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BW COVID-19 Policies for Fall 2022
Updated July 22, 2022
Thank you to the BW community for your efforts during the years of this pandemic and to the BW Health Advisory Committee, which works tirelessly to safeguard our campus. BW will continue to emphasize numerous campus health measures and community protocols that, taken together, create a safer environment for our community.
- Campus Status on COVID-19
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- COVID-19 vaccination rate on campus is high. More than 75% of BW students and employees are vaccinated.
- COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots are available for free at the BW Health Center. Call (440) 826-2178 to make an appointment.
- COVID-19 BinaxNow home self-tests are available for free to all students, faculty and staff at the BW Health Center, Strosacker Union welcome desk and Lou Higgins Recreation Center welcome desk.
- KN95 masks are available for free for all students, faculty and staff at the BW Health Center, Strosacker Union Welcome Desk and Lou Higgins Recreation Center welcome desk.
- COVID-19 Support Services, including isolation protocols, remain in place to mitigate community spread and support student needs.
- COVID-19 vaccination is included in the list of recommended vaccinations for students attending Baldwin Wallace University and part of the new student onboarding forms.
- The COVID-19 Health Advisory Committee continues to monitor CDC health guidelines and the prevalence of COVID-19 cases on our campus.
Mask Optional
Masks are not required in public or indoor spaces like classrooms, common areas or at BW events. While masks are not required indoors, all community members are welcome to wear a mask. Masks are required in the BW Health Center and BW Speech Clinic.
Get Vaccinated
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 and receive their booster shots. The COVID-19 vaccine is the single most effective way to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19.
- On-Campus Vaccinations and Boosters
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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 BW Health Center at (440) 826-2178 to schedule a vaccination appointment. Bring your picture ID for vaccinations and boosters and your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card for boosters. Current CDC guidelines consider a person fully vaccinated two weeks after completing the vaccine.
BW offers the Moderna vaccine and booster (2 shots, 1 month apart). Visit the CDC website for frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccination.
- Off-Campus Access to Vaccinations and Boosters
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Local pharmacies, some grocery stores and local health systems offer booster appointments simply by scheduling a convenient time online:
BW Health Protocols
- Current Health Protocols
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- COVID-19 testing will continue to be available at the BW Health Center for symptomatic or close contact and as needed.
- If you feel ill at any point during the semester, do not attend class. Please pick up a free COVID-19 test at the BW Health Center, Strosacker Union welcome desk and Lou Higgins Recreation Center welcome desk.
- Athletes will be subject to additional health protocols as outlined by the NCAA and OAC. Additionally, some performance-based programs (theatre, etc.) may implement regular testing of students participating in performance-based sessions.
- 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. (link to vaccination / exclusion forms)
- Additions or changes to protocols will be announced by university administration as needed.
In the Event of Positive Test Results
- Isolation Protocols
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If a student tests positive for COVID-19, BW Health Services and Residence Life staff are ready to provide the health care direction needed based on an individual student's needs. Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be advised to isolate at home, if possible. BW offers limited availability to isolation space on campus. 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.
Positive students who are unable to go home may be required to isolate in their assigned residence hall room. Remote learning, food delivery and additional support services will be provided. Based on current CDC guidelines, isolation will be for 5 days minimum, followed by strict masking for an additional 5 days.
BW is ready to assist any student, faculty or staff member in the event they become ill or show symptoms of COVID-19. BinaxNow home self-tests are available to all members of the BW community at many locations across campus. Members of the BW community can self-administer these tests and get immediate results. Or, if preferred, nurses at the BW Health Center can administer rapid antigen or PCR COVID-19 tests.
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.
Yellow Jackets Care for Each Other
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.
Travel and Study Abroad
BW Day and Overnight Travel and Study Abroad Policy
BW has resumed all student travel opportunities including day, overnight and study abroad trips as part of experiential education at BW. In accordance with CDC recommendations, individuals who are not fully vaccinated may be subject to pre- or post-travel COVID-19 testing. BW values the partnerships we have with our travel destinations, in respect of those locations, additional protocols may be required as outlined by those partner destinations.
Specific Travel Situations and Protocols
- International Study and International Students Visiting BW
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- International students visiting BW will be tested prior to travel to the U.S. and then again upon arrival. Upon arrival, international students will be required to quarantine for a period of 10 days before participating in campus activities.
- BW students in Study Abroad programs will be required to sign a waiver based on country of travel requirements and accept the risks of travel abroad and expected to follow protocols set forth by the host destination and following foreign country requirements, including vaccination.
- Day or Overnight Domestic Travel
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- BW van day trips: Face masks are not required. There is no distancing requirement.
- BW van overnight trips: Face masks are not required. There is not distancing requirement. Non-vaccinated individuals are required to complete a COVID-19 test 1-3 days prior to the trip, and 3-5 days after the trip. Persons with positive test results are required to report those results to the BW Health Center or to the BW COVID Response Team Helpline (440-826-7787) and isolate for 10 days. Isolation orders will be issued by the Health Center or one of BW's certified contact tracers.
- Do NOT travel if you were exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, you tested positive for COVID-19, or you are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. Don't travel with someone who is sick.
- Athletic Travel
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Currently, all BW student-athletes are subject to NCAA and OAC rules for safe travel to competition. COVID-19 testing, rules and guidelines will be provided through team leaders.
