COVID-19 Center

Current Status

last updated: 7/29/21

Updated Guidance for Mask Wearing: On July 27, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) revised its guidance on mask wearing to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others. The CDC now recommends that all persons, whether fully vaccinated or not, wear a mask indoors in public if located in an area of substantial or high transmission. Currently, Rhode Island and Charlotte are both areas of substantial or high transmission, but that is subject to changes as circumstances evolve. All persons should continue to wear a mask where required by laws, rules, regulations, or local guidance.

Faculty and Staff Vaccination Requirement: To create a safer, healthier campus environment for all, the university is now requiring all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated. Faculty and staff must have received at least one dose of the vaccine by August 30, the first day of classes, and must have received all manufacturer-recommended doses of the vaccine by September 30. Faculty and staff will be required to provide Human Resources with a copy of their vaccination card. Faculty and staff who work fully remote and do not come to campus are not required to be vaccinated but are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.

Student Vaccination Requirement: After careful consultation with government and public health officials, the university will require that all students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (i.e., that students have received one or two doses of the vaccine, in accordance with the number of doses recommended by the manufacturer) prior to their arrival to campus for the 2021 fall semester. Students are asked to upload into their electronic medical record (through the Medicat Student Patient Portal) confirmation of their COVID-19 vaccination (excluding any medical information other than evidence of their vaccination). For tracking purposes, COVID-19 Vaccine Holds will become active on July 14, 2021 for students who have not satisfied the vaccine requirement. Students are asked to provide proof of vaccination by no later than August 6, 2021.

Students requesting an exemption from this requirement for medical, religious or other reasons must complete and submit the form located on the Medicat Student Patient Portal: jwu.medicatconnect.com. Students enrolled in online degree programs and individuals participating in online-only continuing education programs will not be required to be vaccinated unless they come to campus to visit (for instance, to use the dining, library, fitness center, and other facilities.)

REMINDER: Each day, all faculty, staff and students reporting to campus are required to screen their current health conditions by answering the daily COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire, which can be accessed in the JWU Mobile app, jwuLink, or HRpulse. If you receive a green check mark, you will be cleared to be on campus. Students should be prepared to present results from their daily COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire upon request. If a faculty or staff member receives a red check mark, they will need to consult their health care provider and notify their supervisor. Students who receive a red check mark are asked to reach out Health Services to determine their next steps.

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Information For Me

Students

JWU continues to actively monitor the COVID-19 pandemic as the university works to maintain the student experience.

Parents

During this rapidly evolving situation, the guidance the university has been receiving from federal and local governments has been continuously updated.

Faculty

JWU is committed to sharing the changing guidance it receives from federal, state and local officials with faculty as they prepare for and execute classwork during the semester

Staff

The university continues to receive guidance and updates from federal, state and local officials, which in turn impacts our decisions & campus operations.

Health & Safety

Johnson & Wales University remains committed to mitigating the risks of COVID-19 and maintaining a positive campus community and online environment for living, learning and working.

Learn More About Health & Safety

Support The Overall Well-being of JWU Campuses

All JWU community members must follow these guidelines each and every day.

Read the COVID-19 Conduct Protocol

COVID-19 Updates By Campus

Providence

Charlotte

“We have found many creative and fun ways to stay connected and engaged ... Let’s do our part to keep our campuses open and keep each other safe.”

- Chancellor Mim L. Runey, LP.D.

Read the Chancellor’s Message

Universitywide FAQs

What is the guidance for wearing a mask while on campus?

All JWU staff, faculty and students who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (have received one or two doses of the vaccine, in accordance with the number of doses recommended by the manufacturer and 14 days have passed since the final dose) are no longer required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors on campus; however, all passengers and drivers of Wildcat Wheels, the campus’ bus transportation system, are required to wear masks regardless of their COVID vaccination status.

For those who are fully vaccinated and feel more comfortable wearing a mask, we encourage them to continue to do so.

The mask wearing requirement indoors on campus remains in place for those who are not fully vaccinated or have chosen not to be vaccinated.

Why has the university decided to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students?

After careful consultation with government and public health officials, the university will require that all students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to their arrival to campus for the 2021 fall semester.

Adding the COVID-19 vaccination to our student immunization requirements will aid our efforts to provide a safer and more robust college experience for our entire JWU community. Moreover, students who are vaccinated will not need to adhere to the extensive quarantine protocols that have been in place. Through widespread vaccination, we can accelerate the return to a more traditional college experience, including seamless delivery of in-person courses, attending athletic games, more on-campus events and activities, and the resumption of our on-campus visitor and guest policy.

How can students provide proof of vaccination to the university?

Students are required to upload their medical record verifying their COVID-19 vaccination into the Medicat Student Patient Portal. The university will not accept student vaccination records via email.

To upload medical records verifying COVID-19 vaccinations, visit jwu.medicatconnect.com and follow these steps:

Enter your JWU log in
Once the portal is open, click Upload
Select 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid 19), NAA (Third Party) from the drop down menu
To upload take a photo or screenshot of your vaccination card with your phone, email that to yourself, open your email up on your computer, then you can drag/drop or browse for the file that you would then upload to the portal.

JWU asks that students provide proof of vaccination by no later than August 6, 2021.

Are students able to request an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine requirement?

Students may request an exemption from this requirement for medical, religious or other reasons. Students are able to complete the attestation form directly on the Medicat webpage: jwu.medicatconnect.com when they log in. Look for the COVID Vaccine exemption form.

Students should allow one week to receive confirmation of their exemption or full vaccination status and should continue to monitor their JWU email.

What happens if a student arrives to campus this fall without being vaccinated and without requesting an exemption?

The student would be advised to complete the exemption form on the Medicat webpage: jwu.medicatconnect.com or schedule a vaccination appointment, providing proof when they receive their shot(s). Students in this instance would have a temporary hold on their account during the university’s consideration of the exemption request or until proof of compliance is entered into the student’s Medicat account.

For tracking purposes. COVID-19 Vaccination Holds will become active on July 14, 2021 for students who have not satisfied the vaccine requirement.