Reentry Updates for Students

February 10, 2023

As we progress through the 2023 Spring Term, it is important to reinforce the University’s COVID-19 safety and health protocols. We are strongly encouraging the COVID-19 vaccine, including boosters, for all University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) students to keep our communities safe and to ensure progression in your programs.

As a reminder, a significant majority of our clinical sites continue to require students and others to be fully vaccinated, including booster shots, to meet this requirement. Clinical placements and experiences are at risk for those students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• State and/or federal regulations continue to change and may require that you be fully vaccinated to complete your clinical experience in certain settings.

• Many of our health care partners are choosing to require that students be fully vaccinated prior to the start date of their clinical experiences.
  —This may include a requirement for COVID-19 booster shots, as well, to meet the fully vaccinated requirement.
  —In addition, California maintains a health care worker vaccine requirement that affects those doing a clinical or wanting placement in that state.
• Students must follow the policies of the clinical sites, including COVID-19 vaccine exemptions. USAHS does not grant exemptions for COVID vaccines for students placed in clinical sites, for any reason.
• Some sites are providing USAHS with very little notice of their vaccination requirements. This relative lack of notice places unvaccinated students at risk of a significant delay or cancellation of their clinical placement, potentially delaying their graduation date or ability to complete the program requirements. If the clinical facility institutes a mandatory vaccination policy while the student is in a clinical experience, the student could be required to leave that site until fully vaccinated. A replacement site may not be possible due to these requirements.
• We also are hearing a similar message from many of our health care partners that hire our students in that failure to vaccinate could impact employment opportunities upon graduation.

• Numerous partners that host students for activities connected to their academic program, such as observations and demonstrations, are also requiring vaccines for participants. Failing to vaccinate could result in a loss of opportunities to participate in such required program activities and experiences, and thus could result in delays in completing your program.

Failure to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 could result in a significant delay or cancellation of your clinical placement, jeopardize program completion, and/or impact employment opportunities upon graduation.

Thank you for your continued support and fortitude.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit www.usa.edu/return-to-campus.

December 16, 2022

As we prepare for the 2023 Spring Term and start of a new year, updates to our Campus Reentry Safety Protocols, effective Tuesday, January 3, are as follows.

What Is the 2023 Spring Term Campus Safety Protocol?

• Health Screen: Completion of the Daily Health Screening, and associated QR code scanning and colored wrist bands, will no longer be required for campus access. The QR code kiosks will be removed from campus facilities.
• If you are not feeling well, do not come to campus. Report absences to:
  • Students, contact your faculty and Academic Program Director.
  • Employees, contact your supervisor to coordinate remote work or a sick day.  If you are not feeling well, you are encouraged to use your available sick time in Dayforce.
• Clinical Placements: Most clinical partners require students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to meet their clinical experience requirement. Clinical placements and experiences may be at risk for those students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Face Masks remain optional in all campus facilities, except for:
  • If you are exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wear a mask for 10 full days following the most recent date of exposure.
  • If you test positive for COVID-19, remain off campus and isolate for five days after the date of symptom onset. When symptoms resolve, campus may be accessed if a mask is worn at all times through the 10th day after symptoms began.
  • We continue to encourage the use of face masks for our pro-bono clinics and with research study participants.
  • Face masks will continue to be made available on all campuses.
• COVID-19 Contact Tracing: Reentry will no longer complete contact tracing, including sending notices when a person who tested positive for COVID-19 was on campus.
• Additional Reminders:
  • Cleaning and sanitizing procedures will be maintained throughout the campuses.
  • All classrooms/labs are equipped with disinfectants, paper towels and wipes for additional cleaning during class.
  • Please wash your hands with soap often and for at least 20 seconds and sanitize hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer when wash areas are not available. Hand sanitizer is provided throughout campus.
  • Follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations to protect yourself and others, including getting tested for COVID-19 if needed, increasing space and distance, and staying home if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Reentry Support and Resources

Reentry Hours: The Reentry mailbox ([email protected]) and telephone number (855-468-7247) will continue to be monitored during the 2023 Spring Term 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday-Friday. Email/voicemails received Friday evening through Sunday morning will be reviewed Sunday evening ET and will be answered by noon ET the following Monday.

