The Healthy Elon Committee on Thursday offered an update on the university's mask policy as well as insight into decision-making about the mask policy going forward.
Dear members of the Elon community,
As the COVID-19 case count on the Elon campus and in our region continues to slowly decline, we are reviewing policies for the remainder of Fall Semester and for Winter Term and Spring Semester. We are grateful for your cooperation in following Healthy Elon policies and have strong evidence that your vigilance has been effective in reducing the level of cases among both vaccinated and unvaccinated members of our community.
Indoor Mask Policy in Place for Remainder of Fall Semester
Based on current guidance from the CDC and NCDHHS regarding COVID transmission rates, the requirement to wear masks in all indoor public spaces will remain in place for all students, faculty, staff and visitors through the end of fall semester. We expect the policy will also continue through the end of December. This includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Masks are not required for those alone in private offices, in residence hall/apartment rooms, or while eating or drinking.
Protecting the Entire Community through Masking
Studies have consistently shown that masking indoors provides the best protection for the health and safety of the campus community in the busy weeks ahead, leading up to Thanksgiving travel and time with family. This is particularly important while many in our community are arranging vaccinations for children ages 5-12 and booster vaccinations. The current mask policy will also provide an extra measure of protection for those participating in Homecoming activities.
Winter Term and Spring Semester Guidelines Forthcoming
Healthy Elon, the Data Team, and Infectious Disease Response continue to monitor conditions on campus and in the local community and will provide advance notice of policy guidelines for Winter Term and Spring Semester. Winter Term guidance will be shared in mid-to-late December, and we will continue to base policies on CDC assessment of COVID-19 community transmission risks, on-campus conditions, as well as guidance from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Alamance and Guilford County health departments.
Get and Submit Your Booster Vaccination
Elon continues to encourage vaccinations and vaccine boosters. All students, faculty and staff are approved to receive boosters in North Carolina.
- No matter your initial vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson), all booster vaccines are available and have been shown to provide strong antibody response.
- Read more about boosters on the Healthy Elon website here, including where to receive a booster.
- Details will be released soon regarding a December Pfizer booster clinic on campus.
- Upload your vaccine booster documentation to Elon’s vaccination site (select “booster shot” in the drop-down menu).
Please continue to monitor our regular email communications on campus conditions and policies and visit the Healthy Elon website for comprehensive information.
Happy Holidays and good luck with the rest of the semester,
Jeff Stein, Healthy Elon Committee Chair
- Dan Anderson, Special Assistant to the President
- Ginette Archinal, Medical Director of Student Health and University Physician
- MarQuita Barker, Assistant Dean of Campus Life and Director of Residence Life
- John Barnhill, Associate Vice President for University Advancement
- Tom Flood, Assistant Vice President of Physical Plant
- Jason Husser, Associate Professor of Political Science and Policy Studies, and Director of the Elon Poll (Academic Council Representative)
- Deandra Little, Assistant Provost, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and Professor of English
- Paul Miller, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence and Operations and Professor of Exercise Science
- Kelly Reimer, Senior Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies (Staff Council Representative)
- Carrie Ryan, Assistant Vice President for Auxiliary Services
- Kelli Shuman, Associate Vice President for Human Resources & Chief Human Resources Officer
- Gabie Smith, Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Psychology
- Mary Southern, Project Manager for Provost and Academic Affairs Operations (Project Manager)