Dear Students, 

We look forward to welcoming you back to campus for the spring semester!

As a campus community, everyone did a tremendous job of adhering to safety protocols that allowed for a very successful fall semester. We certainly hoped that we would be through the worst of the pandemic by now, and appreciate that the rise of the Omicron variant presents a challenging situation for all members of our community. 

Due to the high transmissibility of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and associated rates of breakthrough infections, we want to share important mitigation protocols we have in place to facilitate a safe return to in-person learning and activities for spring 2022.  

Step 1: Test before you return to campus. 
Take a PCR test within seven days before returning to campus. If you test positive, isolate at home and do not come to campus until you have isolated for 10 days–even if you are asymptomatic or your symptoms are resolving. This guidance is consistent with recommendations we have received from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD). We are aware that the CDC is recommending a shorter time frame, and at this time are using the more localized TPCHD guidance. We will update you if this changes.
See Dec. 9 required testing message.

Step 2: Get here safely. 
Get your booster shot (if you are eligible) prior to returning. While traveling, wear a substantial, well-fitting mask over your nose and mouth, and limit close contact with others as much as possible. Masks continue to be required on campus.
See CDC travel guidance.
See Dec. 17 booster shot message.

Step 3: Get tested when you arrive on campus. 
All campus members need to complete a saliva test within five days of returning to campus, as COVID infections may not be detected until two to five days following exposure. (This is important! Failure to participate in saliva testing within five days of arrival will result in inability to participate in in-person activities on campus.) In addition, students who live in double rooms in campus housing will be provided with rapid tests that should be completed the day of move in. Look for more detailed information from Counseling, Health and Wellness Services prior to the start of the semester. 

Getting everyone back on campus and tested frequently at the beginning of the semester is one of our best defenses for limiting the spread of the virus on campus.

Step 4: Limit contact with others until you have received a negative pooled saliva test result.
If you develop symptoms, self-quarantine in your residence and get tested right away. We will continue to make isolation spaces available on campus for use as needed.
See COVID-19 FAQs for guidance.

Step 5: Wait to begin in-person activities until it has been determined that it is safe to do so. 
Depending on conditions at the time students return for classes, we will be prepared to initiate additional mitigation strategies if necessary. These could include holding classes remotely for a brief period of time if needed to allow for more extensive testing of the campus community after all students return to campus the weekend of Jan. 16.  You may be asked to provide proof of arrival testing before joining classes or other in-person activities. 

Step 6:  Participate in weekly asymptomatic testing.
All members of the campus community who are attending classes, living or working on campus will participate in once a week surveillance testing throughout the month of January. 

More information will be forthcoming no later than Jan. 12. Having everyone return to campus as planned will allow us to get through testing and establish a safer environment for everyone more quickly. The university will continue to monitor the situation and determine if other mitigation protocols are needed at any point during the semester. Please check your email for updated information prior to the start of the semester.

Every person in our campus community has a role in ensuring a safe start to the semester, and we appreciate the efforts that everyone is making. I look forward to being in community with you soon, and hope you enjoy the remaining weeks of winter break.

Sincerely, 

Isiaah
Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President