As FYI, the following message was shared with our students on Wednesday.

Continue to adhere to our COVID-19 mitigation strategies and have a healthy and successful spring semester.

From: President’s Office
Subject: Spring 2022 COVID-19 Guidelines

As the Spring 2022 semester begins, Truman will return under the same guidelines that were in place during Fall 2021. Given the minimal risk of COVID-19 transmission in the classroom, we believe we can safely return to campus by adhering to our mitigation strategies.

The indoor mask policy remains in effect, but due to the Omicron variant’s increased infectiousness, you are encouraged to upgrade your cloth masks by adding a filter and/or adding a surgical mask underneath your cloth mask to enhance protection.  More protective options include KN95 masks and N95 masks.

It is essential to practice multiple mitigation methods, including social distancing and frequent hand washing. Consider limiting gatherings during the first few weeks back to campus.

These precautions continue to be necessary given the rise in cases due to the Omicron variant and have proven to be very effective for Truman to this point. The next review of the mask policy will take place on or before January 28.

It is anticipated that some students may be unable to return to campus safely due to exposure or illness while on break. Truman will continue to be flexible and understanding if students need to be absent to ensure their own health and the health of others. Anyone feeling ill or with recent exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should stay home and take the proper precautions. Students who are in quarantine or isolation should notify their instructors and report their case to the Student Health Center at (660) 785-4182 or studenthealth@cfmcares.com. We strongly recommend that, regardless of symptoms, students who have been isolating or quarantining get tested before returning to campus.

If you are six months past the last dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months past the last dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, we strongly encourage you to get a booster shot. If you are unvaccinated, now would be a very good time to start getting vaccinated.

In accordance with updated CDC guidelines, the University is changing the time for isolation and quarantine to a minimum of five days. Students will be provided with a KN95 mask to wear after release from isolation and quarantine.

Isolation: Everyone who has presumed or confirmed COVID-19 should stay home and isolate from other people for at least five full days (day 0 is the first day of symptoms or the date of the day of the positive viral test for asymptomatic persons). They should wear a well-fitting mask when around others for an additional five days. People who are confirmed to have COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19 need to isolate regardless of their vaccination status.

Quarantine: Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, including boosters, who come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 must quarantine for five days and wear a well-fitting mask for an additional five days to minimize the risk of infecting others. Individuals who have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters, are not required to quarantine. They should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of their last close contact with someone with COVID-19.

Decisions regarding the University’s COVID-19 policies are made by the President in consultation with the Executive Leadership Team. Factors taken into consideration include, but are not limited to: the number of active cases related to the University; the transmission rate in Adair County; the campus vaccination rate; Truman’s capacity to effectively accommodate students in isolation and quarantine; guidance of the CDC and the local health department; and the advice of Faculty Senate, Staff Council and Student Government.