CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION

The following provides information about what to do if you feel unwell, have been exposed to COVID-19, or if someone has disclosed to you that they have COVID or have been exposed to COVID. Please follow the guidance provided. If you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 330-972-7808.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives, including home, school, work and personal interactions. Many of us are facing challenges that can be overwhelming and stressful. Learning how to cope with stress in a healthy way will help you become more resilient and able to care for yourself and others in a positive manner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a robust COVID-related stress management toolkit.

Faculty/staff have access to IMPACT Solutions, which offers virtual and in-personal counseling services to University employees. Learn more on the benefits website.

FACULTY/STAFF

If you are an employee and you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, you should:

• Report off work by notifying your supervisor.
• Reach out to your health care provider or call Health Services at 330-972-7808
• If you are waiting on test results, refrain from communal activities (including in-person classes) and always wear a mask when in the presence of others until your test results come back.
• If you have received a positive test result, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, Report COVID test, symptoms or exposure and follow any advice from contact tracers. Faculty and staff may self-disclose their health status to students and/or co-workers if they desire.

Up-to-date information for faculty and staff can be found on the Human Resources webpage.

If you are a faculty member and a student discloses that they have COVID or have been identified as a close contact or they have been advised to quarantine by contact tracers, you should:

• Use the Faculty/Staff COVID-19 Report Form to report the case, even if the student has already reported it. While it is necessary to make this report for contact tracing, you should not disclose the information to others, including co-workers or students
• Follow any advice from the University of Akron Contract Tracing Assistance Team after a report is made. Be advised that it may not be necessary for contact tracers to contact you after you report the case.
• Continue to hold class unless advised otherwise by contact tracers. Be sure to keep a seating chart for each of your classes, which will greatly improve our ability to contact trace.
• In general, people who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who has COVID-19, unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 5 days or later after their exposure (even if they don’t have symptoms) and continue to wear a mask in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
• People who are not vaccinated should quarantine for 10 days if they have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19. If you have symptoms during the 10-day period, you should consult a health care provider.
• Note: Students will not be issued a letter of return but may return to class after the quarantine period.

If you are a supervisor and an employee (including students) discloses that they were in close contact with someone who tested positive, you should:

• Direct employees to report COVID test, symptoms or exposure and follow any advice from contact tracers.
• In general, people who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who has COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 5 days after their exposure (even if they don’t have symptoms) and continue to wear a mask in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
• People who are not vaccinated should quarantine for 10 days if they have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19.
• Supervisors may work with eligible employees to make arrangements to work from home during quarantine.

Teaching

For faculty: Fall 2021 guidelines for classes, including guidance for masks, seating charts, office hours and more.

The following provides information about what to do if you feel unwell, have been exposed to COVID-19, or if someone has disclosed to you that they have COVID or have been exposed to COVID. Please follow the guidance provided. If you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 330-972-7808.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on our lives, including home, school, work and personal interactions. Many of us are facing challenges that can be overwhelming and stressful. Learning how to cope with stress in a healthy way will help you become more resilient and able to care for yourself and others in a positive manner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a robust COVID-related stress management toolkit.

The University offers free counseling services for enrolled UA students. Clinical intake hours at the Counseling & Testing Center are available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Walk-in intake hours on Thursday are from 1 to 3:30 p.m.  Contact the office at 330-972-7808 or view online resources at www.uakron.edu/counseling. 

If you are a UA student and feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, you should:

• Call Health Services at 330-972-7808 or your health care provider. The CDC offers an interactive self-checker tool that can be referenced for recommendations on testing or medical care.
• Let your instructor know if you will be missing class (and, if you test positive for COVID, let your instructor know).

If you are a vaccinated UA student and a UA friend discloses to you that they have COVID, you should:

• Encourage your friend to make a report here.
• In general, people who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who has COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 5 days or later after their exposure (even if they don’t have symptoms) and continue to wear a mask in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.
• Continue to go to class unless you test positive for COVID or develop symptoms.

If you are an unvaccinated UA student and a UA friend discloses to you that they have COVID, you should:

• Determine if you had close contact with them 48 hours prior to their symptom onset or date they took their COVID-19 test, if they were asymptomatic. People who are not vaccinated should quarantine for 10 days if they have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19. Close contacts should self-report. If you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 330-972-7808.

We require that all members of our community—students, faculty, contract professionals and staff—be fully vaccinated by December 13, 2021, and provide proof of that vaccination history.

Why this requirement?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given full approval of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Pfizer for individuals 16 and older. In its announcement, the FDA said “…this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product.”

After consultation with the leadership of our campus constituencies (University Council, Faculty Senate, Akron-AAUP, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Communications Workers of America (both the trades group and the Staff Bargaining Unit), Undergraduate Student Government, Graduate Student Government, and the Student Bar Association) and in order to continue our efforts to keep the campus community as healthy and safe as possible, the vaccine requirement was put in place.

Noncompliance

Students who are not vaccinated and do not have an exemption granted by the University will not be permitted to enroll for the spring semester.

Faculty, contract professionals and staff who are not vaccinated or do not have an exemption granted by the University will be subject to progressive discipline in keeping with University policy and collective bargaining agreements.

Those individuals who are not vaccinated or have not reported their vaccination status will be subject to up-to-weekly testing and required to wear a face mask at all times while indoors, even if University protocols change based on decreased risk of community spread.

Exemption

You may request an exemption of the vaccine requirement for medical reasons or for sincerely held religious beliefs or reasons of conscience.

Forms for students

• Request an exemption for medical reasons
• Request an exemption for sincerely held religious beliefs or reasons of conscience

Forms for faculty, contact professionals and staff

• Request an exemption for medical reasons
• Request an exemption for sincerely held religious beliefs or reasons of conscience

Answers to your questions

 See answers to common questions

Those who have been fully vaccinated and have uploaded their information into Med+Proctor will be exempt from testing.

Med+Proctor and privacy

We are partnering with Med+Proctor to securely collect the vaccination status of students and employees. Med+Proctor is a confidential record-storage site that automates the immunization-verification process for universities.

Access to the form submission and Med+Proctor data is restricted to University healthcare professionals and trained employees. Your information will not be shared publicly or directly with instructors, supervisors or colleagues.

There is no charge to upload your information.

How to upload

1. Log on to medproctor.com. First-time users will need to register for a new account. There is no charge.
2. Upload your vaccine record.

Need help? See step-by-step instructions.

Problems? Send a message to covid@uakron.edu.

We have partnered with Klein’s Pharmacy to offer the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccines at no out-of-pocket expense from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Quaker Square. No reservation is required. You should bring your Zip Card, a state I.D. card (driver's license) and a private insurance card, if you have one.

Visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov for more registered vaccination locations in Ohio.

Those individuals who are not vaccinated or have not reported their vaccination status will be subject to up-to-weekly testing and required to wear a face mask at all times while indoors, even if University protocols change based on decreased risk of community spread.

There will be no charge for the testing. The cost will be covered by a federal grant.

Those who have been fully vaccinated and have uploaded their information into Med+Proctor will not have to test.

Why is there no testing requirement for vaccinated individuals?

The University is closely following CDC guidelines and is receiving direct guidance from the Summit County Health Department in addressing this public health crisis.

As a community, we all have the responsibility of following the rules and looking out for one another. If you feel that you are unwilling or unable to abide by these protocols, then we would encourage you to work with your advisor to transition courses to online until the pandemic is behind us and/or we are able to change protocols. Online students are exempt from testing.

Exemption forms for students

 Student request for religious exemption from COVID-19 testing/mask

 Student request for medical exemption from COVID-19 testing/masks

Exemption forms for employees

 Employee request for religious exemption from COVID-19 testing

 Employee request for medical exemption from COVID-19 testing

The University currently requires everyone to wear a mask/face covering while in indoor public areas (not private offices and residences) across all campuses.