- Center for Global Exploration
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Students can schedule in-person appointments following campus health safety guidelines. Virtual appointments will remain available as well.
- Phone: (440) 826-2231
- Email: explore@bw.edu
- Web: bw.edu/explorations
- Book an appointment: https://tinyurl.com/explorationsadvising
If you are interested in applying to study abroad, the list of programs and links to the online application can be found on the study abroad website.
Conservatory Students
- COVID-19 Protocols for Conservatory Students
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Booster Shots
Everyone in the Conservatory is eligible and encouraged to get a booster shot if they have been previously fully vaccinated. BW offers walk-in vaccine and booster shots at the BW Health Center (440) 826-2178.
Testing
COVID-19 home self-tests are available at the BW Health Center, Strosacker Union welcome desk and Lou Higgins Recreation Center welcome desk.
Masking
Public spaces in the Conservatory (libraries, hallways, lobbies, etc.) are mask optional. Private lessons, rehearsals with accompanists, solo performances and individual practice are also mask optional. All group singing in classes and ensembles will remain masked, preferably with N95, KF94 or KN95 masks. KN95 masks are available at the BW Health Center, Strosacker Union Welcome Desk and the Rec Center Welcome Desk.
Remote Instruction of Masking for Symptomatic Individuals
Individuals who come into close contact with COVID-19-positive individuals must comply with health recommendations for quarantining and/or isolation. Any symptomatic individuals in the Conservatory must mask and/or work remotely — including classes, lessons, rehearsals and performances. Communicate clearly and promptly if you are unable to participate in person. Public performances rely on a shared safety commitment from all involved. If one person in a performance attends a rehearsal or class while symptomatic, it puts the entire class, ensemble or cast at risk.
What to do if you Become Ill
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in direct contact with another individual who has COVID-19, please contact the BW Health Center at (440) 826-2178 for guidance. Notify your instructor, work supervisor or department chair that you are ill.
Outside Visitors and Audiences
All visitors must follow Conservatory protocols. While audiences at public performances are mask optional, all visitors are encouraged to be vaccinated and boosted.
Counseling
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.
Questions
Questions about these protocols can be directed to Dean Susan Van Vorst at (440) 826-2362 or Associate Dean Beth Hiser at (440) 826-2373.
BW Health Committee
- About the Health Advisory Committee
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The Baldwin Wallace health advisory committee is charged with laying the foundation for a safe and successful semester. The committee's ongoing work is focused on sustaining the health of the BW community while providing quality campus learning and living experiences.
BW President Bob Helmer assembled the team of leaders from across campus, along with external experts, to develop a comprehensive plan to enable the BW community to adapt every facet of life together at BW.
The committee, led by Charles Fairchild, Director of Dining Services, includes advisors from the Cleveland Clinic and Southwest General Health Center.
Committee members meet regularly to review, discuss and make recommendations to the BW President's Cabinet on guidelines, relying on protocols and best practices issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and county health departments, Responsible Restart Ohio and the Ohio Governor's office.
A strong network of Northeast Ohio medical centers and experts are advising and helping the University with the challenging task of staying current with the evolving mandates and recommendations.
As the committee continues to monitor and update the plan, communication will be key. BW is dedicated to providing accurate information on a regular basis in order to build trust and to foster in each individual the commitment to follow all guidelines intended to protect each other.
- Health Advisory Committee Members
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Charles Fairchild, Director, Dining Services
Timeka Rashid, Vice President for Student Affairs
Lauren Bara, Director, BW Health Services
Rob Becker, Director, Campus Recreation
Bob Beyer, Director, Residence Life
Mark Boyette, Director, Buildings & Grounds
Steve Crone, Facilities Director, Aramark
Dr. Lutul Farrow, physician at Cleveland Clinic and BW Trustee
Tricia Hamad, Head Athletic Trainer
Lisa Henderson, Associate Provost
David Jenkins, Executive Vice President and COO, Cleveland Browns and BW Trustee
Dan Karp, Assistant Vice President, University Relations
Steve Thompson, Athletic Director
Steve Stahl, Provost
Swagata Banik, Dean, Graduate Studies and Research
Guy Farish, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Susan Van Vorst, Dean, Conservatory of Music
Susan Kuznik, Interim Dean, Carmel Boyer School of Business
Jeannie Vassanelli, Catering and Events Manager
Karen Stenger, Director of Purchasing
Adam Sheldon, Assistant Provost & Executive Director, Division of Community Learning
Gary Black, Director of Safety & Security
John Snell, Associate Athletic Director
Jeremy Short, Chief Talent Officer - COVID-19 Response Team Members
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Charles Fairchild, Director, Dining Services
Timeka Rashid, Vice President for Student Affairs
Lauren Bara, Director, BW Health Services
Julie Dailey, Office Manager and Registered Nurse, BW Health Center
Lisa Weber, Registered Nurse, BW Health Center
Bob Beyer, Director, Residence Life
Jeannie Vassanelli, Catering and Events Manager
Robin Jedrzejek, Administrative Assistant, Dining Services
Tricia Hamad, Head Athletic Trainer
Kris Cunningham, Administrative Assistant, Provost's Office
Lorrie Beatty, Director of One Stop
Laura Anderson, Administrative Coordinator, One Stop
Tom Bobek, Director of Campus Access Services
Jennifer Butcher, CBORD System Coordinator, Campus Access Services
Swagata Banik, Dean, Graduate Studies and Research
