Remaining Optimistic and Staying Vigilant  

State and national health statistics continue to show very positive trends; we remain optimistic and vigilant. The New Jersey transmission rate remains below 1. We continue to monitor public and University health statistics, and government guidance.

You can read more at: Track COVID-19 in New Jersey: Maps, graphics, regular updates.

Federal and State Mandates for Contractors, Including Universities

Last week we reported on President Biden's Path out of the Pandemic: COVID 19 Action Plan and the COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors. We also provided information on Governor Murphy's Executive Order No. 271.

We have determined to apply the federal guidance to all University employees, including student workers, requiring they be fully vaccinated or declare a medical or religious exemption by December 8, 2021. The guidance requires we have specific forms of vaccine verification for those employees on file by December 8.

Beyond the application of the guidance, we will require all others (primarily students) to have additional verification on file at a later date, but prior to returning for the spring 2022 semester. This University-wide verification exceeds the federal guidance.

Ninety nine percent (99%) of employees, faculty, and adjunct faculty are vaccinated or declared an exemption. We are following up with the remaining few, some of whom just joined our community. Please note that Seton Hall has mandated COVID-19 vaccination since May 14, 2021 for all students, staff, faculty, and administrators with exemptions for religious and medical reasons.

We will provide specific details regarding your part in the verification process in an upcoming announcement.

Copying and Uploading Vaccine Information

All vaccinated members of the community should carry their vaccination card and/or take a picture of it with their mobile phone.

Students should upload their vaccination cards on the student Health Portal. 3,800 students have already uploaded their cards.

New Jersey residents can download and use the State-supported Docket app which provides digital access to COVID-19 immunization records.

University Update

• There were 2 new cases since last week’s report.
• As of October 25, the five-day moving average of positive cases is at .8.
• No (0%) on campus quarantine and isolation beds are occupied.
• There are 5 individuals in isolation. We continue to enlist the same comprehensive testing and contact tracing protocols that identified the rise in cases in mid-September.
• The entire campus community has a vaccination rate of 90.5% with 98% of those fully vaccinated. We are particularly grateful to our students, faculty, and staff for doing their part; through their efforts, we have a highly vaccinated University community.

This is all good news; however, with the holidays and colder weather we remain vigilant and prepared should cases rise.

Testing Available Through Health Services

The University is following CDC and State of New Jersey testing guidance, and Health Services has an ample amount of testing supplies. Students (vaccinated and unvaccinated) may request to be tested for COVID-19 as frequently as once per week.

You can learn more about testing availability off campus at: How To Get Tested For COVID-19 In New Jersey

Indoor Mask Requirement

As a reminder, all individuals (vaccinated and unvaccinated) are required to wear a mask at all indoor, nonresidential, on-campus University settings, except when alone or dining. Any change to the indoor mask mandate will be thoroughly communicated.

Your health and safety remain paramount in Seton Hall’s planning and actions. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please contact the HICT here.

Sincerely,

Matthew Borowick
Vice President of University Relations
Co-chair, Health Intervention and Communication Team

Monica N. Burnette, Ph.D.
Interim Vice President, Division of Student Services
Co-chair, Health Intervention and Communication Team

Categories: Campus Life, Health and Medicine, Nation and World