Arrival testing and reporting for residential students
Residential students: If you are back on campus, you should have completed a PCR test upon arrival. Please submit your test results through the Report Return-to-Campus Test Results form. Failure to report your test results, may ensue deactivation of your key card. Until students receive their results, they are asked to avoid close contact with others and, as always, adhere to the University’s mask policy.

Residence hall guest policy
From Jan. 24–Feb. 6, residents may not have guests in their residence hall, with the exception of assistance provided during move-in.

Masks
KN95 masks are available to non-residential students, faculty, and staff and can be picked up in the Student Life Center in the Olmsted Center (one per person, while supplies last). Residential students will receive two KN95 masks upon arrival to their residence hall. These masks are to be worn during the first two weeks of the semester.

Student Life: Through Feb. 7
In-person student activities will be limited until in-person classes resume Feb. 7. Please help keep Drake safe and healthy by restricting social activity during these crucial two weeks, including informal social gatherings. Athletic events will continue as scheduled during the first two weeks of the semester. Please note: Drake athletic teams follow extensive testing and safety protocols recommended by the NCAA. Dining halls, the Bell Center, Underground Fitness, Student Health and Counseling, and the libraries will remain open following masking and safety protocols.

How to get a test kit on campus
Self-administered saliva-based PCR test kits through Test Iowa are available at the Student Services Center in the Olmsted Center. Students, faculty, and staff can pick up a test kit at no cost. Students with COVID-19 like symptoms are asked to notify contacttracing@drake.edu before administering a test. Please refer to the COVID-19 Testing FAQ for additional information.

— Chris Nickell, Environmental Health and Safety; Jerry, Dean of Students

The CDC recently adjusted its isolation and quarantine guidance. As it has since the start of the pandemic, Drake will follow the CDC’s recommendations. The new requirements are:

If you test POSITIVE for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status):

• Days 1–5: Isolation(stay home).
• Days 6–10: If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving and you have been fever free for 24 hours, you can leave isolation. Continue wearing a mask around others at all times. Do not eat and drink around others. This includes all campus dining facilities and coffee shops. Drake travel is prohibited until after day 10.

Note: If you have symptoms, the five-day isolation period begins the day after symptoms appear, regardless of test date. If you do not have symptoms, the five-day period begins the day after your test date.

If you were EXPOSED to COVID-19 and boosted:

• Continue wearing a mask around others. It is recommended to test on day five. If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home. Follow the guidance above if you test positive.

If you were EXPOSED to COVID-19 and unvaccinated or vaccinated more than five months ago with Pfizer or Moderna (more than two months ago with Johnson and Johnson) and have not received your booster:

• Days 1–5: Quarantine (stay home). The date of exposure is day zero.
• Day 5: Take a test. Send your results to contacttracing@drake.edu. If you test negative, you no longer need to quarantine. If you do not choose to test or do not communicate your negative results to contacttracing@drake.edu, you must quarantine for the full 10 days.
• Days 6–10: If you test negative on or after day 5, you can leave quarantine. Continue wearing a mask around others. Do not eat and drink around others. This includes all campus dining facilities and coffee shops. Drake travel is prohibited during days 1–5. If you test negative on or after day 5, travel can resume.

Studies show that after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection decreases over time. This is why it’s critical to get your booster shot. Boosters increase your protection from COVID-19, including against variants such as Omicron.

A recent study from the CDC showed that people who have completed the primary vaccination series with a booster dose had a 75% rate of protection against COVID-19, whereas people who were fully vaccinated without a booster dose had about a 35% rate of protection.

The CDC recently adjusted its recommended time for receiving the Pfizer and Moderna booster shots from six months to five months after completing the primary series. Primary and booster shots are available at numerous locations statewide, often without an appointment. Find a convenient location.

Once you have received your booster, please upload a photo of your vaccination card through Drake’s secure online form.

Reporting your vaccination helps to shape the University’s plans and decisions. Important to note: Those who report their boosters will be exempt from quarantine (in accordance with new CDC guidelines) if they are exposed to COVID-19 and not experiencing symptoms.

Booster shots will be key to our ability to enjoy a robust, in-person spring semester with all the traditions and activities we cherish. Please get your booster and report it as soon as possible.

Provost Sue Mattison sent a message to campus Jan. 11 announcing that the first two weeks of classes for the Spring 2022 semester will be held remotely. See highlights from her message below.

• Classes will begin Monday, Jan. 24, as scheduled, and the first two weeks of classes will be held remotely.  For Law students, classes begin on Tuesday, January 18, and will also be remote.  
• Based on current scientific evidence, cases are expected to peak in Iowa during the last week of January/first week of February.  This means the likelihood of extreme disruption to the classroom experience due to students in isolation and quarantine is very high.  

For students 

• Residence hall students may move in Jan. 22–23 as planned, although students are not required to return at this time. 
• Chief Student Affairs Officer Jerry Parker will share more information in the coming days regarding move-in details for residence hall students. Please watch your inbox.
• Students are strongly encouraged to administer a COVID-19 test at home prior to returning to campus. This could alleviate having to move to and from campus multiple times, and most importantly, exposing others.
• Students who participate in off-campus experiences such as student teaching, clinics, and practica must consult with their advisors and follow policies of their host institutions.  
• Law students will receive additional information on orientation to the Legal Clinic. 
• Many student activities and events will be postponed or held virtually during the first two weeks of the semester. This does not include athletic events. Chief Student Affairs Officer Jerry Parker will provide additional information to students later this week.

For faculty and staff

• Managers should consider allowing staff to work remotely during this time where practicable, but individual departments and managers will determine and communicate changes regarding remote work based on their departmental needs.
• Please watch for an update this week from Chief Administrative Officer Venessa Macro with more information.

For faculty 

• Information and resources on virtual teaching support will be sent from Deputy Provost Renee Cramer and Executive Director of Online Programming Christina Trombley.

The importance of getting and reporting your booster

• Emerging research shows that those who have been fully vaccinated—including a booster—have a much lower risk of severe illness compared to those who have not been vaccinated or who have not received a booster.
• Booster shots will be key to our ability to enjoy a robust, in-person spring semester with all the traditions and activities we cherish. 
• Once you have received your booster, please upload a photo of your vaccination card through Drake’s secure online form.
• Reporting your vaccination helps to shape our plans and decisions. Important to note: Those who report their boosters will be exempt from quarantine (in accordance with new CDC guidelines) if they are exposed to COVID-19 and not experiencing symptoms.