Campus mitigation protocols are fluid and will be based on several factors:

• Recommendations by the CDC, MDHHS, and/or Berrien County Health Department
• Community/local and campus transmission data and best practices

Individual protocols should also be based on individual risk factors. The University is not mandating vaccination for COVID-19. 

We will continue to review the factors and impacts on protocol. Changes will be announced as needed.

The campus protocols are available in the following sections:

• Self-Report Vaccinations
• Self-Report Acquired Immunity
• Community Covenant of Care
• Events & Campus Guests
• Masking/Physical Distancing
• Symptom Monitoring
• Residence Hall Isolation Guidelines

Andrews University encourages employees and students to self-report receiving a vaccination. Information can be submitted through this dedicated Banner page.

The data helps the University understand the potential impact of vaccinations on campus, including which areas may still be at risk and quantities that could be factored into future vaccine options.

Please review additional information on COVID-19 vaccinations from Spectrum Health Lakeland here and from the Berrien County Health Department here.

Andrews University considers those who previously tested positive for COVID-19 and completed isolation to have met the University’s standards for “acquired immunity” status.

Employees or students who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 but have not been vaccinated can self-report those details, including the date (or approximate date) of a positive COVID-19 test, through this dedicated Banner page.

While it is not possible to eliminate the risk of COVID-19 infection completely (see Statement of Responsibility), each one of us as students, faculty and staff must continue to take personal, significant and important steps to help stop the risk and spread of COVID-19 infection by persistently protecting and caring for our own and others’ health and safety.

That expectation of care is detailed in the University’s Community Covenant of Care (updated for fall 2022). All members of our on-campus community are expected to follow the Covenant of Care.

Campus events and guests do not have unique COVID-19 related requirements.

Individuals should follow best practices, including staying home if they are sick. 

Masks are optional throughout the entire campus.

Please note that if a faculty, staff member or student feels uncomfortable or unsafe when interacting with students and others in a classroom or another small space on campus (or for an extended trip in a University vehicle off campus), then those individuals do have the right to ask that a mask be worn by others in those spaces, but those individuals may not mandate mask usage.

Timeframe: Protocols will remain in place and will be reviewed for any changes.

In addition to the availability of approved vaccines and COVID-19 safety protocols—physical distancing, good hygiene and wearing a face mask (optional)—we also encourage you to enhance your wellness by taking day-to-day actions that can make a difference. Read more here.

Individuals should assess their symptoms and exposures every day before accessing the campus.

This self-assessment should include:

• Screening for symptoms:
  • Acute loss of taste or smell
  • New and/or unexplained cough/sore throat/congestion or runny nose
  • New and/or unexplained digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain
  • New and/or unexplained fatigue, muscle or body aches
  • Fever/chills (100.4 or higher)
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Screening for exposure
  • Close contact with a confirmed/probable COVID-19 case

Individuals should report any symptoms, exposures, or positive tests through an online, Google-based form that will be submitted to Student Life or Human Resources as appropriate. The campus is not required to submit a daily report of “No symptoms”. Individuals who are experiencing vaccine related symptoms within 72hours of receiving a vaccine dose do not need to report the symptoms.

More information on symptom monitoring and case management guidelines is available through the MDHHS.

For residence hall students, you should request help in arranging an isolation space by using this Google form. If it is before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., you should plan to remain in your current residence hall room, with the exception of seeking medical care, getting takeout meals, or using the restroom, making sure to minimize your contact with others until an isolation space is assigned to you by Guest, Conventions & Event Scheduling Services.

Residence hall students who are unable to personally access the Terrace Café or Gazebo should make arrangements for a friend to get takeout meals. However, if you can’t find a friend to help, you can also choose to mask up, with fully sanitized hands, and visit Dining Services during off-peak times to get your own takeout meal at the Terrace Café or Gazebo. Please note: If you are isolating, your takeout meal must be consumed in the location where you are self-isolating.

Residence hall students may also call Dining Services to learn of any additional options. If you have any questions, please contact them directly at 269-471-3161 or by email at this link. 

The COVID-19 situation remains fluid and therefore it will require flexiblity on the part of the instructor and the students. With that in mind, communication is key for a successful semester.

Students, please be in contact with your instructor if any situation arises that might interfere with your class attendance and learning.  Your instructor will be committed to doing the same the same.

Additionally, we ask the following from students:

1. If you are exhibiting symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or other illness, please do not plan to attend class in person. Instead, reach out to your instructor immediately to work out the details on how you can continue learning when you are not physically attending the course.
2. If this course has an online learning option, please follow your teachers' instructions and policies for camera, microphone, and software use so you can continue to attend/participate online.
3. Students in this, or any Andrews University course, fully commit to creating a safe classroom environment which means no posting of class materials (including links to unlisted videos or clips of videos removed from their original classrom context) to social media or other forums. Likewise, in all cases, Christian ethics and the values of Andrews University rule out disparaging faculty and classmates on social media or in virtual spaces.
4. Please note that your course instructor or an instructor's family member may be affected by ongoing COVID-19 challenges. As a result, we are also asking for your understanding and flexibility if your classes need to be disrupted, adapted, or modified due to those factors.
    

Please note:  These statistics reflects self-reported symptoms, probable or positive COVID-19 cases during Spring Semester 2023. For comparison with previous COVID-19 case trends on the Berrien Springs campus of Andrews University, our average number of cases averaged 70 new COVID-19 cases each week at the peak of the Omicron wave/surge last year, during Spring Semester 2022.