Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

The recent release of new CDC guidelines and the increase in community spread of the Delta variant at national and regional levels has required us to make modifications to our campus guidelines.

I have added important new information below; please scroll down for the complete guidelines. As we have always done, we will follow the National Centers for Disease Control Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education and the CDC Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People as well as local and state health authorities and experts.

Students and their families with questions or concerns should contact Student Life ([email protected]), and employees should contact Human Resources ([email protected]). 

IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION

• INDOOR MASK MANDATE: Masks must be worn by all persons on campus indoors regardless of vaccination status until further notice, effective immediately. Anytime you enter a building on campus, a mask will be required. For residence halls, when you leave your room, you should put on your mask. For employees, you may remove your mask if you are working in your own office or separate space.
• VACCINATION: The current scientific consensus is that widespread vaccination is the best way to curb potential outbreaks of COVID-19, and in accordance with guidelines from the CDC and the state of North Carolina, we continue to strongly encourage all community members to get vaccinated. As we have stated previously, all students are required to get the vaccination before the start of school or to have received a waiver. We are currently reviewing our policies and procedures for students and employees who are not vaccinated and will be issuing more guidance over the coming weeks after we have had time to study and consult on this matter.

Warren Wilson College COVID-19 guidelines and policies adhere to the following specific Public Health Advice of the National Centers for Disease Control. Specifically:

GUIDELINES AND POLICIES IN TERMS OF VACCINATIONS

• Warren Wilson College is requiring proof of vaccination for students before arrival on campus in the fall. Students must provide proof of vaccination before arrival on campus using the Vaccination Verification and Waiver form. Students who have not  provided proof of vaccination or received a waiver will not be allowed on campus. A fully vaccinated person is two weeks out from the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or other two dose vaccines, or from the first (only) dose of Johnson & Johnson or other one dose vaccines.
• Students should use the last page of the Vaccination Verification and Waiver form to apply for a vaccination waiver for health or religious reasons. Students who have received a vaccination waiver for health or religious reasons will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID PCR test conducted at least 48 hours before arrival on campus.
• Students must have uploaded their vaccination affirmation or have been approved for an exception for medical or religious reasons by the time of check-in. It is good practice to carry your vaccine card with you if vaccinated.
• Employees are not required to be vaccinated at this time but are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. We are currently reviewing our policies and procedures regarding unvaccinated students and employees and will be closely monitoring guidance from regional and national health authorities to determine how best to maintain a safe environment on campus for all community members.

GUIDELINES AND POLICIES IN REGARDS TO CAMPUS INTERACTIONS

• Warren Wilson College will have an indoor mask requirement for all persons on campus, regardless of vaccination status, effective immediately.
• Warren Wilson College will not require masks of anyone while outdoors.
• Physical distancing at a distance of three feet indoors is highly encouraged in all settings. This is consistent with the  CDC guidelines for schools. 
• Any large group gathering (defined currently as 30 or more people) requires advance approval from the appropriate cabinet member.
• We will allow visitors on campus individually and in small groups. All visitors must adhere to our indoor mask mandate. Family members of employees may be on campus without restriction as allowed pre-pandemic but must also adhere to these guidelines.

GUIDELINES AND POLICIES IN TERMS OF TESTING

• In keeping with CDC guidelines, the College will not test vaccinated students who are asymptomatic but have had possible exposure to COVID-19.
• We will test vaccinated and unvaccinated students who have COVID-like symptoms.
• We will conduct testing for non-vaccinated students who have had documented exposure to COVID-19 through contact tracing even if asymptomatic.
• At this time, we do not plan to conduct routine screening or campus-wide surveillance testing. (Student-athletes are subject to NCAA guidelines, which are currently evolving. At this point in time, unvaccinated student-athletes will undergo surveillance testing and testing prior to competition).
• Symptomatic employees regardless of vaccination status should be tested and should quarantine at home as indicated in last year’s protocols. All test results should be reported to Human Resources for documentation purposes.
• Vaccinated asymptomatic employees who have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for COVID needs to be tested within 3 -5 days of exposure and wear a mask at all times until receiving a negative test.  You do not have to quarantine unless you receive a positive COVID test. All test results should be reported to Human Resources for documentation purposes.
• We will maintain limited off campus quarantine and isolation space for residential students who (1) are symptomatic and/or test positive for COVID-19; (2) are unvaccinated but have had documented exposure to COVID-19 through contact tracing.

OTHER GUIDELINES AND POLICIES

• In accordance with CDC guidelines, the College will continue to provide hand sanitizer stations on campus and use enhanced cleaning protocols in residence halls and classrooms/offices. This practice also helps prevent colds and regular flu.

These guidelines are subject to change if national or state guidance changes.

We share a common dedication to social responsibility at the College, and last year, our campus community showed that we can keep each other healthy and safe through personal discipline, accountability, and thoughtful policies. We will continue to adapt to changing circumstances, and I am confident that we will navigate this upcoming academic year successfully.

In Community,

President Lynn Morton