COVID-19 Campus Plan for Fall 2021

SXU will follow its standard academic calendar for the fall 2021 semester. Classes will begin on August 23, 2021 as scheduled.

SXU will return to pre-pandemic levels of in-person teaching and learning, with classrooms and labs returning to full capacity.

SXU strongly encourages students, faculty and staff to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19. At this time, the University will not require campus community members to be fully vaccinated, but those who do not vaccinate will be expected to continue following all appropriate masking, social distancing and other recommendations from public health authorities to reduce the risks from COVID-19.

Students who are unable or unwilling to become vaccinated based on medical, religious or personal beliefs and who intend to participate in classes or other activities on campus that may require reasonable accommodations should complete the Student Request for Learning Adjustments Form by August 6, 2021.

Faculty and staff who are unable to become vaccinated based on medical, religious or personal beliefs may seek reasonable workplace accommodations by contacting the Office of Human Resources via email to humanresources@sxu.edu no later than July 30, 2021.

Some agencies or entities with whom our students engage (such as programs located off campus) may require vaccination as a condition of participation. Program-specific requirements will be communicated as appropriate.

The SXU Health Center will provide vaccinations to SXU community members free of charge. Contact the Health Center at 773-298-3712 or book an appointment on ZocDoc. You can also discuss the COVID-19 vaccination with your health care provider.

Students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to report vaccination status as soon as possible by visiting our confidential Patient Portal. This information will help us streamline community vaccination rate analysis, facilitate contact tracing and inform ongoing planning efforts as we approach the fall semester.

Based on the recommendations of local, state, and national health officials, as of the date of this communication, fully-vaccinated community members are not required to wear masks indoors or outdoors. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors at all times and outdoors when not socially distanced.

SXU will continue as a mask-friendly environment, respecting any individual's decision to wear a mask on campus. Mask-wearing should not be considered an indication of vaccination status.

We ask that non-vaccinated community members report if they learn they have been exposed to an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 or if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 to the Health Center. Vaccinated community members should report testing positive for COVID-19 to the Health Center using the confidential COVID Reporting Form.

The Health Center will perform contact tracing as appropriate.

Community members should follow current CDC guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation.

As a reminder, the campus operations policies (previously, informed consent policies) for students and employees, as amended, remain in place.

New and returning resident students will receive communication from the Residence Life staff with additional residence hall information and protocols, including move-in procedures, housing and roommate assignments, and further details for international students. There will be no restrictions on the use of residence hall space. On-campus guests will be allowed in residential areas with proper approval. Non-vaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks and socially distance when in the residence halls and common areas unless alone in their rooms.

SXU will resume dining operations this fall. Fully-vaccinated community members are not required to wear masks indoors or outdoors. Non-vaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks indoors in the SXU Diner, except when eating, and must continue to social distance.

Campus shuttles will resume normal schedules. All shuttle patrons will be required to mask while on shuttles, regardless of vaccination status.

Athletics is awaiting further guidance from the NAIA and CCAC regarding vaccination and testing requirements for student-athletes as well as spectator policies for competitions. Additional information and protocols will be shared with student-athletes and coaches.

Campus facilities will maintain standard hours of operation, access and capacities. Campus events such as meetings, conferences and social gatherings can take place without capacity restrictions. Hand-sanitizing stations will remain in place. Enhanced cleaning protocols will remain in place. Fully vaccinated community members and visitors are not required to wear masks indoors or outdoors as of the date of issuance of this FAQ, but all community members should remain alert for updates should these requirements change. Non-vaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks indoors at all times and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

SXU employees are working on campus on a full-time basis with campus offices open during standard business hours (typically 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday).

If circumstances emerge that an employee believes may qualify them for workplace accommodations, please contact the Office of Human Resources via email to humanresources@sxu.edu.