Campus Masking Update February 24, 2022
Dear Radford Family,
We have had a great start to the spring semester, and remain pleased and encouraged that COVID-19 and the most recent Omicron variant infection rates continue to decline. Your commitment to the health, safety and well-being of our community has been strong. The number of weekly positive cases continues to decrease and vaccination rates of our students and employees remain high. Cases in our local area/health district are declining as we enter into an endemic phase of the global pandemic. Based on the current state of public health conditions both locally and on campus, Radford University will move to an indoor mask optional policy effective Friday, March 4, 2022.
We recognize that some members of our community may choose to continue to wear masks. The use of masks is supported and encouraged for all who choose to wear one. This is particularly important for individuals who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and individuals with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe infection. We encourage a “mask friendly” approach, whereby those who wish to wear a mask respect those who do not, and those who do not wish to wear a mask respect those who do. As a campus community, we ask that everyone demonstrate empathy and understanding toward each other as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together.
Due to existing federal requirements and recommendations, some indoor locations and/or services on main campus will still require masking. This includes public transit and clinical care locations. These locations and/or services will be clearly marked by signage. Specific examples include Radford Transit, the Student Health Center located in Moffett Hall and the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic located in Waldron Hall. Compliance in these or other similar locations marked with University signage is required by anyone 2 years of age or older in order to access the area or service.
The masking requirements for students, faculty and staff at Radford University Carilion (RUC) remain in effect at this time due to the location within a health care facility (Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital). The university remains in close contact with Carilion Clinic partners and will advise of any changes regarding masking at RUC.
The university will continue to have masks available including KN95 masks. KN95 masks are available at Facilities Management upon request or at the following locations across main campus: Bonnie Information Desk, McConnell Library Information Desk, Parking Services – Heth Hall and RUC Administration Suite, 3rd floor.
The University will continue to offer COVID-19 testing to students, faculty, staff and contractors at Young Hall on main campus. With the discontinuation of the required weekly testing the overall volume of weekly testing is much less. Effective Monday, February 28, 2022 the adjusted hours of the Young Hall testing center on main campus are:
- Mondays - 10 a.m. to noon
- Tuesdays - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Wednesdays - 3 to 5 p.m.
Testing at RUC will continue to be offered in the boardroom on the third floor (Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital) the first and third Wednesday and second and fourth Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Testing will not be available on main campus or at RUC during the week of Spring Break, March 5 through 12, 2022.
Keeping up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations remains the most effective tool to fight COVID-19 and prevent against severe illness. Booster clinics will continue to be offered both on main campus and at RUC.
Members of our community that are symptomatic or sick should stay home until cleared by a healthcare provider or a negative COVID-19 test result is received. For individuals that test positive for COVID-19 or are a confirmed close contact, following a 5-day period of isolation or quarantine, are required to wear a well-fitting mask for days 6 through 10.
Since the start of the pandemic, Radford has relied on public health guidelines and our COVID-19 Workgroup to inform COVID-19 policies. The steps that each of our students, faculty and staff have taken and continue to take to support the well-being of our campus community is extraordinary. While case counts may fluctuate as the pandemic becomes an endemic, we are confident that our individual commitment to the well-being of our Highlander community will help us continue to move forward successfully.
With Highlander Pride,
Carolyn Ringer Lepre, Ph.D.
Interim President