Please refer to the Campus Reentry page for policies and procedures, including the updated FAQS and Reentry Decision Chart. For general guidance or support:

• Students should contact their Student Success Advisor (must be logged into MyUSA to see list of Student Success Advisors).
• Employees should consult with their supervisor.

Thank you for helping to keep our campuses open and thriving! We will continue to carefully monitor changes in pandemic conditions, and as has been our practice, revise campus entry protocols if necessary to maintain a safe campus environment.

We look forward to an exciting campus experience for the 2023 Spring Term! Stay safe and be well.

September 9, 2022

Dear University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Community,

As we begin the 2022 Fall Term, updates to our Campus Reentry Safety Protocols will be introduced, effective Monday, September 12. The University is implementing these changes to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on testing, vaccinations and quarantine periods.

What Is the Campus Safety Protocol?

• Vaccines/Testing are no longer required for students, employees or visitors to enter campus.
• Daily Health Screening must be completed prior to coming to campus. Please have your QR code ready, along with your badge, upon entering campus and remember to scan out at the end of day. The screening form questions have been revised, so please read and answer them carefully.
• Wrist Bands must be visible and worn around your wrist while on campus that day.
• Clinical Placements: Most clinical partners require students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to meet their Clinical Experience requirement. Clinical placements and experiences may be at risk for those students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
  
• Face Masks remain optional in all campus facilities, except for post-positive COVID-19 diagnosis or exposure as instructed by the USAHS Reentry Team. We continue to encourage the use of face masks for our pro-bono clinics and with research study participants. Face masks will continue to be made available on all campuses.
• Visitors will continue to be limited to those on official University business or who support USAHS’ academic purpose.
• Additional Reminders:
  • Cleaning and sanitizing procedures will be maintained throughout the campuses.
  • All classrooms/labs are equipped with disinfectants, paper towels and wipes for additional cleaning during class.
  • Please wash your hands with soap often and for at least 20 seconds and sanitize hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer when wash areas are not available. Hand sanitizer is provided throughout campus.

Reentry Support and Resources

Please refer to the Campus Reentry page for policies, procedures and FAQs. Questions not found there and related to the reentry process can be sent to [email protected].

For general guidance or support:

• Students should contact their Student Success Advisor (must be logged into MyUSA to see list of Student Success Advisors).
• Employees should consult with their supervisor.

***Important*** Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness.

• If you are not feeling well, do not come to campus.
• Students, if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to monkeypox, contact your Academic Program Director AND [email protected].
• Employees, if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to monkeypox, contact your supervisor AND [email protected].

Thank you for helping to keep our campuses open and thriving! We will continue to carefully monitor changes in pandemic conditions, and as has been our practice, revise campus entry protocols if necessary to maintain a safe campus environment. We look forward to a dynamic campus experience for the 2022 Fall Term! Stay safe and be well.

July 11, 2022

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) maintains its health and safety protocols, including daily health screening, vaccine and testing options, and cleaning procedures.

As a reminder, anyone who accesses a USAHS campus must either submit proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result administered within the past seven days prior to each campus entry. The University has updated what type of COVID-19 test is acceptable. COVID-19 testing resources have been expanded to provide increased flexibility and test-from-home options.

Updates to Frequently Asked Questions and COVID-19 Protocol

Test Flexibility: COVID-19 tests must have either Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or be operating per the Laboratory Developed Test requirements by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. USAHS accepts antigen COVID-19 tests. Antibody tests do not meet testing requirements.

• Lab-certified test results must indicate a negative result and include your name and date of the test specimen collection.
• At-home COVID-19 test options will include self-interpretation of test results with all the following conditions:

1. Two (2) at-home tests must be completed 24 hours apart, each indicating negative results,
2. The second negative test must be completed within seven (7) days prior to the date of campus entry to be valid,
3. Each test must be clearly labeled with permanent ink identifying the specimen date,
4. Negative test results must be uploaded in a single image containing both negative test results when prompted on the USAHS Health Screening Form. By uploading the image, you are attesting that the proper testing procedure was followed, the specimens are your own and are accurately dated.

Please refer to the updated Reentry FAQs.

