Weekly COVID-19 Committee Update - Faculty and Staff

To: W&L Faculty and Staff
From: COVID-19 Committee
Date: Wednesday, October 21

Below is this week's update on the university's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please remember to check the COVID-19 Resources website for the latest campus messages, resources, and FAQs that are being updated regularly, and to submit your questions to covid19@wlu.edu.

Thank You for Town Hall Participation

Thanks so much to all of you who joined the recent C19C Town Hall Zoom forums. Your thoughtful questions, concerns and ideas were incredibly helpful as we continue to make recommendations on the university's COVID-19 response to President Dudley and the Cabinet, and we'd like to keep the lines of communication open. Please continue to share your thoughts and questions with us through the COVID-19 email at covid19@wlu.edu.

Testing Update

Last week, we increased capacity with our testing partner, Bode Technologies, and are now testing up to 600 students and employees each week as part of our ongoing testing program, which includes asymptomatic testing of identified close contacts of known cases, as well as surveillance testing.

Staff Appreciation Holidays

In recognition of your dedication to keeping our campus safe during the pandemic, President Dudley is granting a one-time addition to the holiday calendar. December 21, 22, and 23 will be designated as Staff Appreciation Holidays, and the university will be closed from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, 2021. We hope you all enjoy a much deserved break!

Thanksgiving/Winter Break Travel and Returning to Campus

There are no restrictions on traveling out of state over Thanksgiving or the winter break, however employees will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days following return to Lexington. Please work with your supervisor to coordinate your work schedule during the required self-quarantine period. No self-quarantine will be required if traveling within the State of Virginia during the holidays.

We recommend that all employees minimize contacts after January 1, 2021 and until they have completed re-arrival testing. Classes resume Jan. 19, 2021 and re-arrival testing for all students and employees will begin on Monday, Jan. 11 in Evans Dining Hall. Employees who are not required to self-quarantine because they have not traveled out of state may return to work prior to being tested but should minimize contacts.

Reminder: Student Conduct Data

COVID-related student conduct data are being made available to interested faculty and staff and can be found on Box in the file: Student Conduct at W&L During COVID.

Recent Communications (as information)

• On Oct. 16, the Assistant Dean of Law Student Affairs sent an email to law students with information on weekly surveillance testing, conduct violations, social gathering sizes, mental health resources, and flu shots.
• On Oct. 15, the COVID-19 Committee sent an email to undergraduate students with information about upcoming activities on campus, contact tracing, mental health resources, and flu shots.