Vaccination Policy

While all students and employees are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated, there is no vaccination requirement at this time. It is important to note that based upon CDC guidance, there are a number of significant benefits of being vaccinated, including that fully vaccinated people can:

• resume activities without wearing masks or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
• refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings.
• refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic.

Masks

View current Mask Policy>>

Vaccination Status

Individuals will not be required to provide proof of vaccination in order to not wear masks or participate in routine campus activities. We expect all members of our campus community to practice personal integrity. This includes being honest about one’s own vaccination status and respecting the privacy of others’ health information.

There may be outside opportunities which require participants to be vaccinated. Examples include NCAA sanctioned activities and clinical education experiences. Students, faculty and staff who participate in these activities may be required to show proof of vaccination.

Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms

If symptoms of COVID-19 are experienced (without a separate known cause, e.g., asthma, allergies, etc.), the individual should not come to campus or leave the residence hall. Faculty should contact their department chairs; staff should contact their supervisors; and students should contact their faculty members.

Testing

The University will not conduct entry testing of returning students, faculty and staff. The Student Health Center will continue to provide testing for students only. Faculty and staff members should contact their health care provider for any testing needs.

Contact Tracing

The University will work with the Adair County Health Department to conduct contact tracing for Truman students who test positive for COVID-19. Public health privacy requirements will be followed.

Isolation and Quarantine

[Updated 1-5-22] In accordance with updated CDC guidelines, the University is changing the time for isolation and quarantine to a minimum of five days. Students will be provided with a KN95 mask to wear after release from isolation and quarantine.

Isolation: Everyone who has presumed or confirmed COVID-19 should stay home and isolate from other people for at least five full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms or the date of the day of the positive viral test for asymptomatic persons). They should wear a well-fitting mask when around others for an additional five days. People who are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 need to isolate regardless of their vaccination status.

Quarantine: Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, including boosters, who come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 must quarantine for five days and wear a well-fitting mask for an additional five days to minimize the risk of infecting others. Individuals who have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters, are not required to quarantine. They should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of their last close contact with someone with COVID-19.

Close contact is defined as:

• Being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
• Living, sleeping, eating, or sharing household spaces (like bathrooms)
• Providing care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
• Being in direct physical contact with someone who has COVID-19 (i.e. hugging or kissing them)
• Sharing eating or drinking utensils with someone who has COVID-19
• Being exposed to respiratory droplets from someone who has COVID-19 (i.e. they sneezed or coughed on you)

Students who are in quarantine or isolation should notify their instructors and report their case to the Student Health Center at (660) 785-4182 or studenthealth@cfmcares.com.

Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 or been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 must report this information to their supervisor and to Human Resources. Employees may be eligible to use Emergency Sick Leave (up to 10 days) due to testing positive for COVID-19, seeking a test result due to symptoms, quarantine and isolation periods, or to receive or recover from the vaccination. To apply for this leave, employees must contact Human Resources.

Coordination of Communication

To ensure continued communication between the University and local public health entities, Melissa Garzanelli, Director of Human Resources, has been designated as the primary contact person.

Health and Wellness Updates

The most recent and up-to-date information will always be posted on the website at www.truman.edu/coronavirus/.

Academic Calendar

The Fall 2021 semester will start Aug. 23. There are currently no plans for an altered schedule.
View 2021-2022 Academic Calendar>

Course Modality Options

With rooms returning to typical capacity, faculty will not be required to maintain social distance guidelines that might have prevented all students from attending at the same time. Faculty can utilize the modality that provides the best educational experience for students. For consistency, online classes will remain unchanged for the duration of the semester.

Absences Due to Quarantine or Isolation

Students who become ill or who need to quarantine or self-isolate should contact their instructor as soon as possible to inform them of the situation and explore possible contingency plans. Administrators and faculty will develop instructional continuity plans to manage the potential for instructor absences.

First-Year Students

Residence Halls will be open for check-in for first-year students on Wednesday, Aug. 18. Check-in windows will be spread out between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. New incoming first-year students are expected to pre-register for a check-in time slot/window. The purpose of registration windows is to provide a move-in experience that reduces congestion during the move-in process. Additional information is also available on the Residence Life webpage.

Transfer Students

Transfer student arrival is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Aug. 17. The Transfer Orientation website provides additional information regarding Transfer Student Arrival.

First-Year Commuter Students

Although commuter students will not be moving into residence halls, there are a variety of optional activities planned in which you may like to participate. Truman Week activities for commuter students officially begin Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 6:45 pm. Please check in at the Student Union Building to kick off Truman Week Activities.

Returning Students

Returning students are welcome to return to campus Saturday, Aug. 21 through Sunday, Aug. 22. Returning students planning to arrive on Saturday are expected to pre-register for a check-in time slot. The purpose of registration windows is to provide an experience that reduces congestion during the move-in process.

No Roommate Option

Students may request a double room buyout to live in a double room without a roommate. To request this option, students should contact the Residence Life Office.

Student Quarantine Arrangements

Students who live on campus and need to be quarantined will be asked to remain in their assigned residence hall room or apartment until confirmation from a health care provider indicates they are not infectious. If necessary, students may be temporarily relocated to a space that has a private bathroom. Arrangements will be made with Dining Services to prepare takeout meals for delivery to the student’s quarantine location to ensure students have access to their meal plan during this time.

Student Isolation Arrangements

Students who live on campus and who become ill and need to be isolated will be provided a single living space with a private bathroom. Arrangements will be made with Dining Services to prepare takeout meals for delivery to the student’s isolation location to ensure students have access to their meal plan during this time. Depending on the severity of symptoms, the student may also wish to return to their familial home to recuperate.

For more information, visit the Residence Life website.

All dining areas will return to typical capacities and seating. Self-service, catering and buffet service will also resume in the fall. Takeout will be available during normal meal times. Sodexo will follow all county health department regulations and is prepared to adjust services should the need arise.