Health Screening Form: Question 4 on travel restrictions on the USAHS Health Screening Form has been deleted, as it is longer applicable.

Helpful reminders:

• Stay home if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms or are not feeling well.
• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Masks are optional, however are highly encouraged, especially for our pro-bono clinics where at-risk patients participate and with at-risk research study participants.
• Consider getting a vaccination/booster if you haven’t already.
• If you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your Academic Program Director AND [email protected].
• CDC Tips for How to Protect Yourself & Others

For general guidance or support, please consult with your Student Services Advisor. You can also send questions related to the reentry process to [email protected].

June 6, 2022

USAHS maintains its health and safety protocols, including daily health screening, vaccine and testing options, and cleaning procedures.

Updates to Frequently Asked Questions and COVID-19 protocol:

• COVID-19 Test Flexibility—COVID-19 testing resources have been expanded to provide increased flexibility and test-from-home options.  COVID-19 tests are no longer required to be administered by a medical professional or licensed pharmacist if the test result is processed by a certified lab to ensure the integrity of the sample and interpretation of results. All test results must be lab certified and include your name and date of the test specimen collection. Antibody tests do not meet testing requirements. Refer to the updated Reentry FAQs.

Helpful reminders:

• Stay home if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms or are not feeling well.
• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Masks are optional, however are highly encouraged.
• Consider getting a vaccination/booster if you haven’t already.
• If you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your Academic Program Director AND [email protected].
• CDC Tips for How to Protect Yourself & Others

For general guidance or support, please consult with your Student Services Advisor. You can also send questions related to the reentry process to [email protected].

May 20, 2022

As we start the 2022 Summer Term, it is important to reinforce the University’s COVID-19 safety and health protocols. We are strongly encouraging the COVID-19 vaccine, including boosters, for all University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) students to keep our communities safe and to ensure progression in your programs. Furthermore, as a reminder, a significant majority of our clinical sites continue to require students and others to be fully vaccinated, including booster shots, to meet this requirement.

Community and Clinical Experiences at Risk
Clinical placements and experiences are at risk for those students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• State and/or federal regulations continue to change and may require that you be fully vaccinated to complete your clinical experience in certain settings.
• At this time, while some announced regulations around mandatory vaccination are not yet fully enforceable, many of our health care partners are still choosing to require that students be fully vaccinated prior to the start date of their clinical experiences.
  • This may include a requirement for COVID-19 booster shots, as well, to meet the fully vaccinated requirement.
  • In addition, California is now requiring all health care workers to be vaccinated, which affects those doing a clinical or wanting placement in that state.

• • Students must follow the policies of the clinical sites, including COVID vaccine exemptions. USAHS does not grant exemptions for COVID vaccines for students placed in clinical sites, for any reason.
  • Some sites are providing USAHS with very little notice of their vaccination requirements. This relative lack of notice places unvaccinated students at risk of a significant delay or cancellation of their clinical placement, potentially delaying their graduation date or ability to complete the program requirements. If the clinical facility institutes a mandatory vaccination policy while the student is in a clinical experience, the student could be required to leave that site until fully vaccinated. A replacement site may not be possible due to these requirements.
  • We also are hearing a similar message from many of our health care partners that hire our students in that failure to vaccinate could impact employment opportunities upon graduation. Unvaccinated students can also face travel limitations for extended quarantine that are not required for those who are fully vaccinated, which could also impact the ability to participate in academic activities, including field experiences.
  • Numerous partners that host students for activities connected to their academic program, such as observations and demonstrations, are now requiring vaccines for participants. Failing to vaccinate could result in a loss of opportunities to participate in such required program activities and experiences, and thus could result in delays in completing your program.

Failure to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 could result in a significant delay or cancellation of your clinical placement, jeopardize program completion, and/or impact employment opportunities upon graduation.

We are eager to see an active, dynamic campus experience. To have such an experience, we truly need everyone’s commitment to stop COVID-19 and to do our part to end this pandemic. Thank you for your continued support and fortitude.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit www.usa.edu/return-to-campus, including the Quick Reference Guide to COVID-19 Links.

