NAU’s approach to COVID-19 for Fall 2022
Dear Lumberjacks,
As the summer season comes to a close and we prepare to welcome our university community back for an enriching Fall 2022, I want to share NAU’s approach to COVID-19 for the semester ahead.
In the 2.5 years since the onset of the pandemic, we have learned much and now have access to proven and effective means of mitigating and managing the virus and its impacts. Our past response at NAU has been guided by recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and we have worked in close coordination and consultation with local and state public health officials. In so doing, we have established the conditions for our students to progress and succeed, while also supporting the health of our community. Thanks for these accomplishments must be directed to the efforts of our entire university community and our dedication to a culture of care and personal responsibility that has emphasized the importance of considering our collective wellbeing.
Today, two weeks before classes start, the Coconino County dashboard places us in LOW community level, and new guidance has been released from the CDC that will underpin our overall approach to COVID-19 mitigation and management strategies. As always, we will closely monitor conditions, consult with our local and regional partners, monitor caseloads, and follow CDC guidance, making relevant adjustments should the need arise.
Masking
- NAU is a mask-friendly campus, and we encourage individuals to mask to their comfort level and to respect others’ personal choices. Masks continue to be required in clinical and health care settings, including the Campus Health Services clinic.
- When selecting a mask, choose one that fits well and is comfortable. The CDC offers guidance on choosing a mask.
- NAU has a supply of N95 respirator masks available free of charge for members of our university community. Masks are available at the info desks in the Union and DuBois, and (upon request) for employees at NAU-CampusSupply@nau.edu, as supplies are available.
Vaccines
- We strongly encourage all members of our community to get vaccinated and boosted.
- Vaccines are widely available in Coconino County and throughout Arizona.
- To check on your eligibility for booster doses or when to get a booster, please follow CDC guidance.
Testing and Monitoring
- NAU will not require COVID-19 tests and does not have a voluntary testing program for Fall 2022 at the Fieldhouse.
- Individuals who are symptomatic or have recently come in close contact with a positive individual can get tested at Campus Health Services.
- At-home test kits are widely available, including free at-home test kits from the federal government. NAU will also have a supply of at-home kits available for distribution.
- Additional testing resources are available in Coconino County and throughout Arizona.
- NAU will continue to collect wastewater samples on the Flagstaff Mountain Campus to monitor for viral activity.
Isolation and Reporting
- Follow guidance from the CDC on isolation (for positive tests or those experiencing symptoms) and exposure protocols.
- NAU students who test positive are strongly encouraged to use the Faculty Notification Request to inform their instructors and make arrangements to continue to progress in their coursework while isolating.
- NAU students are encouraged to either return home for isolation or isolate in place at their on- or off-campus residence. All students should have proactive and clear conversations with their roommates about expectations should they test positive and need to isolate.
- NAU faculty and staff who test positive should follow the CDC guidelines and work with their supervisor on appropriate arrangements for remote work and absences while isolating.
- Coconino County continues to monitor and report on local cases via their COVID-19 dashboard.
It is important that all of us at NAU actively contribute to and model the community of care that defines our culture, respects other individuals’ choices, and helps to keep ourselves and our broader communities healthy.
Let’s all employ good habits, plan and come to campus prepared, monitor our health—staying home if we feel unwell—and be respectful of others.
I look forward to a bright and vibrant semester ahead.
Sincerely,
José Luis Cruz Rivera
President