EMU Today

Eastern Michigan University details EMU Safe protocols for start of academic year

YPSILANTI -- Eastern Michigan University has detailed its COVID-19 policies and practices for the start of the academic year. Highlights are as follows:

COVID-19 vaccines

Policies regarding employee vaccination remain unchanged. Specifically:

• All employees are required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination information – including any booster shots you have received – to the University’s confidential and securedatabase.
  
• Employees who are required to be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines (which includes a booster shot when eligible) due to the nature of their assignments have been notified by their supervisor.
  
• Employees may be required to undergo periodic evidence-based COVID-19 testing and will be notified via email when such testing is required. Although enforcement of the University policy requiring unvaccinated employees to undergo weekly COVID-19 testing is paused, the University may resume enforcement of the policy in the future.

Policies regarding student vaccination and/or testing will continue for on-campus housing residents; student-athletes, including members of the Marching Band, Cheer Team, and Dance Team; students enrolled in certain academic courses; students who participate in certain academic teams; and students with an in-person academic experience. All students who are subject to these policies are notified via their University email.

Face masks

Face masks are optional in most indoor spaces but will continue to be required in the following spaces:

• Instructors may require students in their specific class/lab to wear face masks while class/lab is in session.
  
• Face masks will continue to be required in the COVID-19 Testing Center, located in the Student Center, and in other specific settings that have been approved by the Office of the President.
  
• Face masks may also be required in private individual offices at the office occupant’s discretion because these spaces are typically smaller and used for longer interactions. However, there will be no requirement for masking in shared reception or student or employee service areas. By way of example, in an office such as the University Advising and Career Development Center (UACDC), the reception areas will have no masking requirement, while an individual advisor or career coach may require face masks in their private individual office. Face mask signage is available for printing here.
  
• Consistent with CDC guidance, employees or students may be required by University Telehealth to wear a face mask for a period of time after having a close contact or testing positive for COVID-19.

The University emphazised the importance of respecting the choice of community members who choose to continue wearing face masks. No employee may prohibit any other person from wearing a face mask. The University will continue to make face masks available for free at various public locations throughout campus, including the Student Center Information Desk and at DPS Headquarters (1200 Oakwood). Employees may also request supplies of face masks for their offices or classrooms.

Facilities

The University continues to analyze wastewater generated in numerous campus buildings as part of a layered strategy to detect and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The University has aligned ventilation and circulation systems consistent with guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Clean Air in Buildings Challenge” and other appropriate agencies.

Classrooms will be configured in their normal format consistent with CDC and EPA recommendations.

Employees may request hand sanitizer, face masks, or disinfectant wipes for their office/classrooms/labs here.

COVID-19 testing

The University may periodically require students or employees to receive a COVID-19 test. Individuals who are required to receive a COVID-19 test will be notified via their EMU email.

Separate from any mandatory testing as outlined above, members of the campus community may receive a free COVID-19 test at the on-campus COVID-19 Testing Center, which is located on the 1st floor of the EMU Student Center. Appointments are required and may be scheduled here.

What if University students or employees get COVID or have a close contact?

Employees and students must continue to report to the University’s Telehealth Clinic if they (1) test positive for COVID-19 or (2) have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Employees and students must comply with instructions from Telehealth about isolation, quarantine, mask wearing, etc.

EMU Telehealth

The University’s Telehealth Clinic manages cases of COVID-19, instructs employees and students about isolation/quarantine, and is available to answer questions about COVID-19, including from individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 but have not tested yet. Learn more about Telehealth here.

Preventing Monkeypox

Monkeypox (MPV) is a viral illness that can cause flu-like symptoms and a rash. The virus is in the same family as smallpox, but is rarely fatal. It is contagious (much less than COVID-19) in some settings and requires isolation of those infected and potential quarantine of those exposed. You can learn more here about how to prevent, identify, and test for Monkeypox.

Stay home if you are sick

It is important to stay home if you are sick and to encourage co-workers and students in the classroom to do the same. You may learn more here about when to stay home and steps employees and students can take if they miss work or class due to illness.

The University's EMU Safe policies are posted and updated as necessary.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.