Before you Arrive on Campus

Before coming to campus, any student, faculty or staff member must submit documentation demonstrating that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption.

COVID-19 Exposure Protocols Travel Policy COVID-19 Safety Measures Testing and Vaccination

COVID-19 Exposure Protocols

Covid-19 Exposure/Possible Exposure

Students, faculty and staff members who have a possible exposure to COVID-19 must submit and follow instructions on the appropriate Reporting Form. Students will be advised of next steps by Student Affairs, and staff and faculty members will be advised by Human Resources.

Positive Test

Students, faculty and staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 must complete and submit the appropriate Reporting Form.

• RFUMS COVID-19 Faculty/Staff Reporting Form
• RFUMS COVID-19 Student Reporting Form

In order to return to on-campus administrative or clinical activities, the following criteria must be met:

• The student, faculty or staff member must be fever-free for 24 hours
• All symptoms have demonstrated signs of improving
• There must be a minimum of 10 days since the first onset of symptoms

In keeping with updated CDC guidance, any vaccinated individual who tests positive for COVID must isolate for five days. If they are then asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving — including an absence of fever for 24 hours without medication — they must wear a mask around anyone they encounter for an additional five days. Unvaccinated individuals must isolate for 10 days and observe the same protocol following resolution of symptoms.

Any student, faculty or staff member who has COVID-19 or who has an increased health risk by being exposed to it due to an underlying medical condition or is living with someone with increased risk may request an accommodation. 

• Students should request academic accommodation via the academic accommodation procedures. 
• Faculty and staff members should contact Human Resources to request an accommodation.

Tested Positive, But No Symptoms

The individual may resume normal activity as long as 10 days have passed since the last positive viral test results for COVID-19, and there are still no symptoms. If the student, faculty or staff member meets these criteria, then the individual will be cleared to return to in-person activities.

In keeping with updated CDC guidance, any vaccinated individual who tests positive for COVID must isolate for five days. If they are then asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving — including an absence of fever for 24 hours without medication — they must wear a mask around anyone they encounter for an additional five days. Unvaccinated individuals must isolate for 10 days and observe the same protocol following resolution of symptoms.

No individual should return to on-campus or clinical activities without prior clearance from the Division of Student Affairs and Inclusion or Human Resources. 

• The student has the responsibility to communicate those results to the Division of Student Affairs and Inclusion immediately. 
• Faculty and staff have the responsibility to communicate those results to Human Resources. 

For students, faculty or staff in the clinical environment, additional protocols may be required to return to the clinical site, rotations or engagement (students should expect to make up any missed time and/or work). 

Any student, faculty or staff member who has tested positive will be excused from testing for 90 days, after which time, the individual will be required to re-engage in testing or follow the protocol in place at the time. 

Experiencing Possible Symptoms of COVID-19

Students, faculty and staff members must complete and submit the appropriate Reporting Form.

• RFUMS COVID-19 Faculty/Staff Reporting Form
• RFUMS COVID-19 Student Reporting Form

Students, faculty and staff members will be excused from any current activities/curricular requirements requiring in-person commitments either on campus or in a clinical setting (students should expect to make up any missed time and/or work). 

Students, faculty and staff members will be directed to make an appointment to complete a COVID-19 test. The individual can test at any location they choose, including the RFU Health Clinics. 

Students should email the test results to student.covid@rosalindfranklin.edu. Faculty and staff members should email the test results to hr@rosalindfranklin.edu. If the test is positive, see Positive COVID-19 Test Protocol.

For return to the clinical environment, the student, faculty or staff member will need to meet requirements of their clinical site for return. 

Travel Policy

All students, faculty and staff must follow RFU's Travel Guidelines for university-sponsored (i.e., using university funds or university time) travel and for international personal travel.

Approved university-sponsored travel is permitted for domestic travel. University-sponsored travel for international travel is prohibited unless approved according to the Protocol for Exceptions to the RFU Travel Policy. Please refer to the Protocol for Exceptions to the RFU Travel Policy.

COVID-19 Safety Measures

Testing: Weekly testing for COVID infection will be required for unvaccinated individuals with approved exemptions. This applies to all employees assigned to the Main Campus, Huntley Simulation Center and the Health Clinics, regardless of whether the individual is working from home. Test results need to be sent by faculty and staff to hr@rosalindfranklin.edu and by students to covid.tests@rosalindfranklin.edu to ensure proper clearance to report to campus.

Masking on campus: Masks (surgical, N95, KN95, or KF94) continue to be encouraged in communal spaces, and required in all other locations on campus. Masks are optional for faculty/speakers who are actively lecturing under the following conditions: the faculty member/speaker is fully vaccinated, wearing a face shield and maintaining at least six feet of physical distance from a seated audience.

Physical distancing: While individual safety protocols developed for academic spaces will be followed, it will no longer be necessary for individuals to maintain six feet of distance on campus except for the active lecturing situation described above.

Screenings for COVID symptoms: All arrivals should note the list of symptoms posted at all entrances and return home if experiencing any symptoms. On-site screening by Campus Safety will only be required for visitors, who must use the main entrance.

Enhanced cleaning: Schedules to clean spaces that include lecture halls, the Boxer Library, the DNA Cafe and student housing will follow guidelines established by the CDC. It is anticipated that the library and cafe will be open during cleaning that occurs during regular hours of operation.