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Fall Semester COVID-19 Protocols

Please review these important updates to our campus COVID-19 protocols for fall semester 2022. The following protocols may be amended to adapt to current guidance as needed. Vaccinations and Boosters All students, faculty, and staff are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus before returning for the 2022-23 academic year. To satisfy the requirement individuals need two shots of an mRNA series (Moderna or Pfizer) or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine:

  • COVID vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) have full FDA authorization and have been proven to be safe and effective.
  • Vaccine requirements achieve high immunization coverage and protect communities from infection rates and the severity of the disease. The St. Thomas community vaccination rate is more than 90%.
  • Religious and medical exemptions are permitted.

We strongly encourage students to be up-to-date with boosters. Boosted students who test positive for COVID-19 are less likely to have severe symptoms, and, importantly, boosted students who are exposed will not be required to quarantine. More information on boosters and their efficacy from the Center for Disease Control. Students can get vaccinated on campus at the Center for Well‑Being. Please schedule an appointment by phone at (651) 962‑6750 or online via myHealthPortal. Testing The Center for Well-Being will still provide regular COVID-19 testing. Beginning in Fall 2022, however, your health insurance company will be billed for testing. Reporting All students, faculty and staff are still expected to use the self-report form to notify the Center for Well-Being if they test positive. What to Bring to Campus We have some recommendations of what to pack as you return to campus this fall. These are items that will be helpful to have on hand if you are exposed to COVID-19 or become ill.

  • Four COVID-19 tests
  • A small food supply in case you need to stay in your room to quarantine or isolate
  • Ibuprofen or other fever-reducing medication
  • Decongestant medication
  • A thermometer

Contact Tracing Staff in the Center Well-Being will contact any students who report they tested positive and offer guidance, support, and instructions related to isolation. The Center for Well-Being will also contact roommates of a student who tests positive:

  • Roommates will be asked to test for COVID-19.
  • If a roommate tests negative and is fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and up-to-date with boosters, they will not be required to quarantine.
  • If a roommate tests positive, they will be required to follow isolation protocols.

Isolation Options for Resident Students

  1. Isolate Off-Campus. A student may return home or to another off-campus location to complete their isolation requirements.
  1. Isolate in Place. A student may request to isolate in their residence hall room if they do not share a bedroom with another student.
  1. If a student shares a bedroom and their roommate also tests positive, both students can stay in the same room if they are not able to return home.
  1. If a student shares a bedroom and tests positive and their roommate does not test positive, the COVID-positive student is required to follow isolation protocols. Students who do not have an off-campus isolation housing option may request an on-campus/near-campus isolation bed.

Quarantine Options Resident students who have been exposed to COVID-19 and are not fully vaccinated and up-to-date on boosters will be required to quarantine in one of the following ways:

  1. Off-Campus. A student may return home or to another off-campus location to complete their quarantine requirements.
  1. Quarantine in Place. A student may request to quarantine in their residence hall room if they are not able to temporarily move to a different location. The staff in the Center for Well-Being will evaluate the request.

Off-Campus Students Students who test positive and live off campus will receive guidance from staff in the Center for Well-Being on isolation protocols. Domestic and International Travelers The University of St. Thomas strongly recommends that all travelers -- domestic or international -- be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and up-to-date on boosters. It is the obligation of the traveler to know of, and comply with, vaccination requirements of the location(s) where they will travel, including the entry and return requirements of each country or other applicable governing body, and the specific requirements of the host site. If you have non-medical questions, please contact the COVID-19 information line at covidinfo@stthomas.edu or (651) 962‑6133. We look forward to welcoming you to campus this fall!