Thursday, March 25, 2021
Dear Students,
The spring holiday recess is approaching and classes will not be held on Thursday, April 1 and Friday, April 2. As you plan for the break, we would like to announce added testing opportunities and remind you of general safety guidelines.
Travel Guidance
Those of you who live on campus may be planning to return home during the break. It is important to note that travel increases your chance of spreading and contracting COVID-19. Though travel is not prohibited, it is recommended that you avoid it as a means of protecting yourself and others.
If you must travel, you should first consult with the family and friends with whom you reside. If high-risk individuals live at your permanent address, you should remain on campus. Residence halls and dining facilities will remain open through the recess.
You should also consult with your individual state guidelines as additional testing or quarantine may be required in your home state. Though the Pennsylvania travel advisory was lifted this month, each state has their own requirements. If you are traveling by air, it is important to remember that all air passengers traveling to and throughout the United States are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight.
In general, avoid any travel that may compromise your health or the health of your loved ones, and avoid any activities that may interrupt your studies during the final weeks of the semester.
Testing Opportunities
Assurance testing before the break will be available for anyone who opts for it on Monday, March 29, Tuesday March 30 and Wednesday, March 31. Testing will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second floor of the Marts Center.
All residential students are required to be tested after the break from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8 on the second floor of the Marts Center. This includes residential students who have received all doses of their vaccine. Residential students who had COVID-19 within the last 90 days will not need to be tested. Any other students, faculty and staff are also welcome to be tested during these times. Before, during and after the break, student-athletes should continue to report to the testing center on the first floor of Marts as scheduled, per NCAA protocols.
Please bring your Wilkes ID and wear your face mask. Nothing further is required. Only those who test positive will be contacted by the University, generally within an hour of testing.
After the holiday recess, just six weeks of classes remain in the spring semester. This is a very special time for all of you, but particularly our graduating students who will soon conclude their time at Wilkes. Please do everything you can to stay healthy and make smart decisions. You all deserve to conclude the semester as safely as possible. And our graduating students deserve to conclude it without interruption to their Commencement activities.
Most sincerely,
COVID-19 Task Force and Daily Response Team