RADFORD – With the Spring 2022 semester set to begin next week, the university has announced it will
require COVID booster shots.
Radford University Interim President Carolyn Ringer Lepre, Ph.D., announced the measure in a message
to the campus community.
Dear Highlander Family:
As we usher in a new year, I hope each of you enjoyed a safe and healthy break and I look forward to
being together again during the Spring 2022 semester.
As you and other members of our community return to campus, the health and well-being of the Radford
University family remains our central focus. In doing so, some initiatives are necessary for us as a
University; however, much of our progress rests in the hands of each individual as we continue to
navigate the global health pandemic. Since releasing the Spring 2022 Operational Plan in October, there
have been a number of developments, such as Omicron, the latest variant that is the predominant strain of
the virus, and the CDC updated guidance for isolation and quarantine.
As you may be aware, college campuses around the country, as well as here in Virginia, are having to
reexamine best practices for remaining healthy while continuing the important mission of teaching and
learning.
In preparation for the Spring 2022 semester, the Radford University’s COVID-19 Working Group is
providing revised recommendations related to health and safety protocols for our community. The
information outlined below updates and supplements the Spring 2022 Operational Plan.
Spring 2022 Operational Plan Updates
The spring semester will start as planned with the first day of classes on January 18, 2022. University
owned and operated housing reopens on January 13, 2022 for students to return during their chosen
appointment time. To balance density, appointments can still be scheduled through the housing portal in
OneCampus.
Students who are sick or experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms should stay home until symptoms
resolve, a negative COVID-19 test result is received and/or are cleared by a healthcare provider. The
Dean of Students Office will assist students with late arrival needs.
Vaccine/Booster
Vaccination remains the most effective tool to combat COVID-19. The CDC recommends COVID-19
booster shots at two to six months after the initial vaccine series completion, depending upon type of
vaccine received (five months after Pfizer, six months after Moderna and two months after J&J).
Effective immediately, Radford University is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine mandate to include the
requirement of booster shots for students within fourteen (14) days of eligibility. Fully vaccinated
students currently at or beyond the booster eligibility window must provide documentation of receiving
the booster by no later than February 15, 2022. Students not yet eligible to receive a booster must do so
and provide documentation within fourteen (14) days of eligibility. Documentation of the COVID-19
booster can be uploaded through the secure Medicat portal. Students enrolled in a fully online program
with no in-person engagement or physical presence on campus remain exempt from the vaccine and
booster requirement, as do students previously receiving a medical or religious exemption for the
COVID-19 vaccine. Eligible students that do not provide documentation of being boosted by the February
15, 2022 deadline or within fourteen (14) days of booster eligibility may be required to participate in
weekly COVID-19 testing and may not be eligible to register for future semesters.
Faculty and staff are also required to disclose their booster status within fourteen (14) days of eligibility.
Fully vaccinated faculty and staff at or beyond the booster eligibility window must disclose their status,
using the Employee COVID Booster Submission Form no later than February 15, 2022. Employees not
yet eligible to receive a booster must do so and provide documentation within fourteen (14) days of
eligibility. Eligible employees that do not provide documentation of being boosted by the Feb. 15, 2022
deadline or within fourteen (14) days of booster eligibility may be required to participate in COVID-19
testing.
Boosters will be available, at no cost, to interested students, faculty, staff or contractors during entry
testing on main campus, January 13-16, 2022 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Boosters will be available, at no
cost, to interested students, faculty, staff or contractors at RUC on Jan. 21, 2022. Time and location will
be provided. Additional booster clinics will be scheduled at both locations.
Isolation and Quarantine
The University currently uses a ten (10) day period of isolation and quarantine and will continue to do so.
The updated CDC guidance related to isolation and quarantine provides options to shorten either period.
The updated guidance also expands quarantine to include vaccinated individuals who have a known
exposure and are eligible for the booster but have not yet received it. When circumstances are appropriate,
the University may apply these shortened time frames for isolation and quarantine followed by a period of
strict wearing of a well-fitted face mask.
Masking
The Omicron variant is highly transmissible, more so than the virus and previous variants. The existing
indoor masking requirement, regardless of vaccination status, will remain in effect. Students living in
residence halls will be required to wear a well-fitted face mask when in hallways, lounges, kitchens or
other common spaces other than the assigned room.
The University’s Spring 2022 Operational Plan discusses health and safety protocols that have not been
updated or modified. The University will continue to monitor this endemic phase of COVID-19, evaluate
and adjust when or as appropriate.
Let’s continue our unwavering commitment to the health and safety of each other in addition to ourselves.
This is so important as it supports who we are as Highlanders and the progress we will make together.
– Carolyn Ringer Lepre, Ph.D., Radford University Interim President