Dominican Returns To In-Person Learning For Spring

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Photo of Dominican students sitting and standing around faculty member teaching on lawn outside Guzman Hall and its ivy covered walls

Dominican University of California returned to in-person instruction on Monday, January 31. This transition back to in-person classes followed a two-week period of remote instruction and is due to improving conditions in Marin County and low test positivity rates both on campus and in our greater community.

The decision to begin the spring 2022 semester remotely until Jan. 31 was based on uncertainty about the trajectory of COVID in our community. Data informed the University’s decision to return to primarily in-person classes Monday.

Marin County did experience a surge of new COVID cases — fueled by the Omicron variant — in early January. Health officials are now seeing decreasing case and test positivity rates in the county. Furthermore, the University’s baseline testing protocol for students, faculty, and staff returning to campus the week of January 18 yielded a positivity rate of less than 1% for the 500+ participants.

“While the Omicron wave appears to be behind us, it is imperative that we continue to follow campus protocols that are helping to keep our community healthy and reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Paul Raccanello, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management & Dean of Students.

Dominican’s commitment to being a fully vaccinated campus is the best defense against the virus. Dominican continues to follow the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American College Health Association (ACHA) that all students enrolling in in-person classes provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, including booster, or a request for an exemption based on medical or religious grounds. Please note these requests will be reviewed and might not be approved.

Dominican changed the definition of “fully vaccinated” to require a booster for booster-eligible faculty, staff, and students effective January 25, 2022.

“Last semester our campus community did an outstanding job remaining in compliance with our COVID-19 testing protocols and our mask mandate,” Dr. Raccanello said. “We also are seeing a strong and positive response from campus to the vaccine booster requirements announced last month.”

The University’s Pandemic Response Team continues to work closely with Marin County Public Health in monitoring conditions on campus and in the community. We will continue to modify our policies and protocols based on shifting changes and will communicate to campus through email and the University website.

Information about class locations is available through self-service. 

Here is some additional information:

Return-to-Campus Testing
Due to the decline in COVID cases in Marin, and because of the campus community’s strict adherence to health/safety protocols (including the mask mandate), Marin Public Health has informed the University that we do not need to conduct baseline testing on campus. Public Health’s recommendation to not test is based largely on our high vaccination rates and low positive case numbers.

Self-Monitoring for Symptoms
Students should monitor themselves for any COVID symptoms and complete the COVID reporting form if any of the following apply:

  • You have COVID symptoms
  • You test positive for COVID
  • You have close contact with someone COVID+ (see definition change below)


Weekly Reporting for Unvaccinated and Not-Fully-Vaccinated
Unvaccinated and not-fully-vaccinated (missing the third/booster shot) will return to weekly testing upon return to campus and in-person activities. Tests must be every seven days or less in frequency. Weekly test results must be submitted using the COVID Test Results Upload Form. Daily health screenings are still required and accessible through selfservice.dominican.edu.

COVID Testing Options for Students
Dominican will accept rapid antigen tests as verification of COVID status. Additionally, PCR test availability in the county has reopened; check for appointments through your healthcare provider or on the Marin County Coronavirus Testing Information site. Students with symptoms or who have had close contact can obtain a rapid antigen test from the University. Please first complete the COVID reporting form and then contact any of the following to get a testing kit:

Masks
Marin County has reissued the indoor mask mandate; masks must be worn at all times indoors, except when alone in an office or enclosed space. The current guidance recommends wearing a surgical masks with a secondary cloth covering or a higher-level respirator-type mask (ex:, N95, KN95, KF94) worn independently with a good fit. See these CDC guidelines to ensure a well-fitting mask. Students who have not already done so may pick-up masks at the Student Health Center during open hours. 

Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines
The University has adopted the new quarantine and isolation guidelines which were issued by the CDC and CDPH. If you test positive for COVID, you must isolate for a 5-day period. The isolation may only end when you are symptom free, test negative with a home antigen COVID test, and then wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days after isolation. Student-athletes must isolate themselves from practice and competition for 10 days. If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19 as a close contact, whether or not you must quarantine depends upon your booster and vaccination status — see Health and Safety page for more information.

Athletic Events
Marin County is now allowing spectators to attend indoor athletic events. There is a limit of 500 people indoors (including athletes, coaches, and staff). Spectators must be fully masked at all times and are encouraged to socially distance from others when seated.

Information and Resources for Students
The following links are important information and resources for students. Email COVID questions to:  penguinprepared@dominican.edu. 

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