Dear Danforth Campus students, faculty and staff,
We hope the start of the spring semester is going well for you all. Even though this isn’t exactly how we planned to begin the new term, with online instruction and most of our students learning remotely, we’re grateful to you for making it work and doing what’s needed to help keep our community safe.
As we prepare to welcome our students back to campus for the start of in-person instruction, and given how quickly COVID-19 conditions and guidance are changing, we wanted to share a few important updates and reminders. While we remain hopeful that the situation will improve as the semester progresses, at this time we feel it’s necessary to take a somewhat cautious approach at first. Current Danforth Campus protocols are as follows.
Updated masking guidance
The CDC recommends that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well (snugly over your nose and mouth) and that you will wear consistently. Students, faculty, staff and visitors may continue to wear well-fitted cloth masks made of multiple layers. However, we strongly encourage the use of 3-ply disposable isolation masks that meet ASTM Level 1 or higher protection standards as they offer enhanced protection from COVID-19. To assist those who do not have access to this type of mask, the university will provide them at numerous locations on the Danforth Campus. For more information, visit the Danforth Campus mask requirements page.
Events, meetings and gatherings
Essential in-person meetings that only include Washington University students, faculty and staff are allowed. If indoors, masks must be worn by everyone in attendance at all times, with no food or drink served, and there must be sufficient space available to avoid crowding. Outdoor events are strongly encouraged, as weather permits. Safety protocols for Kemper Museum, Edison Theatre and 560 Music Center remain in effect. We continue to monitor conditions and will adjust this guidance as the situation improves.
Public health guidance
The following requirements remain in effect:
- Masks are required at indoor gatherings for everyone, regardless of vaccination status or the size of a meeting or gathering.
- At this time, physical distancing is not required in most settings, but strongly encouraged for individuals who are not fully vaccinated.
- All students, faculty, staff, trainees and visitors are required to complete a daily self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms before coming to campus or leaving their on-campus residence. Anyone with symptoms should not come to campus or leave their room. The screening tool is available at screening.wustl.edu.
- All students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to receive a COVID-19 booster shot if they are eligible to receive one. Booster clinics are being held on the Danforth Campus through February 11. Click here to schedule an appointment.
- Visit the Health & Safety page on the WashU Together website for additional details on these requirements.
Surveillance testing
We will continue to require regular surveillance testing for members of our university community who are not fully vaccinated and have an official exemption from the university’s vaccination requirement. We also will continue to provide free diagnostic testing to all students, faculty and staff who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Call the COVID Call Center at 314-362-5056 for guidance.
Remote work
The Flexible Work Arrangement Policy remains in effect. More information for employees is available in the Workplace Hub on the Human Resources website and in the COVID-19 HR Support Hub.
For additional details about the spring semester, see the Plan for 2021-2022. If you have questions, there are a number of online resources available, including several FAQ pages on the WashU Together website. If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for there, you can send an email to covidquestions@wustl.edu and our team will try to assist.
Once again, we want to express our gratitude to you for your continued patience, support and hard work. We’re looking forward to having our students on campus again soon so we can resume the spring semester together.
Sincerely,
Andrew D. Martin
Chancellor
Shantay N. Bolton
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer
Anna “Dr. G” Gonzalez
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Beverly Wendland
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs