CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION

Hey Zips – we all play a role in keeping our campus healthy. Here's what we're doing to minimize the risk of COVID-19 and how you can help.

COVID-19 vaccines are not required for most students on campus but vaccines, including all booster shots, are strongly recommended for our entire University of Akron community. Some majors, like nursing and respiratory therapy, require students to document their vaccination status prior to enrollment in the program.

Members of the UA community who work and learn at sites with independent COVID-19 vaccination requirements, e.g., hospitals, clinical sites, co-ops and schools may be required to comply with requirements pertaining to those sites. Not complying with program partners’ COVID-19 vaccination and exemption requirements could prevent individuals from fulfilling academic and professional objectives.

Age-appropriate mRNA (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech) and Novavax vaccines are recommended for primary vaccination. For booster vaccination, mRNA vaccines are recommended. The CDC provides vaccine schedule recommendations for different age groups and for people who are immunocompromised.

Updated: May 6, 2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has adopted streamlined recommendations for dealing with common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19. As a part of this guidance, the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) continue to recommend core prevention strategies such as staying up- to- date on vaccinations, practicing good hygiene, taking steps for cleaner air, and staying home when sick.

Individuals can return to normal activities when symptoms have been improving for 24 hours. Individuals who had a fever as a symptom can resume normal activities when the fever has been gone for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicines). Once people return to normal activities, they should take enhanced precautions for the next five days (including wearing a well-fitting mask when able, keeping a distance from others, and using available test methods to inform individual actions).

This updated guidance does not apply to health care settings.

The following provides information about what to do if you feel unwell, have been exposed to COVID-19, or if someone has disclosed to you that they have COVID or have been exposed to COVID. Please follow the guidance provided. If you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 330-972-7808.

FACULTY and STAFF

If you are an employee and you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, you should:

  • Report off work by notifying your supervisor.
  • Reach out to your health care provider or call Health Services at 330-972-7808 if you wish to be seen or have testing completed.
  • If you have received a positive test result, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you may self-disclose your health status to students and/or co-workers.

If you are a faculty member and a student discloses that they have COVID you should:

  • Instruct them to follow the steps for the prevention of respiratory viruses, including taking enhanced precautions for five days.
  • Note: Students will not be issued a letter of return but may return to class.

    Teaching

    For faculty: Guidelines for classes, including guidance for masks, office hours and more.

    The following provides information about what to do if you feel unwell, have been exposed to COVID-19, or if someone has disclosed to you that they have COVID or have been exposed to COVID. Please follow the guidance provided. If you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 330-972-7808.

    If you are a UA student and feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, you should:

    • Call Health Services at 330-972-7808 or your health care provider.
    • Let your instructor know if you will be missing class due to illness or are waiting on a COVID test result (and, if you test positive for COVID, let your instructor know).

    If a UA friend discloses to you that they have COVID, you should:

    Determine if you had close contact with them 48 hours prior to their symptom onset or date they took their COVID-19 test, if they were asymptomatic, to help determine your risk factor. If you feel unwell or have COVID symptoms, call Health Services at 330-972-7808 if you wish to be seen or have testing completed. 

    Updated: September 8, 2023

    The University no longer requires Covid-19 vaccinations for students or employees and no longer reviews or considers exemption requests.

    Members of the UA community who work and learn at sites with independent COVID-19 vaccination requirements, e.g., hospitals, clinical sites, co-ops, and schools may be required to comply with requirements pertaining to those sites. Not complying with program partners’ COVID-19 vaccination and exemption requirements could prevent individuals from fulfilling academic and professional objectives.

    Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Emergency Regulation

    On August 4, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ended their COVID-19 vaccination or valid exemption requirements for individuals working in a healthcare clinic that participates in Medicare or Medicaid programs. Those individuals working or learning at on-campus clinical sites funded by CMS are encouraged to consider keeping current with their vaccinations. 

    (Updated August 9, 2023)

    Med+Proctor and privacy

    We are partnering with Med+Proctor to securely collect the vaccination status of students and employees. Med+Proctor is a confidential record-storage site that automates the immunization-verification process for universities.[TE1] [EG2] 

    Access to the form submission and Med+Proctor data is restricted to University health care professionals and trained employees. Your information will not be shared publicly or directly with instructors, supervisors or colleagues.

    There is no charge to upload your information.

    How to upload

    1. Log on to medproctor.com. First-time users will need to register for a new account. There is no charge.
    2. Upload your vaccine record.

    Need help? See step-by-step instructions.

    COVID vaccination is available at the Summit County Public Health clinic by appointment only.  Call 330-375-2772 to schedule.

    Visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov for more registered vaccination locations in Ohio.

