Fall 2021: BW Be Safe

COVID-19 Preparedness Information

Posted July 21, 2021

Baldwin Wallace continues to be informed by the latest science, public health guidance and knowledge from our campus community. BW offers a college experience designed to keep everyone as safe as possible and ensure that students have access to a quality education that will help move them toward the achievement of their professional and personal goals.

Fall Classes

Most classes will be taught in person, while some courses are offered fully online. All classes previously specified as partially remote will now be fully in person. All fully remote classes will remain fully remote. Students who have already scheduled a class with a specific format and wish to change their selection should complete this form.

Classrooms will continue to be cleaned regularly, and high-contact surfaces will be sanitized frequently. Additionally, enhanced air filtration and air-quality monitoring systems have been installed in learning and performance spaces across campus.

New health protocols effective immediately

• Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear face coverings on campus except at the BW Health Center and Speech Clinic. Face coverings are recommended indoors for all people who are not fully vaccinated. Additionally, face coverings are required for everyone traveling in a BW vehicle.
• BW will no longer require physical distancing on campus.
• Athletes will be subject to additional health protocols as outlined by the NCAA and OAC.
• Students participating in off-campus clinicals, off-campus experiential education, service trips or competitions will be required to follow the host site's health protocols.

Additions or changes to protocols will be announced by university administration as needed.

Get Vaccinated

Remember, the best way to have the ultimate BW experience is to get vaccinated against COVID-19. We strongly recommend all members of our university community get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine is the single most effective way to protect our community as we return to full in-person experiences.

All university students, faculty and staff are eligible to receive a vaccine at the BW Health Center or at retailers within walking distance from campus. Call the Health Center at (440) 826-2178 to schedule a vaccination appointment. Remember, you are not fully vaccinated until two weeks after your final dose of the vaccine.

Share Your Vaccination Record

In accordance with community health standards, we have opened a portal that allows you to register the status of your various vaccinations, including COVID-19. We strongly encourage you to register your vaccination status.

There are several good reasons to share your vaccination information. In the event that the University needs to restart COVID-19 surveillance testing, conduct contact tracing or implement other protocols, individuals at greatest risk can be addressed directly while those who are vaccinated can be waived from specific COVID-19 protocols. Currently, the NCAA indicates that schools with 85% or greater campus vaccination rates are exempt from athlete COVID-19 protocols. This high rate of vaccination would help to ensure that ALL students will have a safe and fulfilling year.

And you could win! All members of the BW community who register their vaccination status will be included in a drawing to win gift cards and/or prizes valued up to $750. See drawing and prize details.

High Vaccine Adoption Rate on Campus

As COVID protocols change, it is good to see a high adoption of the vaccine in the BW community. 75% of faculty and staff responded to the recent voluntary survey, and more than 90% indicated they either are or will be fully vaccinated by August 1. Additionally, 60% of students responded, and 83% of returning students indicated they will be fully vaccinated by August 1.

Yellow Jackets Care for Each Other

At BW, we respect those who choose to wear a mask or may need to wear a mask. Not every member of our community is re-acclimating to in-person life at the same pace and may need more space. We ask that everyone please practice our core values of kindness and respect in all we do. Be mindful of others' feelings and respect their concerns.

For anyone who needs help dealing with stress or anxiety, BW counseling and health care resources are available. All students have access to free, 24-hour telecare for counseling and health services through the JacketCare app. Register for JacketCare.

BW Supports the Health of Campus Community Members

BW is ready to assist any student, faculty or staff member in the event they become ill or show symptoms of COVID-19. BinaxNOW rapid COVID-19 tests are available at many locations across campus and to all members of the BW community. Members of the BW community can self-administer these tests and get immediate results. Or, if preferred, nurses at BW's Health Center can administer rapid antigen or PCR COVID-19 tests.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, BW Health Services and Residence Life staff stand ready to provide the health care direction needed based on an individual student's needs. Contact tracing, isolation accommodations, health check-ins for students who are unable to return home during recovery and remote instruction protocols are all in place to support the health of the student and community when needed.

In addition, BW is prepared to implement campus wide protocols to remediate outbreaks when needed. The protocols we've implemented in the past year remain available to us as ways to contain and reduce the spread of the virus.

BW COVID-19 24/7 Helpline: (440) 826-7787

The BW COVID-19 Response Team has a helpline — (440) 826-7787 — for students who need to report a positive COVID-19 test result or are isolated or quarantined to easily connect with available campus services (residence life, dining services, academic office, counseling center, health center) while they are sheltered.