Dear Students,

The Evergreen campus is full of excitement in anticipation of the arrival of students and the start of classes in September. Over the course of this summer, professionals throughout the University have continued to work to plan for an exciting fall semester.

We wanted to reach out with information for you to have about the Fall 2022 semester as you plan for your arrival:

COVID Vaccination Requirement
Loyola continues to require the COVID vaccine initial series and first booster dose for all students, faculty, staff, and administrators—with the exception of those with an approved medical or religious exemption. Our high compliance rates with this policy have placed us in a good position for this semester.

While we fully understand that the vaccine does not necessarily prevent you from getting COVID-19, we are encouraged that those who are vaccinated do not show severe, significant symptoms that may require more than typical outpatient care.

For students who are returning to campus, we would like to remind you that if you had an approved religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine last semester you should complete the waiver request again as that did expire at the end of the last academic year.

Flu Shot Requirement
We will also be mandating the flu shot again this year for all students. We will partner with Giant Pharmacy to bring flu vaccination clinics to the Evergreen campus again this semester at no or low cost to our students. Documentation of this requirement is due on your student health portal by Dec. 1.

COVID Testing
We will no longer perform surveillance testing on campus this fall. We will, however, continue to offer students the opportunity for COVID testing if they have symptoms of COVID or are exposed to COVID. That testing will be available through Student Health Services, which will have appointments for both testing and provider visits as needed. Please refer to the Student Health and Education Services website for hours and contact information.

Reporting Positive COVID Results
Once the semester begins, students who test positive for COVID-19 will report their results on the Student COVID Case Reporting form. Once that form is complete, students will receive further information on next steps through email.

Isolation and Quarantine
Students who test positive for COVID-19 will isolate in place, in their own residence hall bedrooms, for the course of their isolation period. If a student would prefer to go home to isolate that option is always open so long as they can get home without requiring public transportation. Loyola is joining many other universities across the country in viewing each residence hall room, suite, or apartment like the family unit you may have at home.

A student who tests positive will need to isolate for at least five days after the date of their positive test (the date of the positive test is day ZERO). In order to be cleared from isolation, students will work with Student Health Services and LifeBridge Health to determine when they may return to classes and campus activities. Students with symptoms and/or a fever may be required to isolate for 10 days.

For more details, see the COVID website.

Contact Tracing
Loyola will continue to conduct contact tracing within our community. After students report their positive tests through the reporting form, contact tracing will begin.

Masking
Masking is currently not mandatory on campus except in healthcare offices such as Student Health Services and the Counseling Center.

Loyola reserves the right to change its COVID policies at any time for the health and safety of the community.  

Prepare for Your Arrival

Before you arrive to start the semester:

• Test Before Arrival: All undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to test at home prior to coming and inform Student Life if they will be delayed in their return to campus beyond their prescheduled move in time.
• Pack COVID Supplies: You will want to purchase KN95 or N95s to have on hand in case you test positive and other masks to wear if you are a close contact and need to mask temporarily to go to class and enjoy campus life. You might also want to bring a thermometer and home tests, as well as pain relievers in case you have a fever. See the SHS Student Health Packing List for ideas on how to prepare for the semester.

Other Information
You may be following news related to cases of monkeypox in the United States. Loyola is monitoring that situation and working with the Baltimore City Health Department. You can learn more about monkeypox on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Conclusion
Thank you for doing your part to keep yourself and all members of our community healthy and safe. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,  

Julie Sanz, MSN, ANP-BC
Director, Loyola Student Health Services