Answers to questions as you return to campus, August 10, 2021
As we start a new academic year, we hope everyone remains healthy. Below are answers to some questions you may have about masks, vaccine requirements and other COVID-19 mitigation efforts as you return to campus.
Masking requirement
- MSUM currently does not have a campus masking requirement. However, areas identified as healthcare settings require masks per CDC guidelines. These include Counseling Services, Accessibility Resources, Athletic Training and the Speech Language Hearing Clinic. Athletics will continue to follow the NCAA Sports Science Institute and the NSIC guidelines and recommendations for masking, testing and other COVID mitigation practices pertaining to athletes.
- Per guidance from the Minnesota State System Office, MSUM will implement a mask requirement if Clay County is at a Substantial or High transmission level
- MSUM will monitor the level of Clay County COVID-19 transmissions daily.
- Currently, Clay County is in the Moderate category.
- If the daily report indicates we are at a Substantial or High transmission level, we will implement a mask requirement effective the following Monday.
- The masking requirement is for indoor public settings
. - The masking requirement will remain in effect until Clay County is in the Low or Moderate transmission level for 14 consecutive days.
- Wear a mask if that makes you comfortable. Please support your fellow Dragons who feel most comfortable wearing masks.
Vaccines
MSUM is not requiring a COVID-19 vaccination to return to campus. We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated to stop the spread of COVID-19. Research shows the vaccines are safe and effective and are a path to ending the pandemic.
MSUM is participating in the White House and the U.S. Department of Education’s COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge. MSUM and Clay County Public Health will host COVID-19 drop-in vaccine clinics open to students, employees and their families, and the public. Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines will be available. No pre-registration or appointments are needed.
- Thursday, August 12 | 3-7 p.m. | Outside Dahl Hall
- Saturday, August 21 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Outside Residence Halls
Tell us You’re Vaccinated for a chance to win a parking pass or $100 in Dragon Dollars or Bookstore credit.
Report COVID-19 Positive Test, Symptoms or Close Contact
For campus leadership to make decisions necessary to keep our students, faculty and staff as safe as possible, we ask that employees and students complete the Employee COVID-19 Report Form or the Student COVID-19 Report Form as soon as possible if you:
- have tested positive for COVID-19,
- have come into close contact with someone who tested positive, or
- are experiencing symptoms.
Distancing/Capacity Requirements There are no distancing or capacity requirements on campus. However, we encourage distancing or extra spacing between people when practicable.
International Travel
- The international student travel ban remains in place. The System Office will reevaluate and communicate an update on the potential loosening of the travel ban no later than October 15, 2021. Colleges and universities can continue planning for study abroad trips in the spring of 2022 while attending to key planning, cancellation, and refund deadlines.
- Campus presidents can approve international employee travel to countries under a level 1 or level 2 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State.
– Travel to level 3 or level 4 countries will continue to require prior approval from the system office (System Procedure 3.41.1)
– Requests for employee travel to level 3 or level 4 countries should be submitted to Eric Davis, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources (eric.davis@minnstate.edu), along with a presidential endorsement of the request.
We are committed to protecting the health of our community and to adjusting as new information becomes available. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our campus safe!