Morningside University: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

• Morningside University has resumed normal operations and does not have a campuswide mask requirement.
• While a campuswide mask mandate is not in place, masks may be required in certain office and classroom settings. Therefore, you are asked to carry a mask with you when possible and respect such requests.
• If you wish to use a mask, you are encouraged to use a personal mask you brought to campus.
• Unvaccinated students and/or students experiencing allergies are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in public settings per CDC guidance. 

VACCINATED STUDENTS

• If you haven’t already, please consider presenting your completed COVID-19 vaccination card at a verification event in Olsen or via email on or before Nov. 1 to receive a $50 Morningside University Bookstore gift card and vaccination swag.
• Please consider keeping your vaccination card in a safe and secure location where you can easily access it. You are also strongly encouraged to keep photos of the front and back in the event it is damaged or lost. More rules and regulations are requiring vaccinated individuals to provide a vaccination card. Having it readily available will save you time and stress.

UNVACCINATED STUDENTS

• Due to the increasing number of cases on-campus and in our area, we strongly encourage unvaccinated individuals to consider the health and safety of the community and wear a mask when closely interacting with others.
• More rules and regulations are being developed for work, travel, and more that require proof of vaccination. Among other rules, it is anticipated that the new Department of Labor law could require a weekly negative COVID-19 test for Morningside employees and students. Full guidance is not yet available. No action is required at this time, though you are encouraged to get your vaccine and watch your email for details.
• For these reasons and the continued health and safety of the Morningside University community, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of one of our on-campus vaccination clinics or visit Drilling Pharmacy located near campus to receive your vaccine.
• Should you complete a vaccine series on or before Nov. 1, you can present your completed vaccination card at a verification event in Olsen or via email to receive a $50 Morningside University Bookstore gift card and vaccination swag.

If you are symptomatic and/or feeling unwell, stay home and do not report to classes, practices, or events, regardless of your vaccination status.

When to stay home, regardless of your vaccination status:

• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and
  • It is within 10 days of symptoms first appearing and/or 10 days after a positive test.
  • It has been 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and/or
  • Other symptoms of COVID-19 have improved.
• When you are symptomatic.
• When you are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
• When you are advised to do so by your medical provider.

When you should report to classes, practices, or other events, regardless of your vaccination status:

• If you are feeling healthy and well.
• If you have been or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, but you are NOT symptomatic.
• If you have received a negative COVID-19 test result and/or are not symptomatic and feeling well.

Actions you should take if you are ill/symptomatic and need to stay home, regardless of your vaccination status:

• Contact Campus Nurse Judi Neswick to let her know you are ill so we can track student illnesses for the health and safety of the campus community.
• Contact professors, coaches, on- and/or off-campus employers, and other individuals who will need to know you are ill.
• Consider visiting the Student Health Center or your medical provider. Student Health has COVID-19 tests available for students who may be experiencing symptoms of the virus.
• Student Health will work with students who test positive for COVID-19 to determine next steps for the 10-day isolation period.
• Student Health will provide courtesy calls to students who may have been in contact with a student who tests positive for COVID-19.

Actions you should take if you have been exposed to or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of your vaccination status:

• You will not be asked to quarantine unless you become symptomatic and/or choose to take a COVID-19 test.
• If you have had contact with someone with COVID-19, you will be asked to monitor your symptoms and follow guidance if you develop symptoms and/or choose to take a COVID-19 test.

All students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive a free flu shot in Student Health. They are available weekdays from 9-10 a.m. through Nov. 1, or by appointment through Nov. 1. 

Morningside does not currently have a campus-wide mask mandate; however, mask use is strongly encouraged if you are unvaccinated and/or have allergy symptoms.

• Certain classrooms and office spaces may have a mask requirement. You are expected to follow these requirements for the health and safety of the campus community. Please consider carrying a mask with you to adhere to such requests.
• Employees/departments who need a supply of disposable masks may request them through JIRA.
• Unvaccinated employees are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in public settings per CDC guidance. 

If you are symptomatic and/or feeling unwell, you should stay home and not report to work regardless of vaccination status.

When to stay home, regardless of your vaccination status:

• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and
  • It is within 10 days of symptoms first appearing and/or 10 days after a positive test.
  • It has been 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and/or
  • Other symptoms of COVID-19 have improved.
• When you are symptomatic.
• When you are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
• When you are advised to do so by your medical provider.

When you should report to work, regardless of your vaccination status:

• If you are feeling healthy and well.
• If you have been or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, but you are NOT symptomatic.
• If you have received a negative COVID-19 test result and/or are not symptomatic and feeling well.
  
  

Actions you should take if you are ill/symptomatic and need to stay home, regardless of vaccination status:

• Contact your health care provider to seek medical treatment if needed.
• Contact Judi Neswick in Student Health if you need to take a COVID-19 test and are not able to get one elsewhere.
• Contact your supervisor AND Human Resources if you are ill and/or if you receive a COVID-19 test so Morningside can monitor employee illness for the health and safety of the campus community.
• While you are encouraged to provide a courtesy call to individuals with whom you have had contact if you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, it is important to know that employees do not need to quarantine following exposure to COVID-19 unless they are symptomatic and/or are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
• If you have received a COVID-19 diagnosis, it is imperative that you contact Human Resources to get the most updated information on leave options, policies, and resources available to you as an employee.

Actions you should take if you have been exposed to or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status:

• You will not be asked to quarantine unless you become symptomatic and/or choose to take a COVID-19 test.
• If you have had contact with someone with COVID-19, you will be asked to monitor your symptoms and follow guidance if you develop symptoms and/or choose to take a COVID-19 test.

Vaccinated employees

• Per President Biden’s announcement regarding the anticipated new Department of Labor rule that all employers with 100 or more employees must ensure their employees are fully vaccinated, Morningside is awaiting additional information regarding when and how this law will take effect here at the University. Details will be shared via email when they become available. No action is required at this time.
• If you haven’t already, please consider presenting your completed COVID-19 vaccination card at a verification event in Olsen or via email on or before Nov. 1 to receive a $50 Morningside University Bookstore gift card and vaccination swag.

Unvaccinated employees

• Per President Biden’s announcement regarding an anticipated new Department of Labor rule that all employers with 100 or more employees must ensure their employees are fully vaccinated, Morningside University strongly encourages all employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as we expect this rule will apply to Morningside. We will share further information via email as it becomes available. The Pfizer vaccination will be offered on-campus this fall, and the Pfizer vaccine is also available at Drilling Pharmacy. You will receive paid time off to receive the vaccine.
• Should you choose to remain unvaccinated regardless of reason, it is anticipated that the new Department of Labor law may require a weekly negative COVID-19 test. Full guidance is not yet available. No action is required at this time, though you are encouraged to get your vaccine and watch your email for details.
• Should you complete a vaccine series on or before Nov. 1, you can present your completed vaccination card at a verification event in Olsen or via email to receive a $50 Morningside University Bookstore gift card and vaccination swag.
• Due to the increasing number of cases on-campus and in our area, we strongly encourage unvaccinated individuals to consider the health and safety of the community and wear a mask when closely interacting with others.

All students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive a free flu shot in Student Health. They are available weekdays from 9-10 a.m. through Nov. 1, or by appointment through Nov. 1.