In an email sent to students on Jan. 4, Holy Cross College’s dean and vice president of student life Andrew Polaniecki outlined the College’s COVID-19 protocols for the spring semester.
Polaniecki first stressed the College’s focus on providing in-person classes.
“Holy Cross is committed to in-person learning while at the same time is also committed to keeping everyone in the campus and local communities as safe as possible,” he wrote in the email.
Polaniecki explained students must submit verification of receiving a vaccination booster by Jan. 21, an earlier date than the College’s previously announced deadline of “the middle of the spring semester.” Students are asked to send their verification to Tom DeHorn or Marie Oliva.
However, Polaniecki noted that students who contracted COVID-19 over winter break have an extended deadline to upload a booster verification.
For isolation and quarantine protocols, Holy Cross will follow updated guidance from the CDC, requiring all students, regardless of vaccination status, to isolate for five days — rather than 10 — following a positive COVID-19 test.
After five days, fully vaccinated individuals are free to return to normal activities while masking, and those not fully vaccinated can do so after a negative test on their fifth day of isolation, Polaniecki wrote.
While fully vaccinated individuals deemed close contacts are only required to mask for five days, Polaniecki explained that unvaccinated close contacts “will be required to quarantine for five days and will need a negative test before returning to normal activities.”
While space will be designated for students living on campus who test positive for COVID-19, those who live within 150 miles of campus will be encouraged to isolate at home.
“If you live in the region please take time now to consider if you would be able to isolate at home or with a family member should it be necessary,” Polaniecki wrote.
Holy Cross will continue to require guests to mask when indoors, and those who have already received an exemption from the vaccination requirement are also exempted from the booster requirement. Consistent with last semester’s policy, those not fully vaccinated will be required to receive a COVID test each week.
Polaniecki concluded the email by thanking the students for their continued efforts in the face of the pandemic, noting there have been very low numbers of positive COVID-19 tests and zero instances of seriously ill or hospitalized individuals from Holy Cross.
“Thank you for your continued resilience and your efforts to be Scholars, Citizens, Leaders, and Disciples,” Polaniecki said. “Know of my prayers for you and your loved ones as you make final preparations to return to campus.”
