Dear Monarchs:
Old Dominion University will begin the spring 2022 semester as planned, with in-person classes and fully staffed operations. As students, faculty and staff are returning to campus, a number of proactive measures are being announced to help keep our campus healthy throughout the semester.
New booster requirement
To help protect against severe illness and reduce the emergence of new variants, eligible students, faculty and staff will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster and upload proof in the Monarch Wellness Portal by February 10, 2022.
Students, faculty and staff are eligible to receive a booster six months after receiving their second dose of the Moderna/Pfizer vaccine or two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The deadline to upload proof of vaccination for those who are not yet eligible is within seven days of receiving the booster.
Exemptions can be requested for medical reasons or religious beliefs. All unvaccinated individuals, including those requesting exemptions, will be subject to required weekly testing.
Required negative test for returning students living in campus housing
Students living on campus are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Detailed instructions were emailed to students earlier this week.
All other students, faculty and staff are encouraged to test in order to know their health status before returning to campus for classes and/or work.
Reporting COVID-19 symptoms
Students experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should seek testing through the University's Student Health Center or their local health care provider and notify the University's COVID Cares Team at covidcares@odu.edu, so staff may guide the student through contact tracing, quarantine and isolation protocols, following the latest CDC and VDH guidance.
Faculty and staff experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their health care provider and follow their provider's guidance.
All students, faculty and staff should notify the University of COVID-19 exposure or positive diagnosis by completing the Self-Reporting Form.
Campus-wide surveillance testing
The University will continue to assess campus-wide surveillance testing of students, faculty and staff, regardless of vaccination status. More information will follow as necessary and appropriate.
Masking
Everyone, two years or older, is required to wear a mask over their nose and mouth when indoors in any University property or building, regardless of vaccination status.
Guidance for campus events
The CDC recommends avoiding large events and gatherings. The University is reviewing existing guidance for campus events and will announce any changes, if needed, in the coming weeks.
For more detailed information and the latest updates, please visit odu.edu/covid-19 or contact Student Health Services at studenthealth@odu.edu or 757-683-3132. We encourage you to join us in following the guidelines outlined in the COVID-19 website and look forward to seeing you soon.
The University continues to monitor health trends and related data and will keep the campus informed of any important updates. With existing and new measures in place, coupled with very high campus vaccination rates and the continued diligence of all Monarchs, we look forward to a successful semester!
Reign Responsibly,
Augustine O. Agho, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Don Stansberry, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Engagement & Enrollment Services
