Safety updates for spring - message to faculty and staff, Jan. 10, 2022

Dear VCU faculty and staff,

Your continued diligence with health and safety measures makes a tremendous difference and underpins ongoing in-person learning and activities as planned this semester.

We recognize that we must continue living with COVID-19. In similar fashion to other Virginia institutions, we will maintain the masking and testing strategies that were successful in slowing the infection rate last fall.

Please visit our Better Together website for more information about how VCU is adapting to COVID-19, including what to do if you have symptoms or exposure, and note the following updates and reminders:

Working on-campus

Starting January 18, employees will resume work arrangements agreed upon with their supervisors during the fall semester.

Course modalities

Courses will be delivered in the modalities published in the Spring 2022 Schedule of Classes. Many in-person classes and activities on the MCV Campus have already started.

Vaccines and boosters are required

VCU community members must be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious exemption. VCU considers fully vaccinated to be 1) having received an initial vaccination shot (or shots) and 2) having received a booster shot when eligible.

Everyone who is eligible for a booster must report receiving one to VCU by Feb. 1 or within 30 days of becoming eligible. The reporting mechanism for employees will be available no later than Jan. 24. Students can begin reporting boosters today, Jan. 10.

For information about how to report your vaccination and/or booster to VCU, visit the vaccine FAQ for employees.

Mask and supply availability

VCU is updating and adding to its supply of KN95 and three-layer 100 percent cotton masks and hand sanitizer in campus vending machines. These supplies are available to students and employees at no cost. You can find vending machine locations and supply information here.

More information

We will continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions in the VCU and surrounding communities in order to make informed decisions and will communicate updates as changing conditions warrant. Please check our FAQ for immediate answers to questions and, for specific questions, email together@vcu.edu.

Sincerely,

Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D.
Provost and senior vice president for academic affairs

Arthur Kellermann, M.D., M.P.H.
Senior vice president for health sciences at VCU and CEO of VCU Health System

Meredith L. Weiss, Ph.D.
Vice president for administration