Champlain community has done an extraordinary job navigating a historic health crisis. Thanks to our individual and collective efforts, our campus has continued to sustain low case counts and lower overall COVID transmission than the surrounding community. In that spirit, and as we approach the end of the semester, we want to provide you with some important updates on what to expect when you return to campus this spring. At this time we do not anticipate any changes to the posted spring calendar. We continue to monitor the national and local landscape of COVID-19 and the impact of the Omicron variant, and will adjust our plans as needed.
Boosters
Students are required to receive a COVID-19 booster when they are eligible. Eligibility for the Pfizer or Moderna series is six months after the second vaccination and Johnson & Johnson is two months after the initial vaccination. If you are eligible for a booster by or before January 17, 2022, it is required that you get a booster vaccination prior to returning to campus and upload your updated vaccination information using this form.
The state of Vermont leads the country in booster vaccination rates due to its success in making boosters widely available. It is recommended that out-of-state students who are currently eligible schedule an appointment for a booster dose before leaving Vermont for the break as booster availability is different in every state.
Pre-Arrival Testing
Pre-arrival testing will be required of all residential students prior to returning to campus in the spring semester and strongly recommended for all commuter students. Residential students are required to submit a negative test result before travelling to campus. PCR tests must be collected within the 5 days prior to return to campus. Rapid tests, including tests collected at home, are acceptable if they are collected on the date of travel to campus and are labeled with the student’s name and date of collection. Residential students will not be permitted to move back into campus housing without submitting their negative test result as instructed. Students who have questions or concerns should contact Student Health Services at (802) 860-2711 for assistance.
| Arrival to Campus Date | Pre-Arrival Test Date | |
| Students Attending First-Year & Transfer Orientation | Sunday, January 16 | On or after Tuesday, January 11 |
| Returning Residential Students | Sunday, January 16 | On or after Tuesday, January 11 |
| Commuter Students (recommended but not required) | Monday, January 17 | On or after Wednesday, January 12 |
Move-In for Residential Students
Residential students are welcome to have move-in assistance from family and friends. All students and guests, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear masks while indoors. Residential students will not be required to mask in their individual bedroom, suite, or apartment once guests have departed.
Study Abroad
In addition to the vaccination requirement, students studying abroad this spring are also required to receive a COVID-19 booster when eligible. If you are eligible for a booster dose by or before January 17, 2022, it is required to get your booster vaccination prior to arriving at the Dublin or Montreal campus. Students are required to upload updated vaccination information with this form.
Booster availability varies greatly between countries. Students who are not eligible until after their departure date are encouraged to speak with their medical provider about booster vaccinations and the possibility of getting a booster before departing the United States.
Masking
We anticipate that the College’s current masking policy will continue to be in effect for the spring semester. As a reminder, all students, employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks when in shared indoor spaces. Masking is not required for students in their own residential apartments/suites, but does apply to areas such as common rooms, stairwells, and hallways.
Testing and Quarantine/Isolation Practices
All students will continue to have access to COVID-19 testing throughout the spring semester. The Testing Center is located in Whiting Hall and will be open for asymptomatic testing Monday through Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. Symptomatic testing will continue to be available by appointment through Health Services. Mandatory weekly testing will continue to be required for students and employees with medical or religious vaccination exemptions. The Student Health Center continues to work closely with the Vermont Health Department, and students will follow all isolation or quarantine practices when deemed appropriate.
The Testing Center will have limited hours over the winter break; these hours will be posted on the Student Health Center website. The Testing Center will resume normal hours starting Monday, January 17.
Community Health Pledge
The Champlain Community Health Pledge describes the College’s expectations of you—and our expectations of one another—as we work together to establish and maintain the health of our campus community. Please refamiliarize yourself with our Community Health Pledge prior to your return to campus this spring.
We thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding as we work together toward a successful return-to-campus this spring. We will share additional information as needed as we approach the start of the semester. All of our COVID-related information, including communications to students and FAQs, can be found on Champlain’s website. Please email feedback@champlain.edu with questions.
Wishing you a happy and restful break.
Sincerely,
Danelle Berube
Vice President of Student Affairs
