Faculty & Staff FAQs

FAQs for Shenandoah University Employees – COVID-19

For questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine, please see our Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions.

Below are frequently asked questions by Shenandoah University employees related to COVID-19. If you have a question that you would like to see added, please contact Lisa Darsch, director of employee wellness and healthcare navigation, at ldarsch@su.edu or Human Resources (HR).

What do I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

Shenandoah faculty and staff who have received a COVID-19 positive test result, regardless of vaccination status, should let their supervisor and HR know.

The CDC’s COVID-19 quarantine and isolation calculator is available online at cdc.gov. If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with the virus, follow the on-screen instructions within the calculator to determine how long you should quarantine or isolate, when you should get tested, how long you should wear a mask, and other important safety precautions you should follow.

According to CDC guidance, all positive individuals — regardless of vaccination status — should:

Stay home for 5 days.
If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

Do we still need to use the Shenandoah Go app?

The university has eliminated the requirement that students and employees report signs or symptoms of COVID-19 — or an exposure to a person with COVID-19 or positive COVID-19 test — via the Shenandoah Go app or otherwise.

How do I know if I’ve been “exposed” to a person with COVID-19?

The CDC still defines close contact as being within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 exposures can be found at cdc.gov.

Is special COVID-19 medical leave available?

As of May 1, 2022, we will no longer utilize special covid leave. Please work with your supervisor on how to proceed. If you have any questions, please reach out to HR@su.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions for Faculty

Below are frequently asked questions by faculty at Shenandoah University.

If a student shares that they have tested positive for COVID-19, may I tell the rest of the class?

No. You may remind students in the class to monitor their health for any symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 and go to the Wilkins Wellness Center if they don’t feel well.

What if a student asks to Zoom into class, which is held face to face (coded as f2f)?

It’s up to faculty members to set an attendance policy for their classes. Faculty should determine what is the best way for students to still participate in class when absent for an extended period of time due to COVID-19 or any other medical reasons (when notified by the Office of the Dean of Students).

Will students fill out a daily symptom checker and show green cards in the Shenandoah Go app?

No, the university has eliminated the requirement that students and employees report signs or symptoms of COVID-19 — or an exposure to a person with COVID-19 or positive COVID-19 test — via the Shenandoah Go app or otherwise.

How does the university plan to address the possible risks associated with virus spread among asymptomatic vaccinated individuals?

The Executive Committee to Reopen Shenandoah University will continue to monitor any positive cases both on campus and locally to determine if additional protocols need to be implemented to prevent the spread of the virus.