NEST expectations (masks and testing) for Winter semester 2022

December 16, 2021

Dear University community,

I would like to express my appreciation for your care and concern for others, and for your determined efforts to make this semester the best it could be. I know many of us look forward to spending the holidays with family and friends, and to enjoying a well-deserved break.

As we did last year, we have prioritized the health and safety of our campus community, and we are being effective, despite very challenging circumstances and overall pandemic fatigue. Cases among our SVSU community remain low, relative to the community at large. The policies and procedures we have in place – and the adherence to them – have allowed us to complete the semester with the classroom instruction and campus activities so many of us treasure and that are so important to learning and college life.

We will continue our current protocols into the winter semester and until further notice. Our contact tracing continues to show that we have seen zero cases of transmission in a classroom or laboratory setting.

Masks

Masks are required to be worn indoors with the following exceptions:

• Fully vaccinated individuals may gather without masks in enclosed spaces, such as an office or conference room, in groups of up to 5 fully vaccinated people.
• Fully vaccinated individuals may remove their masks in common areas when they are alone, at least 6 feet from others, including when actively eating or drinking.

Vaccination

The data continues to show that the vaccines are safe and effective, and we highly encourage everyone to speak with their medical provider about vaccination and booster shots.

Vaccination rates within our campus community are much higher than our state a whole. We have verified full vaccination for at least:

• 90% of faculty and staff
• 68% of students

Testing

When we return for the winter semester, all students, faculty and staff who are unvaccinated are expected to be tested for COVID-19. Information for on-campus testing in January is posted online on our NEST page. Individuals also may submit results of a test from a pharmacy or health care provider.

In addition, we will continue to expect unvaccinated students, faculty and staff to be tested for COVID-19 every other week through at least spring break.

Take care of yourself and each other

Again, my thanks to everyone for the care and concern you have shown for one another. We are in this together and we are working through this together. I wish you and your families a joyous holiday season.

Sincerely,

Donald J. Bachand, President