May 5, 2022

In the 2022 Spring Term, we relaxed mask requirements for on-campus activities. This change was successfully executed without experiencing an increase in COVID-19 positive results among students or employees. As such, we will be making masks optional for all on-campus activities, effective with the start of the 2022 Summer Term.

What Is the Campus Safety Protocol?

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences will maintain its health and safety protocols, including quarantine periods, cleaning procedures, and vaccine and testing options.

• Daily Health Screening Forms Required: The daily health screening must be completed prior to coming to campus, and building entry procedures must be followed. Please have your QR code ready, along with your badge, upon entering campus and remember to scan out/QR out at the end of day at the nearest kiosk.
• Face Masks Optional: Beginning Monday, May 9, the use of face masks will be optional in all campus facilities. We continue to encourage the use of masks for our pro-bono clinics where at-risk patients participate. Please refer to the Campus Reentry page for updated, detailed policies and procedures.
• Badges: Everyone needs to swipe their badge before they enter the building for security purposes. Note: Swiping your badge to get in the building is a separate step from the Daily Health Screen check-in /check-out.
• Additional Reminders: To safeguard the health and safety of the campus community, enhanced cleaning procedures continue to follow best practice. All classrooms/labs are equipped with disinfectants, paper towels and wipes for additional cleaning during class.

Please be sure to wash your hands with soap often and for at least 20 seconds, and sanitize hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer when wash areas are not available. Hand sanitizer is provided throughout campus.

For general guidance or support, please consult with your Student Success Advisor or Program Director (must be logged into MyUSA to see list of Student Success Advisors). You can also send questions related to the reentry process to [email protected].

We will continue to carefully monitor changes in pandemic conditions, and as has been our practice, revise campus entry protocols if necessary to maintain a safe campus environment. We look forward to a dynamic campus experience for the 2022 Summer Term! Stay safe, be well and see you soon!

March 14, 2022

In accordance with changing CDC guidelines and lower levels of the COVID-19 virus throughout our campus communities, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences will revise its on-campus mask policy beginning March 16.

Effective Wednesday, March 16, the University will implement the following changes to the on-campus mask policy for all students, faculty, staff and visitors:

• Academic Areas: Three-ply, surgical/procedural face masks, or N95 / KN95 masks, are required to be worn by all students, employees and visitors while present in classrooms, labs, pro bono clinics, the Center for Innovative Clinical Practice (CICP) and during any activities with patients. This policy is effective regardless of the number of people in these academic campus rooms or locations.
• Non-Academic Areas: In all other campus areas (including hallways, offices/office areas, libraries, lounges and study spaces), masks will be optional for all students, faculty and staff.
  • Visitors in Non-Academic Areas: Masks will also be optional in these areas for those visitors who disclose they have been fully vaccinated, per USAHS’ vaccination definition. Please note that masks will be required for all visitors in Academic Areas as defined in the previous section.
  • Visitors who choose the testing/non-vaccination disclosure option will be required to wear a three-ply, surgical/procedural or N95 / KN95 face mask on all areas of the campus.
• Acceptance of Masking Decision: We must respect the decision made by each student and employee. Acceptance and courtesy are expected from all members of the University community.

No changes will be undertaken to the University entry protocols or the availability of masks.

• Mask Availability: The University will continue to supply three-ply, surgical masks to those who need or request them.
• Entry Protocols Continuation: All other USAHS campus entry safety protocols remain the same. Individuals should continue to follow best practices in infection prevention through hand washing, physical distancing and abiding by the criteria on the Daily Health Screening entry form prior to coming to campus.

Mask protocols will be reevaluated versus CDC guidelines and campus safety as we move toward making masks optional for the 2022 Summer Term.

Please review the Campus Entry Protocol Mask Changes FAQs. For additional questions, you may also contact [email protected] or visit usa.edu/return-to-campus. Thank you for your cooperation and for continuing to keep our campus communities safe.

February 9, 2022

As an important reminder, effective Monday, February 14, the University will include boosters as part of its definition of fully vaccinated, as defined below, for Campus Entry Protocols for all students, employees and visitors. The booster will only be necessary if your initial vaccine was finalized more than five months ago, and you choose to enter campus with voluntary vaccination disclosure.

