NVU-Lyndon Students, Staff, and Faculty:

To date, we’ve had relative success managing the pandemic on campus thanks to the care, concern, and tenacity of everyone in our community. We have modified our response as regional and campus conditions warrant, and this year will be no different as we continue to adapt to this virus as a part of our everyday lives.

While we know that vaccination is our best protection (REQUIRED for campus-based students) against Covid-19, our community has also enjoyed relative good health because of the good decisions made on a daily basis by students, staff, and faculty. Please continue these practices:

Do not go to class or come to work if you are sick.  

• Students should contact the Brown House or their own healthcare provider if needed.
• Employees should contact their healthcare provider if needed.
• Guidance for close contacts.

Get tested when needed. 

• Students may pick up a rapid test from the student life office or at the Brown House.
• Students should report a positive result here regardless of your status as a commuter or resident student.
• Students living on campus who test positive for Covid-19 will isolate and recover in place with support from student life staff and the Brown House.
• Employees can find information about testing and recovery in Vermont here.
• There are no plans currently to offer PCR testing on campus.

Where a mask when needed.

• There is no requirement on campus except in select classrooms and offices as requested and thus required by an instructor or employee.
• Students, staff, and faculty should feel welcome and empowered to mask if they feel more comfortable doing so.
• Masks are available in kiosks around the campus, in the student life office, and at the Brown House.
• We ask that everyone consider masking after travel to areas with high transmission rates.

Wash your hands frequently.

• Good hygiene practices will help everyone stay healthy.

In addition to NVU-Lyndon email communications, if there are significant updates to protocols or other developments, please refer to https://www.northernvermont.edu/about/nvu-during-covid-19/ for information and resources.

#StayHealthyNVU

Take care,
Jonathan Davis
Executive Director and Dean of Students
Northern Vermont University-Lyndon

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I am following up on the announcement I made on March 4 lifting the mask mandate for students and employees on our campuses (see original message below my signature) effective March 11. At the time we made the announcement, we knew we would need to follow-up with additional details. Here they are:

• Today, Friday, March 11 at 4 p.m., NVU will have a mask-optional policy in place.
• Students, staff, and faculty should feel welcome and empowered to continue to mask if they feel more comfortable doing so.Please honor those individual masking decisions as we encounter friends, family, and members of the public who feel safer masking or who are safer masking because of health conditions.

o   Students, staff, and faculty may be asked to mask in some classrooms and offices. All should be prepared and ready to comply. We are a community and we must be mindful of the health and safety of our community members. Wearing a mask for a short time in a classroom, lab, or office is a small inconvenience in the overall picture of a mask-free campus.

o   NVU will maintain mask kiosks across both campuses until further notice. Be ready to wear a mask—even carrying one with you—when asked to do so. 

• Visitor Vaccination:NVU will end its restriction on visitors coming to campus effective Friday at 4 p.m. as well.
• As has been the case since the spring semester of 2020, NVU will be prepared to change our masking and other pandemic policies at any time.

Thank you to each of you for all you have done during the two years of this pandemic. I have been so impressed by your care and respect for yourself and the full NVU community. Please remember that those who choose to continue to wear masks are doing so for legitimate reasons and should be respected.

Again, I can’t wait to exchange a smile with each of you.

Take care,

John

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills:

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

On this beautiful winter day, I am excited to write to you with news that I know you have waited to hear for a long time.

In accordance with Governor Scott’s announcement yesterday regarding indoor mask guidance going away on March 14, and due to the now “low” risk level in both of our counties according to the CDC, NVU will move to a mask optional policy beginning at 4 pm on Friday, March 11. This includes all indoor spaces and campus vehicles.

Students, staff, and faculty should feel welcome and empowered to continue to mask if they feel more comfortable doing so. I know that each of you will honor those individual masking decisions as we encounter friends, family, and members of the public who feel safer masking or who are safer masking because of health conditions.

We do have some COVID policies and health practices that are still in place. 

All NVU students are required to be fully vaccinated, including the booster. Account holds will be applied shortly to those campus-based students who have not verified their full vaccination. You may verify the booster at NorthernVermont.edu/Covid19Vaccination. Boosting is our best defense against the pandemic.

Weekly testing will continue through the month of March.

As has been the case throughout the pandemic, please stay home if sick.

If conditions arise, we will reinstate our mask policy at any moment to protect our community.

Keep practicing good hygiene with washing hands, coughing into your elbow, etc. It keeps many the spread of many diseases at bay!