Masks/facial coverings continue to be required outdoors for unvaccinated individuals when they cannot maintain social distancing. 

The University will continue to monitor conditions and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the State of Ohio and Summit County Public Health and adjust masking protocols as needed. As the semester progresses, if conditions return to low or moderate levels of community spread and the University relaxes masking protocols, faculty and instructors can continue to require the wearing of masks or facial coverings in their individual classrooms.

Exceptions

Exceptions to this requirement are inside residence hall rooms, those working alone in an enclosed space, such as a private office or lab, those actively eating or drinking in an on-campus dining hall or restaurant.  Face coverings are not required while individuals are using the swimming pool(s), spa or shower facilities within SRWS facilities. 

More

• Faculty/Instructors who are teaching in-person classes for the 2021 fall semester may choose to wear a face shield in place of a face mask while teaching if they are vaccinated and can maintain a safe distance of more than six feet from their students. See additional information for faculty.
• Faculty teaching outdoors may do so without a face mask or shield if they are fully-vaccinated.
• Microphones may be requested to aid in teaching.  Please contact Audio Visual Services for assistance.
• Performance arts classes and guest performers may be granted an exception to use face shields or perform without a mask based on additional safety protocols including but not limited to distancing and enhanced surveillance including COVID-19 testing. 
• Faculty or staff seeking a reasonable accommodation should contact the ADA coordinator. If an employee or supervisor believes there is a functional reason for an employee not to wear a face covering for a specific task, or that it is a violation of documented industry standards, or prohibited by law, please complete a safety concern form to request approval for an exception.
• Students requesting a reasonable accommodation from wearing a face covering should contact the Office of Accessibility
• The Office of Accessibility may request that instructors wear a clear view face mask or visible shield to provide necessary facial cues. Faculty may wear their own clear face covering or request one from the Office of Accessibility.
• Any supervisor or employee who has questions about the non-compliance of the mask requirement for employees, please contact LaborRelations@uakron.edu.
• Face coverings are required on all forms of public transportation.
• Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a face covering outdoors. Face coverings are required for all people who are not fully vaccinated when they cannot maintain safe physical distancing outdoors.

Exemption forms for students

 Student request for religious exemption from COVID-19 testing/mask

 Student request for medical exemption from COVID-19 testing/masks

Exemption forms for employees

 Employee request for religious exemption from COVID-19 testing

 Employee request for medical exemption from COVID-19 testing

Report COVID test, symptoms or exposure

If you have tested positive or need to quaran­tine because of close contact with someone who has tested positive, please let us know.

More guidance

About Student Health Services

Located in the Recreation Center (map), Student Health Services is staffed by certified family nurse practitioners. Appointments are available for degree-seeking students and University employees.

Where to get assistance

Affording the semester

Help-A-Zip: Help for students struggling with academics, mental health, finances or adjustment to college. Make a referral or request help for yourself.

ZipAssist: Hub for student support and assistance

Campus Cupboard: Providing students in periodic need with access to the basic necessities of daily living.

Technology needs holding you back?

Students in need of technology (laptop, webcam, etc.) to complete their classes are encouraged to complete a Help-A-Zip Referral Form.

Students in need of internet should also check out a federal broadband assistance program. Qualified households experiencing pandemic-related hardships may be eligible for up to $50 of their monthly broadband charges through this program. Learn more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

Equipment (such as Chromebooks, webcams and hot spots) are available for the duration of the semester.

If you are concerned about your ability to be successful in an online course, please feel free to submit a Help-A-Zip referral. Our team will work with you to offer resources.

For meetings and events that necessitate being in person, departments and student organizations are required to follow these guidelines.