What does “fully vaccinated” mean? You are considered fully vaccinated if you have received your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines. Effective Monday, February 14, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences will consider you fully vaccinated and up to date if you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible. Specifically, this means:

• A Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccine dose within the last five months. The five-month timing starts from the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and the single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine; OR
• A booster shot, if eligible. In other words, if your vaccination of the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson was administered more than five months ago as defined in the prior point, you will need to have the booster to maintain full vaccination status at USAHS.

The Daily Health Screening form has been updated to reflect this change and allows you to upload your confidential vaccine booster confirmation, if applicable. The form provides the details on what is required and when for each user.

• Example A: Student Sally Smith received her second dose of the Moderna vaccine January 1, 2022, and uploaded verification into the Daily Health Screening Form at that time. Sally will not need to upload any further documentation by February 14 when she comes to campus, as she is not eligible for a booster until June 1, 2022.
• Example B: Faculty member Sean Smith received his single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine September 1, 2021. Beginning February 14, Sean would either need to voluntarily submit proof of his booster shot (since it has been more than five months since vaccination) or choose the testing option to enter campus.
• Example C: Staff member Samantha Smith is not vaccinated and has been providing evidence of a valid COVID-19 test administered within the past seven days prior to each campus entry. Effective February 14, Samantha will continue to provide testing documentation in the Daily Health Screening form each time she comes to campus.

FAQs: The Reentry Protocol FAQs, which are posted to our reentry site, have been updated with a section on Boosters to address questions regarding how soon a person can receive a booster after having COVID-19, eligibility questions, details on what “fully vaccinated” means and more.

Masks: The University will also continue to reinforce the use of face masks and public health measures that it has embraced during the pandemic. As a reminder, a three-ply, surgical/procedural face mask, or a N95 / KN95 mask, must always be worn when entering/exiting campus and while on campus. Reference: COVID-19 Policy on PPE Requirements.

Please visit usa.edu/return-to-campus for resources, policies and more. Questions not addressed on the site or in the FAQs should be directed to [email protected]. Thank you for your cooperation and for continuing to keep our campus communities safe.

As an important reminder, the University will include boosters as part of its definition of fully vaccinated for Campus Entry Protocols, effective Monday, February 14. The booster will only be necessary if your initial vaccine was finalized more than five months ago, and you choose to enter campus with voluntary vaccination disclosure. The Daily Health Screening form has been updated to reflect this change and allows you to upload your confidential vaccine booster confirmation, if applicable.

NOTE: Campus entry requirements have not changed for the 2022 Spring Term. Individuals will have a choice to either voluntarily disclose vaccination status or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days of entering campus.

As shared in the January 10 CEO message, to protect the learning environment in our facilities and mitigate teaching disruptions, campus entry requirements provide the following options:

• Option 1: All USAHS students, faculty and staff will be asked to voluntarily disclose and agree to provide documentation that they have been fully vaccinated, as defined below, for COVID-19.
• Option 2: Those who are not fully vaccinated or do not wish to disclose their vaccination status will be required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days prior to each campus entry. The COVID-19 test must be administered by a healthcare professional or a licensed pharmacist to ensure integrity of the sample and accurate interpretation of results. (Reference the FAQs for further information on valid testing.)
• Vendors and campus visitors will be required to comply with the same campus entry requirements, adhering to one of the two options. Visitors are limited to those on official University business or who support the USAHS academic purpose. 

Definition of Fully Vaccinated: You are considered fully vaccinated if you have received your primary series of COVID-19 vaccines. Effective Monday, February 14, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences will consider you fully vaccinated and up to date if you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including any booster dose(s) when eligible.

FAQs: The Reentry Protocol FAQs, which are posted to our reentry site, have been updated with a section on Boosters to address questions regarding how soon a person can receive a booster after having COVID-19, eligibility questions, details on what “fully vaccinated” means and more. Should you have additional questions not addressed in the FAQs, please contact [email protected].

Masks: The University will also continue to reinforce the use of face masks and public health measures that it has embraced during the pandemic. As a reminder, a three-ply, surgical/procedural face mask, or a N95 / KN95 mask, must always be worn when entering/exiting campus and while on campus. Reference: COVID-19 Policy on PPE Requirements

Confidentiality: All information shared with the University will be confidential and only viewed by COVID-19 response personnel who follow all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protocols.