Thank you for all that you have done to keep yourself and the community safe. You have each been a critical piece in keeping NVU healthy. This care for one another is just one of the reasons why I love Northern Vermont University.

I look forward to the return of major traditions and sharing them with you. I can’t wait to see your faces!

Enjoy your weekend!

John

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills:

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

As our students head off for their first break of the semester, I am writing to update you on where we are at with the pandemic here at NVU.

First, thank you for the tremendous commitment each of you have made to safety on our campuses. You have shown that through good masking, arrival testing, vaccination, reporting of test results, and all the rest of the safety protocols and practices necessary to keep our community safe.

At this time, we are at 53 cases reported since January 1. This number includes students and employees reporting from campus and home. The numbers are updated weekly at NorthernVermont.edu/COVID-19.

Like everyone, we are watching the case counts around us on a local, statewide, and national basis. We are seeing reduced daily case counts in our state and in Caledonia and Lamoille Counties. The state has announced that they will support K-12 schools lifting mask mandates when the schools reach an 80% vaccination threshold.

As stated to the community last fall, we are committed to reevaluating the indoor mask mandate when the CDC downgrades our two counties to “moderate” or “low” transmission. Another important factor in that decision is our own vaccination rate and that includes the booster. We are approaching 50% with more work to be done.

Students, you are required to get the booster shot and you are also required to verify the booster at NorthernVermont.edu/Covid19Vaccination. Boosting is our best defense against the pandemic.

Students are strongly encouraged to test at home prior to returning to campus following the upcoming break. NVU will expand access to rapid tests for students upon return beginning on Monday, February 28. Check your NVU email and the NVU Covid website for details.

Students, please practice our #STAY HEALTHYNVU Health and Safety Protocols while on break. Have fun, rest up, and be safe!

I look forward to seeing you on your return!

John

Interim President John W. Mills

NVU Students:

Testing for students will be available each week that school is in session.

Those who test positive must report their test results here

*Testing Schedule:

Student PCR testing – Wednesdays, 11:30 am – 1:15 pm

• Johnson Campus: Multi-Gym
• Lyndon Campus: ASAC 100 (Moore Community Room)

Student only testing (rapid antigen) – Thursdays, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

• Johnson Campus: Dewey Commons
• Lyndon Campus: ATT Theatre Lobby

*Schedule subject to change. Please check your NVU email frequently and NVU During Covid-19 for updates.

Jonathan Davis
Dean of Students

NVU-Johnson Community:

The Vermont Department of Health (Lamoille Valley) will host a public walk-in vaccine clinic open to all (1st, 2nd or Booster) at the NVU-Johnson campus on Friday, January 28,  2022, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.  in the Multi Gym. Remember to bring your vaccine card with you. It does not matter where you have been vaccinated in the past. Just show up with you card.

Important Links:

Student vaccine requirement including booster

Find testing sites and vaccine clinics all over Vermont

Eligibility and choice for the COVID-19 booster shot

Please reach out to me for assistance. A clinic for the Lyndon campus will be announced soon.

Jonathan M. Davis
Dean of Students

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I hope your first week of classes has been good—even with the pivot to remote instruction. I am excited to see you all back next week. I’d like to review some of the expectations for your return. We can’t wait to see you!

Students, if you haven’t returned to campus, please do so— unless you have tested positive for COVID-19, are ill and showing symptoms, or if you know that you have been a close contact of someone who has tested positive. On Monday, January 24, we will resume in-person instruction.

Student Arrival to Campus and Testing Protocols

Students, you may arrive on campus anytime between now and Monday. Students living on campus must fill out the housing arrival form to indicate their arrival plans.

All students are expected to test in advance of departing for campus. Do not come to campus if you test positive or if you are showing signs of illness. A rapid testing kit will be given to all students upon arrival. Please test with that kit.

Health and Safety Protocols–#STAYHEALTHYNVU

• Wearing masks indoors when you are with anyone else is mandatory.
• Get BOOSTED. Vaccination and the booster (when eligible) is a requirement for all students. Students may submit their proof of booster at NorthernVermont.edu/Covid19Vaccination (You will need to upload images of the front and back of your vaccination card.)
• Keep small social gatherings to a minimum—ALWAYS mask.
• Wash your hands.
• Socially distance.
• Stay home if you are ill, symptomatic for COVID-19, or know you were a close contact of someone who is positive.