Departments and student organizations are required to meet the following guidelines to promote healthy behaviors to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Adherence to federal, state and local public health requirements is required.
• Adherence to the University's policies for masks as posted elsewhere on this page.
• Identify someone in your group to confirm protocols are met.
• Vocal or singing rehearsals must adhere to current university mask policies and should consider additional risk reduction strategies.
• Understand the risks of COVID transmission at events, your level of risk acceptance and your role in identifying and managing those risks.
• Communicate The University of Akron’s safety policies and procedures to staff and attendees, including their role and responsibility in having a safe event.

If applicable:

• Confirm with your National Governing Body that meeting is permitted and what best practices need to be implemented.
• Confirm that you meet all insurance requirements for your organization.

Before your event

1. In marketing materials, require staff, volunteers and attendees to stay home if they do not feel well, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or had direct contact with an individual diagnosed with or suspected to have COVID-19. Continue to share event expectations so that attendees will be prepared for your event.
2. Determine event layout to enforce all safety protocols—queuing areas, or ingress or egress.
• Don’t forget to create signage for your event. The following are recommended signs you should have at an event: practice proper physical distancing, enter and exit only signs, reminding attendees to wear face coverings and using hand sanitizer.
3. Assign staff to cleaning tasks performed before, during and after the event.
4. Events may have multiple shifts; clean and disinfect common spaces between each group of people. Be sure to provide enough time between groups to allow for cleaning products to work. Determine how you will document who was at your event and when they were at your event for contact tracing purposes.  Use assigned seating as much as possible. 
5. Prepare adequate supplies to protect volunteers and staff, and to clean surfaces.

During your event

Use a contactless method for exchanging or verifying items like identification or event attendance when possible.

Documentation of attendee names, time of arrival and departure for each attendee in case contact tracing is recommended.

Tracking information to collect:

1. Student ID number
2. Name
3. Email/phone number
4. Time of arrival
5. Time of departure
6. Event location
7. Attending identify: In the last 14 days I have not been in contact with a person that has tested positive for COVID-19 or has COVID-19 symptoms. I do not have a fever and am not feeling sick.

Provide hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol near the event entrance and exits.

Document who has attended an event, when they arrived and left for contact tracing purposes when attendees are not at least six feet from one another. Provide culturally appropriate messages and materials to prohibit certain actions like handshakes or high-fives. This could be shared via signage and announcements.

Attendees required to wear a face covering should cover their nose and mouth. Face shields may be a suitable alternative for presenters.

After your event

1. Tracking documents are required for student organization meetings, events and activities. Contact the appropriate department for additional details.
2. Retain attendance tracking information for 14 days following your meeting or event.

Contractors and other professional visitors

We ask that you visit campus only if you have been invited, you are under contract or you have a scheduled appointment. Guidelines:

• If you feel unwell, reschedule your appointment for a day when you feel normal.
• Face coverings are required while on campus. You may be asked to leave should you refuse to wear one.
• We ask that you practice good hygiene while on campus including frequently washing your hands and using the available hand sanitizing stations.  

Families or guests of students

If you are a family member or guest of a current student and plan to meet with your student on campus, we ask that you complete a personal wellness check prior to your arrival. More guidelines:

• If you feel unwell, reschedule your visit for a day when you feel normal.
• Face coverings are required while on campus. You may be asked to leave should you refuse to wear one.
• We also ask that while on campus, please practice good hygiene to include frequently washing your hands and using the available hand sanitizing stations.  

Future students

We welcome you for on-campus visits, all while taking great care to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Learn more and reserve your spot today.

University Libraries

Library hours and policies.

Info for anyone traveling out of Akron:

Travel policy for students, faculty and staff traveling out of Akron and the United States

For non-U.S. students coming to Akron:

See details for students and scholars that are traveling to Akron from abroad

For non-U.S. students

Specific information for international students and scholars

For inbound international travelers

Information for all international travelers coming to UA (including students, faculty, staff and visitors): See "3a. Quarantine Requirements" on this page.

Traveling out of the United States

International travel policy for those traveling from UA

See our positive case rate, active cases, course delivery modes and more: COVID-19 Dashboard

• Reports about expenditures for coronavirus relief funds allocated to UA