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Fall 2022 COVID-19 Campus Expectations

updated August 14, 2022

Dear Covenant Community,

We are excited to begin the fall 2022 semester two weeks from today.  The past two plus years have been stretching due to COVID-19 impacts, but we are grateful for the Lord’s kindness to us as a college in the midst of these challenges.  We know the possibility of rapid spread will be high in the first two weeks as students arrive from across the country and world.  However, with the relative mildness of the current variant and the low rates of hospitalization, we are ready to move from pandemic mitigation rules to a posture of personal responsibility for our health and the welfare of others. To this end, the following new expectations will be in place to start the academic year:

Vaccines

  • The college recommends but does not require the COVID-19 vaccine.  

  • The college will continue working with public health to provide vaccine clinics on campus for those interested in receiving the vaccine or a booster.

Masks

  • The college will remain mask-optional (with the exception of when symptomatic in Health Services).  High-quality masks (e.g., N95, KN95, and KN94) remain an effective shield against viruses (including COVID) if worn appropriately.  

  • Students should plan to bring several masks to campus to be worn in the event of a positive test.  Masks are also encouraged when: 

  • experiencing symptoms of illness, 

  • concerned about being in a crowded place, 

  • or at particular risk of infection (e.g., immunocompromised), 

Testing

  • Unlike previous semesters, there are no testing requirements for entry to campus.  

  • Students are encouraged to take an at-home test prior to moving to campus.  Students who test positive prior to arrival should remain at home until symptoms resolve. 

  • Students who test positive during the semester will follow the isolation instructions from Health Services based on the Georgia Department of Public Health guidance.

  • Students are encouraged to bring a supply of rapid tests with them to campus. At home tests can be requested via https://www.covid.gov/tests. A limited supply of tests are available at Health Services for those who are symptomatic.  

  • Free testing is available locally at the locations listed here.  Additionally, many health insurance plans cover the costs for tests that you purchase at pharmacies.

Positive Tests

  • Students who test positive for COVID-19 after arriving on campus should isolate in their campus residences or at home. 

  • Students with a positive test should isolate according to Georgia Public Health guidance that is, for a minimum of five full days.

  • If you need to leave your room, you will be required to wear a mask when around others.) If you test positive, you should let your close contacts know so they can be careful as well. There will not be any formal contact tracing on campus. 

  • Students with COVID-19 will pick up their own meals “to go” in the Great Hall and will need to wear a mask when doing so. 

  • Any student who tests positive must contact Health Services for a confirmation COVID-19 test before they can receive a five-day Notice of Absence for classes. 

Contact Tracing

  • It will be the student’s responsibility—not the College’s—to notify any close contacts.

  • Out of concern for the community around them, students who test positive for Covid-19 are to notify roommates and others in the community who should be made aware that they have had a known exposure to the virus.

Isolation and Quarantine

  • For students who test positive, isolate either at home or in your current residential space and report the results to healthservices@covenant.edu. Student-athletes must also report a positive COVID-19 test to their coach or athletic trainer. Students should not attend in-person classes or activities for at least 5 days and up to 10 days if symptoms have not improved. Students may pick up meals to-go but must wear a mask through day 10 when around other individuals. The college is prepared to support students who have additional needs. Students with questions related to campus housing or meals may contact diana.reed@coveannt.edu or studentdevelopment@covenant.edu

  • For employees who test positive, isolate away from campus. You are not expected to work if you are sick. Connect with your supervisor to determine if working remotely is an option. Utilize standard sick bank or PTO during this period. Any work absence of more than five consecutive days will require employees to contact HR directly.

  • If you have tested positive, contact individuals with whom you have had close contact. If you receive a message that you were a close contact of a person with COVID-19, follow guidance for close contacts of a COVID-19 positive individual.

As we enter the endemic phase of COVID-19, our policies must reflect the current reality. While COVID mitigation rules were helpful these past two years, our focus now turns to personal responsibility - for our own health and for the health of our community. Please pay attention to your own symptoms and potential exposure, and then be proactive in testing and protecting others when you are infected. 

Sincerely,
Brad Voyles, on behalf of the COVID-19 Committee

 

Graduate School of Education

Undergraduate Departments, Majors, Minors, Certificates, Concentrations, and Programs

Academic Certificates

  • Arts Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
  • Journalism and Society
  • Medical Ethics Consultation
  • Neuroscience
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Art

  • Art, 2-D Concentration 
  • Art, 3-D Concentration 
  • Art, Art History Concentration 
  • Art, Graphic Design Concentration 
  • Art, Photography Concentration 
  • Art minor
  • Art History minor

Biblical & Theological Studies

  • Biblical & Theological Studies 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies, Missions Concentration 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies minor
  • Biblical Languages minor
  • History of Christianity minor
  • Missions minor
  • Youth Ministry minor

Biology

  • Biology, Biomedical Concentration 
  • Biology, Environmental Concentration 
  • Biology, General 
  • Biology, Health Professions Concentration 
  • Biology minor

Business

  • Business 
  • Business, Accounting Concentration 
  • Business, Finance Concentration 
  • Business, Marketing Concentration 
  • Sport Management 
  • Business minor
  • Sport Management minor

Chemistry

  • Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration 
  • Chemistry, General 
  • Biochemistry minor
  • Chemistry minor

Community Development

  • Community Development 
  • Community Development minor

Computer Science

  • Computer Science 
  • Computer Science minor

Economics

  • Economics 
  • Economics minor

Education

  • Education Studies 
  • Elementary Education (P-5) 
  • Secondary Education Certifications through MAT program 
  • Education minor

Engineering 3:2 Program

  • Natural Science, Pre-Engineering Studies Concentration

English

  • English 
  • English, Writing Concentration 
  • English minor
  • Writing minor

Health, Wellness and Coaching

  • Coaching minor

History, Politics, and International Studies

  • History 
  • History, Art History Concentration 
  • Political Science 
  • International Studies 
  • History minor
  • Political Science minor

Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentrations 

Mathematics

  • Mathematics 
  • Mathematics minor

Music

  • Music, Church Music Concentration 
  • Music, Creative Studies Concentration 
  • Music, General Music Concentration 
  • Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Music Education (Pre-MAT) Concentration 
  • Music, Organ Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Pedagogy Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Vocal Performance Concentration 
  • Music minor

Philosophy

  • Philosophy 
  • Philosophy minor

Physics

  • Physics 
  • Physics minor

Pre-Professional Programs

  • Pre-Law Studies 
  • Pre-Medical Studies 
  • Pre-Nursing Studies 
  • Pre-Physical Therapy Studies 

Psychology

  • Psychology 
  • Psychology minor

Sociology

  • Sociology 
  • Sociology, Family Studies & Social Work Concentration 
  • Sociology minor

Theatre

  • Theatre minor

World Languages

  • French 
  • Spanish 
  • French minor
  • Spanish minor