Dear Viking students,
Salem State has just updated our COVID-19 webpages with new health and safety protocols for the fall semester. It is very important that you take the time to review them. As a community, we have done an amazing job of coming together during the pandemic, supporting each other, and keeping our case counts low on campus. It’s essential that we continue this good work and follow the updated campus safety protocols. We know that Vikings do care!
Although we regularly update our webpages to contain the latest safety protocols, we realize that they are not visited daily. Please continue to watch your Salem State email account as things may change. For example, with the quick growth of the Delta variant in Essex County, we recently had to reinstate our indoor mask mandate policy. This change follows CDC and other public health guidelines.
Here are a few fall safety and campus life highlights:
- All Salem State students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and review the Canvas 2021- 2022 Health and Safety Training (and pass the quiz) before returning to campus for the fall semester.
- Students need to upload their proof of vaccination to the student health portal by August 20—at the latest. The exemption process is also located on the student health portal. If you have never used this portal, please take a moment to review this guide.
- There are vaccination opportunities on campus during the next month and free COVID-19 testing is available throughout the fall semester.
- We are not changing the modalities in which our classes are being offered for the fall semester. Classes listed as in-person, hybrid or remote when students registered for them will remain that way, unless there is a unique circumstance. For the fall semester, 70% or our classes have some in-person component. This number is close to what we offered pre-pandemic.
- Students interested in changing their class schedules should contact the Center for Academic Excellence office and meet with an academic advisor. Students have until the end of the add/drop period (September 9) to make these adjustments for full semester courses.
- There have been no changes to residential life housing occupancy at this time. That is, if you registered for a shared room in the spring, that is what you’ll have in the fall—we are not moving all students to singles.
- Salem State has reinstated an indoor mask mandate for all community members (students, employees, guests) regardless of vaccination status. Masks are required in all indoor public spaces, and are recommended in outdoor locations if individuals are not able to socially distance.
- Join our student and family forum tonight, August 10 at 6:30 pm where President Keenan and other campus representatives will provide an overview of the fall semester and answer questions.
Throughout the pandemic, the university has monitored COVID-19 local and regional infection rates and public health guidance, and has implemented strategies with an abundance of caution that prioritize the health and safety of the community. Last year, we were able to have a successful year without any major safety disruptions. We will build on this success to do the same for the 2021- 2022 academic year. We greatly appreciate everyone’s attention and flexibility.
Thank you for your efforts to keep yourself, your fellow Vikings and our community safe. We are looking forward to seeing many of you back on campus this fall.
Sincerely,
Elisa Castillo, PhD
Associate Dean of Students for Wellness
Gene Labonte
Associate Vice President, Public Safety and Risk Management
Chief of Police