Testing Schedule Week of January 24

Student only testing, Monday, January 24 and Tuesday, January 25, 12 pm -2 pm

• Johnson Campus: Multi-Gym
• Lyndon Campus: ATT Theatre Lobby

Regular Wednesday PCR testing, 11:30 am – 1:15 pm

• Johnson Campus: Multi-Gym
• Lyndon Campus: ASAC 100 (Moore Community Room)

Thank you. I look forward to seeing you! Keep up-to-date at NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19.
#STAYHEALTHYNVU

John

NVU Students:

The start of the semester is here, and we are excited to have you back. Following up on President Mills’ message from last week, and so that we can get off to a healthy start, please be sure to complete all the steps below.

Pre-Semester Checklist:

1. By far, our most important protection is a fully vaccinated NVU community! Full COVID-19 vaccination, which now includes the booster, is required. If you are not yet eligible, please plan to receive a COVID-19 booster within 14 days of your eligibility date. You must verify your booster at https://www.northernvermont.edu/about/nvu-during-covid-19/.
2. Before traveling back to NVU, get a negative test. Do not travel to campus with symptoms or a positive result. A pre-arrival test can be any home rapid test or pharmacy/state PCR that has been granted emergency use authorization by the FDA. More information about the types of tests is available here.
3. Get tested when you arrive at school in addition to the pre-arrival test. 

*Week 1 testing schedule:  

• Monday, January 17 – 10:00 am–2:00 pm
• Tuesday, January 18 – 10:00 am–2:00 pm
• Wednesday, January 19 – 11:30 am–1:15 pm
• Thursday, January 20 – 10:00 am–2:00 pm
• Friday, January 21 – 10:00 am–2:00 pm

NVU-Johnson – Multi Gym
NVU-Lyndon – ATT Lobby

*Week 2 testing for arrivals will be announced this week.

#StayHealthyNVU 

1. Get Boosted!

1. Mask up properly at all times and all places indoors.

1. Wash hands frequently.

1. Stay away if symptomatic and get tested.

If you have questions, please submit them here.

Jonathan Davis
Dean of Students

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills:

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

With the current COVID-19 situation, we have decided to make some changes to the start of classes next week. Please read carefully so you understand the details.

The first week of classes will begin on time on January 18, but all classes will be remote. We are making this decision to flatten the curve and to decrease campus density. Additionally, weather may exacerbate safe travel to campus. Snowfall is expected Monday throughout the day.

• Students, you may delay your arrival to campus and take your classes from home OR you can arrive on campus as planned and take them from your room. Commuter students, you are welcome to come to campus if you need high-speed internet to take your class. All students must follow all of the health and safety protocols outlined below.
  • Check your NVU email and Canvas for Zoom links and details about how your class will meet. If you have not heard from your professor prior to your class time, please email them.
  • We know remote learning can be difficult. We are making this pivot to keep the NVU community safe.
• Faculty, consistent with our week-one remote pivot last fall (on the Johnson campus), please report to your home campus to teach remotely from your classroom or office. Please post clear instructions for your students in Canvas, and email them as well.

Student Arrival to Campus and Testing Protocols

Students, you may arrive on campus as planned this weekend or you may delay your arrival to anytime during the week or the following weekend. Students living on campus must fill out the housing arrival form to indicate their arrival plans.

All students are expected to test in advance of departing for campus. Do not come to campus if you test positive or if you are showing signs of illness. A rapid testing kit will be given to all students upon arrival. Follow-up testing will be announced later and at NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19.

Campuses Will be Fully Operational

Our campuses will be operational the week of January 17. The dining halls will be open, employees will be on campus, the health and wellness office will be open, and athletics will go on as planned.

Again, we are making this move out of an abundance of caution to keep our NVU community safe and to flatten the curve at NVU as cases continue to rise. There are indications that cases are beginning to decrease in cities such as Boston.

The urgency of this message is to underscore that we need to pivot to remote teaching and communicate how to do that to our students, especially those new NVU students who haven’t had to do this before.

Health and Safety Protocols–#STAYHEALTHYNVU

• • Wearing masks indoors when you are with anyone else is mandatory.
  • Get BOOSTED. Vaccination and the booster (when eligible) is a requirement for all students and employees See correction regarding employee vaccination below. Students may submit their proof of booster at NorthernVermont.edu/Covid19Vaccination (You will need to upload images of the front and back of your vaccination card.)
  • Keep small social gatherings to a minimum—ALWAYS mask.

• Wash your hands.
• Socially distance.
• Stay home if you are ill, symptomatic for COVID-19, or know you were a close contact of someone who is positive.

