The University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus will maintain its vaccination and face covering policies, along with other COVID-19 prevention measures recommended by the COVID-19 Campus Health Response Committee, to support a vibrant campus experience for the fall 2022 term.
Plans for the Dearborn and Flint campuses will be shared at a later date.
MORE INFORMATION
Under the U-M vaccination policy, all students, faculty and staff on the Ann Arbor campus are required to be up to date on their vaccinations by completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series and one booster with limited exemptions. Wearing a mask is also required while in patient care areas and at U-M COVID-19 testing sites but is optional elsewhere on campus.
“We are planning for a vibrant campus experience that is supported by the high vaccination rate of our campus community,” said Robert Ernst, associate vice president of student life and director of Campus COVID Response, and Preeti Malani, chief health officer, in an email to the campus community June 21.
“Our data shows that the majority of COVID-19 infections among our community this past academic year presented as either having mild or no symptoms at all.”
Separate from the email, Provost Laurie McCauley shared an update on fall class formats.
“We are excited to welcome back the entire university community for a fully residential experience for fall 2022. We recognize and embrace the important role of technology, in the classroom and for other academic activities, to augment the learning experience and to address accessibility needs, consistent with pedagogical and programmatic needs,” McCauley wrote.
CHRC recommendations for masking for most indoor spaces on campus, including instructional spaces, will be aligned with the CDC’s COVID-19 community risk level for Washtenaw County. Currently, the COVID-19 community level for Washtenaw County is “medium,” and it is recommended masking decisions be based on an individual’s personal risk.
Testing for asymptomatic COVID-19 will remain available through the Community Tracking and Sampling Program for those who are required to test weekly or who are interested in testing. Those who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations are required to test weekly.
ResponsiBLUE, the daily symptom checker, will continue to be the personal tool to track compliance with the university’s vaccination policy and other COVID requirements.
All members of the U-M community coming to campus are encouraged to use ResponsiBLUE — as it will continue to be required to access certain buildings — and seek appropriate care and testing if they have symptoms.
Individuals are expected to stay home if they are sick with support from their peers, supervisors and instructors. This helps reduce the likelihood of spreading a range of infections, including COVID-19, influenza and other illnesses.
University Health Service has treatment options for those who become infected with COVID-19 and are at high risk for complications of COVID-19.
Isolation housing will remain available and will be prioritized for use by students with a residence hall contract. Students who live off campus should evaluate their options for isolation in their current space or identify their own isolation spaces. All students should have an isolation back-up plan in case isolation housing on campus is full.