The University will continue to assess expert guidance for maintaining a safe and healthy campus environment and updating and revising its protocols as added information becomes available. Thank you for doing your part to keep our entire USAHS community safe and healthy.

Throughout the pandemic, we have been unwavering in our commitment to student success, academic excellence and campus safety. Because of your diligence in adhering to Campus Entry Safety Protocols, we are able to begin the 2022 Spring Term with the resumption of all in-person classes, labs and on-campus academic activities.

To continue to ensure a safe campus environment for our students, faculty and staff, and to align our guidelines to those recently updated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we have revised our campus entry requirements for the 2022 Spring Term. These updated protocols address masks, length of necessary isolation/quarantine for those who have tested positive for or have a confirmed exposure to COVID-19, and vaccine booster shots.

1. MASKS/PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Effective immediately, a three-ply, surgical/procedural face mask must always be worn when entering/exiting campus and while on campus. USAHS will provide surgical/procedural masks for all students and employees who do not have them.

• As an alternate to a three-ply, surgical mask, N95 or KN95 masks are approved to wear on campus.
• Cloth masks may only be worn over a three-ply surgical mask.
• Face masks will continue to be required regardless of vaccination or booster status.
• Please ensure you are wearing your mask properly, so it covers your nose and mouth.

Reference: COVID-19 Policy on PPE Requirements

2. ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS FOR POSITIVE DIAGNOSIS OR EXPOSURE

Effective immediately to align with the CDC’s most recent guidelines, if you have a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or have been exposed to COVID-19, follow these USAHS guidelines:

If you test positive or are presumed positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status):

• Isolate and stay home for five (5) days.
• You may return to campus after five (5) days have passed since symptoms first appeared, AND you have improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), AND at least 24 hours of no fever without the use of fever-reducing medication, AND received clearance to reenter campus by a member of the USAHS Reentry Team ([email protected] or 1-855-GOUSAHS). A negative test result may be required before campus reentry.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19:

• You are required to stay home and quarantine, and may not access campus, for five (5) days from the date of last contact, AND receive clearance to reenter campus by a member of the USAHS Reentry Team ([email protected] or 1-855-GOUSAHS). A negative test result may be required before campus reentry.
• Exceptions to quarantine will be made for individuals who are currently asymptomatic AND either (a) have been boosted for at least 10 days (FDA authorized vaccine booster only), (b) have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks (FDA authorized vaccine only) within the past five months, or (c) have had COVID-19 within the last three months.
• It is recommended to test on day 5, if possible.
• If symptoms develop, get a test and stay home.

REMINDER Notification: If you have contracted COVID-19 or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, campus safety protocol requires:

• All impacted individuals must notify the Reentry team by sending a brief email to [email protected].
• Students must also contact their Program Director.
• Faculty and staff should contact their supervisor and local campus Human Resources partner.

If you are not feeling well or have new or unexplained COVID-19-related symptoms that began in the last five (5) days, please stay home and consult your health care provider for guidance and contact [email protected].

References:

• Health Screening Policy
  

3. VACCINATIONS, BOOSTER SHOTS AND TESTING 

Campus entry requirements have not changed for the 2022 Spring Term. Individuals may either voluntarily disclose vaccination status or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days of entering campus. Effective Monday, February 14, USAHS will include boosters as part of its Entry Protocols.

To protect the University’s learning environment and mitigate teaching disruptions, our campus entry requirements provide the following options:

• All USAHS students, faculty (including lab assistants and contributing faculty), and staff will be asked to voluntarily disclose and agree to provide documentation that they have been fully vaccinated* for COVID-19.

• Those who are not fully vaccinated* or do not wish to disclose their vaccination status will be required to submit proof of a valid negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days prior to each campus entry.

• Vendors and campus visitors will be required to comply with the same campus entry requirements, adhering to one of the two options. Visitors are limited to those on official University business or who support the USAHS academic purpose. 

