Health & Safety Protocols

We all have a responsibility to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The simple actions you take each day help protect yourself and care for the RWU community.

Last Updated: 8/3/2022

Our Individual Responsibilities

Get Vaccinated and Boosted

Every student not previously granted a medical or religious exemption is required to complete a primary series of Covid-19 vaccination and to provide documentation through the Health Services portal (students) or to Human Resources (employees). The first and second boosters are highly recommended upon eligibility, especially considering the continuing evolution of variants and sub-variants and diminishing natural immunity periods between infections. The University reserves the right to require additional boosters as determined necessary with advanced notice. No unvaccinated student may move into university housing, attend classes, participate in University programs, events and or activities, or begin employment without an approved medical or religious exemption from RWU.  

Returning students and employees previously approved for medical or religious exemptions will remain exempt. Requests for a vaccine booster exemption will be considered only for newly enrolled students, newly hired employees, or for current students or employees not previously granted an exemption, but who now may meet exemption criteria based on previously unavailable facts and circumstances. 

There are many opportunities to get the next vaccination dose if you are eligible or to begin the full vaccination series. Call your primary physician’s office or search for clinics or pharmacies near your residence. For those unable to schedule a vaccine shot over break or are not yet eligible to receive one, RWU will offer booster clinics on campus early in the spring semester. 

Masking

As we enter the fall semester, RWU is recommending but not requiring masks in indoor settings, with the following exceptions: 

• On all shared university transportation. 
• Individual faculty can require masking in their classrooms or labs with advanced notice. 
• Inside Health Services and the Counseling Center. 
• When required to participate in activities, training, or employment with prior approval from designated university officials. 

Mask wearing (high quality N95 or KN95) in indoor settings is considered an effective and recommended practice by the Centers for Disease Control and the American College Health Association and has been proven effective at RWU. The University reserves the right to require mask wearing in any indoor setting when deemed necessary, and we support any individual who chooses to wear a mask to protect themselves or others.   

As a reminder, gaiters and bandanas are not acceptable forms of masks. 

The University will not be providing supplies of clinical masks in academic buildings this semester. Therefore, it is the responsibility of students and employees to have masks with them at all times on campus in order to enter campus facilities. 

Wash Hands Frequently 

Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds frequently, as well as whenever you've touched a commonly used surface. This prevents the spread of germs on surfaces and mitigates exposure to viruses. In every RWU restroom, air hand dryers have been disabled, and paper towel dispensers have been installed, to help contain the spread of the virus.

Stay Home If You Have Covid-like Symptoms

If you are experiencing any Covid-like symptoms, stay home. That also means you should not come to campus for your regular testing appointments. For any flu-like symptoms, students should call Health Services, and faculty and staff should call their primary care physicians.
 

Reduce Environmental Impact

We need everyone’s help to reduce the environmental impact from COVID safety measures. We can adapt to these temporary necessities – takeout meals and increased package delivery – with a spirit of sustainability, and by taking the following actions:

• RWU – Recycle With Us, using the color–coded recycling bins placed around campus, residence halls and offices.
• Open your packages and leave the packing materials and boxes in the mailroom to be recycled.
• Break down boxes before placing them in the dumpster. Use the space efficiently, compacting to fit as much as you can inside the dumpster.
• Do not place recyclables inside plastic bags – the presence of plastic bags will send the entire dumpster load to the landfill instead.

#MakeSmartChoices

Our community has proven its care and support for one another through the most challenging years of the pandemic. We will continue to act together with the same mindful approach and respect for the health and safety of each other, our families at home and our local communities. Keep making smart choices and following the University guidance and together we will make this a fantastic year. 

Continue to make smart choices in the weeks leading up to move-in or return to work. There is some uncertainty about what to expect from the virus and variants in the months ahead, but we will be guided in our operations and safety measures by what is happening around us and what our testing data tells us.

We can make this another great year, with all the opportunities for learning and a vibrant campus life that we have planned. We’re so excited to have you all back for a terrific academic year. Continue to check your email regularly for updates and we will soon fully update the Covid Protocols website, where you can visit throughout the year for information on our campus safety protocols. If you have any questions, please contact us through covid19@rwu.edu.