Thank you. Stay tuned for updates. Keep up-to-date at NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19.

#STAYHEALTHYNVU

John

---

CORRECTION:

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills

Dear NVU Faculty and Staff,

Please note that I have a correction to make in my message sent via Tracy Sherbrook with the subject line, “Message from the President: REMOTE INSTRUCTION Opening Week.” Per VSCS Chancellor Sophie Zdatny’s message on Monday, vaccination and boosters are NOT “required” for employees. Rather, the Chancellor’s Office intends to adopt a “vaccinate or test” policy. Please see the chancellor’s full message below my signature.

John

Message from Chancellor – COVID Policy for Employees

Message from Vermont State Colleges Chancellor, Sophie Zdatny

All:

It is a new year but, unfortunately, we have not yet left the challenges of managing COVID-19 behind.  We know that many of you have questions as to the Vermont State College’s plans with respect to a vaccine mandate for employees.  Developing a policy has been extremely challenging as we navigate the ever-evolving medical guidance and monitor the legal travails of the federal vaccine mandates.

It is our intent to adopt a “vaccine or test” policy.  This will require all employees (including part-time and student employees) to provide proof of vaccination (including booster shots when eligible) by the end of January.  Employees who are not fully vaccinated will be required to provide proof of a weekly negative COVID test.  All employees, whether fully vaccinated or not, will be expected to follow the current face mask rules in effect at each VSC institution.

The “vaccine or test” policy would NOT apply to those employees who work exclusively remotely and whose job duties do not require them to come physically to any VSC campus, academic center, or work site where other employees and students are present.

Employees who are currently working remotely, rather than in the office, due to the pandemic but could be asked to return to their offices as our needs evolve would be covered by this policy.

The VSC does not intend to provide weekly testing to those employees who are not fully vaccinated and boosted. Free testing can be scheduled ahead of time through the State’s website at https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing/where-get-tested.

The VSC is exploring its capacity to provide testing to employees (whether vaccinated or not) who are required to isolate following a positive COVID test or to quarantine following a close contact with someone who has tested positive to enable them to test out, in accordance with current state and federal guidance.

Employees will be required to upload their proof of vaccination status and the weekly testing results for those who are not fully vaccinated using the UKG portal starting at the end of January.

More information, including the official start date, will be shared as it becomes available, including instructions on what documentation must be uploaded and how to upload it.

We want everyone to be safe and healthy.  Vaccinations are the best way to protect yourself, your family, and community from the serious effects of the virus.  Therefore, we strongly encourage all employees to get fully vaccinated and to receive the booster shot when eligible.

With best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022,

– Sophie

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills

Welcome Home, NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Whether you are joining us as a new student, returning to campus, or studying through NVU Online, we are excited to welcome you for the spring semester at NVU. We cannot wait to see you all again! I know many of you have questions about the spring semester so please read this email through.

Spring Semester COVID-19 Expectations

• We open for the spring semester on time and as planned. Campus-based classes begin on January 18.
• Please get tested before traveling to NVU and do not travel with symptoms.
• Arrival testing will be available for all students as well as testing during that first week of classes.
• Full vaccination, including boosters, is required for students on all VSCS residential campuses. All students must be vaccinated and will be required to be boosted fourteen days after eligibility and provide proof of the booster vaccination. Those students who have received their booster may fill out the proof form here NorthernVermont.edu/Covid19Vaccination. (You will need to upload images of the front and back of your vaccination card.)

We know that the omicron variant is more contagious. We also know that symptoms and length of illness are lessened in those who vaccinate. Vaccination and boosting is one of our best strategies in keeping COVID-19 at bay—and preventing mutations that may be far more dangerous. #BoostUpNVU

One key component of keeping our campuses safe is to stay home from school or work if you are sick or showing COVID-19 symptoms. To ensure academic success for our students, faculty must be ready to accommodate a student who needs to be remote due to illness or is isolating because of testing positive.

PLEASE continue these safety measures wherever you are:

• Get boosted!
• Small informal gatherings are a significant source of transmission. Keep gatherings small and limited and wear your mask while visiting with others!
• Wear your mask—properly and well-fitting over your mouth and nose. Neck gaiters are not allowed in place of a properly fitting face mask.
• Limit your contact with others and avoid large gatherings.
• Social distance while inside to keep the spread of COVID down.
• Get tested if you think you might have been exposed to COVID-19.
• STAY HOME if you have any symptoms or are sick.

