For the Fall 2022 semester, Shenandoah University will continue to provide the educational environment and activities that are centerpieces of the Shenandoah experience. Intercollegiate and intramural sports, Shenandoah Conservatory performances and other performing arts, clubs, organizations, and all other parts of the student experience at SU have returned to normal operations without restrictions.
The university continues to monitor recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health in managing COVID-19. The university therefore strongly recommends that all students, faculty and staff get vaccinated against COVID-19 to facilitate safe and successful operations.
The university is also prepared to respond appropriately to a significant return of the virus on campus, and has therefore reconstituted its Executive Committee to Reopen Shenandoah University (now referred to as Shenandoah University’s COVID-19 Task Force) and directed it to meet as necessary, and to provide the university’s senior administration with any new recommendations with respect to the management of COVID-19 that the committee deems appropriate.
Fall 2022 Academic Calendar and Course Delivery Plan
Academic Calendar
The 2022-23 academic calendars can be found on the university’s website.
Course Delivery
The Fall 2022 course delivery model includes mostly in-person instruction with a small number of hybrid and online undergraduate options available to students. Graduate programs continue in their traditional delivery modes of either online, hybrid or in-person. Advisers, working closely with students, will play a significant role in balancing the chedules of Shenandoah’s learners.
Plan for Community Mitigation Strategies
Ongoing Communications
Periodic communications from the President’s Office, the Office of Marketing and Communications, the Wilkins Wellness Center, and public health officers/coordinators will continue to keep the Shenandoah University community informed as deemed necessary. Communications will take the form of peer-to-peer messaging, videos, social media, print collateral, signage, and regular online/email updates to the community.
Vaccinations
Widespread vaccinations within our university community have allowed Shenandoah to return to in-person academic instruction during the pandemic without the strict limitations on spacing and capacity required in the past. Shenandoah continues to strongly encourage vaccinations for students, faculty and staff for the Fall 2022 semester.
Face Coverings
Shenandoah no longer requires masks, but all are encouraged to practice personal responsibility and protect themselves and others by following the CDC masking recommendations based on community transmission levels. Those who are more comfortable wearing masks are encouraged to do so.
COVID-19 Testing and Other Risk Mitigation Measures
- Pre-arrival COVID-19 testing for students is not required prior to the start of the Fall 2022 semester, but it is encouraged. Students do not need to report results.
- No surveillance testing is planned.
- Testing will also be offered to students in the Wilkins Wellness Center.
- Shenandoah has limited isolation housing, and may not move COVID-19 positive students from their rooms. Therefore, it is critical that all residential students work with their families and their roommate(s) to develop a plan in advance should they or their roommate become infected with COVID-19.
- Employees should follow the advice of their primary health care provider when ill.
Visitors
- Visitors are welcome at all SU locations without restriction.
Environmental Cleaning
- The university will follow CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection.
Isolation
- Students, faculty and staff are advised to follow the recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health in managing COVID-19.
- COVID-positive students are encouraged to isolate at home. Residential students are not guaranteed isolation space on the main campus, and students will not be mandated to move. Students may return to their residential room if they are unable to go home and should follow CDC isolation
University Travel Policy
Faculty, staff and students at Shenandoah are permitted to travel for athletic, academic and business purposes and must follow guidelines posted by the Centers for Disease Control found below. Participants in study abroad programs or programs that involve significant domestic travel must provide proof of vaccination.
- CDC guidelines for domestic travel during COVID-19.
- CDC guidelines for international travel during COVID-19.
Plan to Manage Campus Outbreak
- The decision to move to hybrid or online classes, or to close residence halls, will be made based on factors as determined by the president after consultation with the COVID-19 Task Force.
- In the event of a campus dismissal and/or shutdown, this decision and all subsequent necessary steps will be communicated to faculty, staff and students by the Shenandoah University president.
Residential and Extracurricular Activities
While we have moved back to pre-pandemic operations and eased restrictions, we still encourage students to be vigilant in monitoring their personal health moving forward.
Residential Spaces
The safety of students living in main campus residence halls is of vital importance. Modifying previous norms and promoting behaviors that reduce the spread of the virus – such as masking when you are symptomatic, washing hands frequently, and not eating or drinking after others – are critical to the health and safety of our residential population.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities provide developmental opportunities for students outside of the classroom. Shenandoah knows these experiences are important to student growth and has returned to pre-pandemic operations and practices in all areas.
Encouraging Student Compliance
All students are expected to follow Shenandoah’s expectations for pandemic prevention detailed in university communications and/or policies.
Disclaimer
The COVID-19 plan for the Fall 2022 semester is subject to change at any time should the situation require updates or adjustments.