    Updated: May 6, 2024

    Symptomatic Individuals

    If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, testing is available at Student Health Services.  Office visit fees apply. You may obtain a take-home test via curbside pickup at Bierce Library. (See details below.)

    Asymptomatic Individuals

    If you are NOT experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 but would like to get tested, (including those exposed to COVID-19 not experiencing symptoms), you can pick up an at-home test from Bierce Library or the Student Recreation and Wellness Center while supplies last. See details for all options below.

    Health Services

    Testing for those experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can get tested at Student Health Services inside the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. An appointment is required and can be made by calling 330-972-7808.  Office visit fees apply.

    At-Home Test Pickup

    At-home tests for COVID-19 may be picked up at the Bierce Library circulation desk and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center main desk during normal operating hours.

    Curbside Pickup of At-Home Tests

    Curbside pickup of at-home tests for COVID-19 may be arranged at Bierce Library by calling 330-972-5355 or email circ@uakron2.libanswers.com to schedule a time.

    We encourage anyone who is feeling ill or who is immunocompromised to use caution and consider facial coverings for their personal safety.

        Please note, there will be locations where masks may still be required, including: 

        • Some faculty and staff may continue to request (not require) that others wear a mask in individual classrooms, research labs or offices. Please continue to carry a mask to wear in these situations to protect the health of vulnerable people in our community and respect the Zips who make these requests. However, there will be no consequence if you decline the request.
        • Athletic training will determine requirements in training rooms and other close contact locations based on their own surveillance data. 

        Areas where masks will still be required universally:

        • Student Health Services 
        • Speech and Audiology clinics in the Polsky Building 
        • Office of Accessibility

          Individuals may choose to wear masks at any time.

          The University will continue to monitor conditions and guidance from the CDC, the State of Ohio and local health officials and adjust protocols as needed.

          More

          • In the unlikely event a universal mask mandate would return, faculty/instructors who are teaching in-person classes may choose to wear a face shield in place of a face mask while teaching if they are vaccinated and can maintain a safe distance of more than six feet from their students.  See additional information for faculty. 
          • Microphones may be requested to aid in teaching.  Please contact Audio Visual Services for assistance. 
          • The Office of Accessibility may request that instructors wear a clear view face mask or visible shield to provide necessary facial cues. Faculty may wear their own clear face covering or request one from the Office of Accessibility. 
          • Any supervisor or employee who has questions about the non-compliance of the mask use, please contact LaborRelations@bj7dian.com. 

          Report COVID test or symptoms

          For students: Students are responsible for informing their instructors when they miss class.  Health Services does not provide notes for missed classes. 

          For faculty/staff: If you have COVID symptoms or test positive, please report it to your supervisor.

          About Student Health Services

          Located in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center Student Health Services is staffed by certified family nurse practitioners. Appointments are available for degree-seeking students and University employees.

          Where to get assistance

          Affording the semester

          Help-A-Zip: Help for students struggling with academics, mental health, finances or adjustment to college. Make a referral or request help for yourself.

          ZipAssist: Hub for student support and assistance

          Campus Cupboard: Providing students in periodic need with access to the basic necessities of daily living.

          Technology needs holding you back?

          Students in need of technology (laptop, webcam, etc.) to complete their classes are encouraged to visit Bierce Library and reserve a device http://ytjfrl.bj7dian.com/libraries/services/

          Equipment (such as laptops, Chromebooks, webcams and hot spots) are available for the duration of the semester. 

          Students in need of internet should also check out a federal broadband assistance program. Qualified households experiencing pandemic-related hardships may be eligible for up to $50 of their monthly broadband charges through this program. Learn more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

          If you are concerned about your ability to be successful in an online course, please feel free to submit a Help-A-Zip referral. Our team will work with you to offer resources.

          For meetings and events that necessitate being in person, departments and student organizations are required to follow these guidelines. 
          Departments and student organizations are required to meet the following guidelines to promote healthy behaviors to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

          • Adherence to federal, state and local public health requirements. 
          • Adherence to applicable University policies for masks as posted elsewhere on this page. 

                Before your event

                • In marketing materials, require staff, volunteers and attendees to stay home if they do not feel well or have been diagnosed with COVID-19. 

                      During your event

                      Provide hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol near the event entrance and exits. 

                      Info for anyone traveling out of Akron:

                      Travel policy for students, faculty and staff traveling out of Akron and the United States

                      For non-U.S. students coming to Akron, see arrival details for those traveling from abroad.

                      For non-U.S. students coming to Akron:

                      See arrival details for those traveling to Akron from abroad

                      For those traveling OUT of the United States see UA's international travel policy for those traveling abroad.