Friends,

Welcome to the new academic year at Guilford College. In the coming week, we’ll be sharing lots of information to orient everyone for a successful fall semester. As we prepare to gather for our Opening Community Meeting and other activities, I’m writing about the status of our COVID-19 protocols.

First and foremost, the safety of everyone on campus, the positive experience of our students, faculty and staff and the uninterrupted operations of the College continue to be priorities as we enter the new year. After more than two years of this pandemic, we all desire some relief. However, I’m encouraging us all to stay vigilant.

Health and Safety Task Force recommendations for protocol updates that were approved by Cabinet in March remain in effect, including:

• Masks are optional inside any campus building. When masks are worn, we encourage KN95 (most preferable) or surgical-type disposable masks rather than single-layer fabric masks.
• Faculty, staff, and students have the right to ask individuals to wear masks in spaces for which they are responsible. For example:
  • Faculty can require masks for in-person classes.
  • Faculty and staff can require masks for individuals who meet in their offices.
  • Students can require masks for individuals who enter into their residence hall rooms, etc.
  • Faculty, staff, and students should do their best to communicate clearly with individuals of the request ahead of time and have masks available should they be needed.
  • We ask the community to be respectful and honor requests for masks to be worn.
• Community members should always have a mask available if they are entering a campus building.
• At this time and until further notice, off-campus guests are not permitted in the residence halls or on-campus apartments, other than for the purpose of move-in assistance.

While Guilford will not offer campus-wide testing prior to the start of classes, for the safety of our community, if you feel sick with COVID symptoms (fever, sore throat, cough, etc.), please mask immediately and procure a COVID test. Employees with Guilford College benefits can receive free COVID tests at any local pharmacy. Additionally, you may be able to order free tests via the U.S. Postal Service if you have not done so already. Even if you test negative, you are encouraged to stay home until your symptoms subside. Please be in contact with your supervisor regarding your return to work.

We will offer a vaccination and booster clinic on campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 22, in Boren Lounge of Founders Hall.

Also:

• We remain in Phase 4 of our activity matrix.
• Our approved visitor policy remains in effect.
• Quarantine and isolation policies also remain in effect. Here are handy flow charts for students and faculty/staff to track these policies. 

We will continue to monitor the COVID situation on campus and in the surrounding community. The Health and Safety Task Force will reconvene soon and provide guidance to the campus during the academic year. If you have any questions, please contact taskforce@guilford.edu.

I wish you the best for a very successful year ahead.

Warmly,
Kyle Farmbry
President