Each of us is part of the solution to this pandemic. Help keep your friends, family, and the NVU community safe by doing the above. We cannot beat this without the full participation of each of us.

Enjoy the rest of your break. I can’t wait to see you soon! Stay tuned for additional communications from Dean of Students Jonathan Davis about specific details for your return. And, as always, visit NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19 to stay up to date.

#GetBoostedNVU—We All Have a Part to Play

John

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

I hope you are finding time to relax today. It is a beautiful and sunny one in northern Vermont. As the omicron variant spreads across the United States, I know that many of you are wondering what impact this will have on our community come January. The executive team and I met yesterday to discuss this and will meet again next week. The VSCS presidents and the Chancellor are also actively discussing our plan of action. As of now, there is no change to the NVU schedule for the Spring semester. We will be communicating with you regularly after the first of the year.

Right now, the most important thing you can do for your health and safety and the health of your family and friends is to get boosted if you are vaccinated and get vaccinated if you aren’t. Vaccination will also help protect your NVU community. The scientific data is clear—vaccinations prevent serious illness and hospitalizations. And no matter what, please mask-up whenever you are in group settings and especially if you do not know the vaccinated status of others.

Please take these safety measures throughout the break:

• Wear your mask.
• Limit your contact with others and avoid large gatherings.
• Keep even small gatherings limited and wear your mask while visiting with others!
• Social distance while inside to keep the spread of COVID down.
• Get tested if you think you might have been exposed to COVID-19.
• Get boosted!

Happy holidays! Stay safe. Stay Healthy. Stay vigilant. Get vaxed and boosted! #MASKUP #VAXUPNVU

We will be back in touch as we know more.

John

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills:

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

As we close out the semester, we have four new positives to report on the Johnson campus. As we wait for official confirmation, we expect this total to increase.

We are starting to see the COVID numbers doubling in many places across the country. Please, play it safe over your break. I know we are all tired of this, but if we can keep mutations down, the pandemic will slow.

We all want to return to safe and healthy campuses. If you have not done so yet, get a booster! There is increasing evidence that it will protect you and keep your symptoms mild if you do get COVID.

Over the break:  

• Wear your mask.
• Limit your contact with others and avoid large gatherings.
• Keep small gatherings limited and wear your mask while visiting with others!
• Social distance while inside to keep the spread of COVID down.
• Get tested if you think you might have been exposed to COVID-19.
• Get boosted!

Happy holidays! Stay safe. Stay Healthy. Stay vigilant. And get vaxed and boosted

Total cumulative positives since the start of the semester are tracked at NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19.

Take care!
John

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills:

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

We have three new positives to report – two at Johnson and one at Lyndon. Total cumulative positives since the start of the semester are tracked at NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19.

As we come to the last day of classes and head into exam week, it is critically important to look towards our health and safety over the holiday. I ask you to consider that small informal unmasked gatherings with people we know continue to be a major cause of spread. Act as though you are on campus over the semester break to keep yourselves and your family and friends healthy and safe—and to ensure a healthy return to our campuses in January.

Over the break:

• Wear your mask.
• Limit your contact with others and avoid large gatherings.
• Social distance while inside to keep the spread of COVID down.
• Get tested if you think you might have been exposed to COVID-19.

Next week, we will hold our last testing sessions before the break. These testing sessions will be at the regular locations and times.

Wednesday, December 15, 11:30 a.m.—1:15 p.m.

• Johnson Campus: Multi Gym
• Lyndon Campus: Moore Community Room (ASAC 100)

Good luck with your exams and final papers. Study and work hard. Be sure to enjoy the stress-relieving events we’ve planned on each campus during exam week. 

Keep up the masking. Stay diligent. 

Take care!

John

John W. Mills, Interim President

A Message from Interim President John W. Mills

Dear NVU Students, Faculty, and Staff,

It is so good to see you all again after the Thanksgiving break. Welcome home to the winter wonderland on both our campuses!

We have four new positives to report, two at Johnson and two at Lyndon. Total cumulative positives since the start of the semester are tracked at NorthernVermont.edu/COVID19.

As we finish the semester, I urge you to do all you can to stay safe and healthy so we can get through classes and exams before you travel home again.

Be sure to:

• Wear your mask.
• Limit your contact with others and avoid large gatherings.
• Social distance while inside to keep the spread of COVID down.
• Get tested if you think you might have been exposed to COVID-19.

#MaskUpNVU and get outside to enjoy the fresh, brisk air.

John