Fall 2022 COVID Guidelines
After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are beginning to move past the acute phase of the virus and are learning to live with COVID-19 as part of our reality. Our goal is to provide in-person education and a vibrant campus experience, and the plan for fall accounts for the changing nature of the virus.
Columbia College continues to encourage members of the campus community to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
Testing for COVID-19
- Students are encouraged to keep a supply of rapid antigen test kits on hand. Free antigen tests for personal use can be obtained from the federal government at covid.gov/tests.
- When possible, Student Health will offer testing for those with symptoms and those who have been exposed. Our supply of tests is limited, so in some cases students may be directed to another source for testing; such a scenario may come at additional expense to the student.
- Positive home tests should be reported both to Columbia College using the contact information below, and to Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services (or your local health department if not in Columbia, Missouri).
If you test positive for COVID-19
Notify Columbia College:
- Day and Evening Students – Please contact Student Health Services at (573) 875-7423 or COVIDreporting@ccis.edu.
- CCG Students – Please email COVID@ccis.edu.
- Faculty/Staff – Please contact Human Resources at (573) 875-7495 or COVIDreporting@ccis.edu.
Isolation Guidelines
- Regardless of vaccination status, students who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home/in their dorm room, notify Columbia College and isolate for five days. Return to class/work on day six (To calculate your five-day isolation period, Day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed). An isolation calculator is available on the CDC website.
- If you have an asymptomatic positive test, the day you test positive is considered Day 0.
- End isolation after five full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms have improved.
- Continue to wear a high-quality well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for five additional days (day six through day ten) after the end of your five-day isolation period.
- Upon notification, Columbia College will send an isolation instruction letter with isolation dates. Students may use their isolation instruction letter to present to faculty/instructors. If symptoms persist or worsen the isolation time period may change.
RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS
Students will need to work with Residence Life Staff to determine isolation housing. Isolation options may include:
- Return home for the duration of isolation and attend classes virtually;
- Isolation in place. Roommates of infected individuals may choose to relocate to temporary housing. Roommates should be aware of the risks of sharing living space with an infected individual. Roommates who choose to stay with an infected or exposed individual may be asked to sign an informed consent. Ultimately, Residence Life Staff working in conjunction with Student Health Services Staff will make the final determination about whether students are able to isolate in place.
Exposure Guidelines
- Students exposed to COVID 19, regardless of vaccination status, should wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask around others, this includes at home, indoors or in public for 10 days and get tested no earlier than five days after the last known exposure. If symptoms develop, stay home, notify Student Health Services and get tested.
- Students who are sick and suspect they may have COVID-19 but do not yet have a positive test should stay home, notify Student Health Services and consider serial testing every 36 hours while having symptoms.
- Students with ongoing household exposure regardless of vaccination status which includes roommates who choose to stay with an infected individual should wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask while around others. This includes at home, indoors or in public until 10 days after the infected individual’s isolation ends and get tested no sooner than five days after the end of isolation of the infected individual. If symptoms develop at any time, stay home, notify Student Health and get tested. For positive test results, follow isolation guidelines.