*Definition: Currently in effect, you are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving a second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the one-time Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Effective Monday, February 14, you will be considered fully vaccinated if you have received:

• A Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson vaccine dose within the last five months. The five-month timing starts from the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and the single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
• A booster shot, if eligible. In other words, if your vaccination of the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson and Johnson exceeds five months as defined in the prior point, you will need to have the booster to maintain vaccination status.

The Daily Health Screening form will be updated by February 14 to reflect these changes and allow you to upload your confidential vaccine booster confirmation.

References:

• • Reentry Protocols FAQs

4. ADDITIONAL REMINDERS AND RESOURCES

To safeguard the health and safety of the campus community, enhanced cleaning procedures continue to follow best practice. All classrooms/labs are equipped with disinfectants, paper towels and wipes for additional cleaning during class.

Please be sure to wash your hands with soap often and for at least 20 seconds, and sanitize hands with an alcohol-based sanitizer when wash areas are not available. Hand sanitizer is provided throughout campus.

We will continue to carefully monitor changes in pandemic conditions, hospitalization rates, guidance from the CDC and best practices from higher education institutions. As has been our practice, we will revise our protocol throughout the term based on your needs and as new guidance becomes available to maintain a safe campus environment.

• COVID-19 Reentry Handout
• University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences COVID-19 Safety Training

Thank you for collaboratively working together as healthcare practitioners and professionals who support the University mission to ensure a safe environment for the entire USAHS community. We are committed to maintaining a thriving campus experience that effectively prepares students and advances them on time toward graduation.

As we prepare for the 2022 Spring Term, it is important to reinforce the University’s COVID-19 safety and health protocols. We are strongly encouraging the COVID-19 vaccine, including boosters, for all University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) students to keep our communities safe and to ensure progression in your programs. Furthermore, a significant majority of our clinical sites are requiring students and others to be fully vaccinated, and many may soon be mandating booster shots, as well, to meet this requirement.

Our hope is to continue to minimize the risk of potential outbreaks that may limit our ability to continue in-person learning and planned activities during the 2022 Spring Term. We will start the term, as planned, and continue to monitor COVID-19 numbers in our communities.

Community and Clinical Experiences at Risk
With the upsurge of COVID-19 cases, it has never been more important, if you have not already, to get vaccinated at your earliest opportunity.

Clinical placements and experiences are at risk for those students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• State and/or federal regulations continue to change and may require that you be fully vaccinated to complete your clinical experience in certain settings.
• At this time, while some announced regulations around mandatory vaccination are not yet fully enforceable, many of our health care partners are still choosing to require that students be fully vaccinated prior to the start date of their clinical experiences.
  • This may include a requirement for COVID-19 booster shots, as well, to meet the fully vaccinated requirement.
  • In addition, California is now requiring all health care workers to be vaccinated, which affects those doing a clinical or wanting placement in that state.
• Some sites are providing USAHS with very little notice of their vaccination requirements. This relative lack of notice places unvaccinated students at risk of a significant delay or cancellation of their clinical placement, potentially delaying their graduation date or ability to complete the program requirements. If the clinical facility institutes a mandatory vaccination policy while the student is in a clinical experience, the student could be required to leave that site until fully vaccinated. A replacement site may not be possible due to these requirements.
• We also are hearing a similar message from many of our health care partners that hire our students in that failure to vaccinate could impact employment opportunities upon graduation. Unvaccinated students can also face travel limitations for extended quarantine that are not required for those who are fully vaccinated, which could also impact the ability to participate in academic activities, including field experiences.
• Numerous partners that host students for activities connected to their academic program, such as observations and demonstrations, are now requiring vaccines for participants. Failing to vaccinate could result in a loss of opportunities to participate in such required program activities and experiences, and thus could result in delays in completing your program.

Failure to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 could result in a significant delay or cancellation of your clinical placement, jeopardize program completion and/or impact employment opportunities upon graduation.

We are eager to see an active, dynamic campus experience. To have the USAHS experience we all want for the Spring Term, we truly need everyone’s commitment to stop COVID-19 and to do our part to end this pandemic. Thank you for your continued support and fortitude.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit www.usa.edu/return-to-campus, including the Quick Reference Guide to COVID-19 Links.