СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

Dear SU Faculty and Staff,

We hope you are having a restful winter break. СÀ¶ÊÓƵ is continuing to monitor the spread of the COVID-19 virus and, in particular – the Omicron variant – which has increased locally and throughout Maryland and the U.S. Looking ahead to the reopening of campus for winter term on Monday, January 3, SU is following guidance from the University Health Team and the University System of Maryland in implementing the following steps:

• Currently, SU plans to hold winter term courses as originally scheduled beginning Monday, January 3. In-person classes may be shifted to larger classrooms to allow for more physical distancing. Students affected by classroom changes will be notified by their faculty.
• SU offices will re-open on January 3 following winter break for staff; however, some support services will be offered remotely.
• All employees are strongly encouraged to pick up a take-home test and get tested before their first day back on campus. Tests will be available for pickup:
  • Great Hall, Holloway Hall, Saturday (1/1) and Sunday (1/2) from 2-5 p.m.
  • Great Hall, Holloway Hall, Monday-Friday (during winter term) from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Tests also are available from the local health departments at this .
  • Free take-home tests will be available throughout the semester.
• A negative result from a COVID-19 test will be required on your first day back on campus. Those who have already scheduled a return test appointment should plan to keep it. Those who have not yet scheduled their return test should do so as soon as possible at .
• COVID-19 boosters are strongly encouraged for all employees. For those who have not already received a booster, free on-campus appointments are available at . Employees also can find local appointments at .
• Those who have received an SU-issued exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, and those who are eligible for a booster but have not yet received one, will be required to take an SU-administered COVID-19 test twice weekly, with a negative result, to maintain campus access. Those who are required to test will receive scheduling instructions via a separate email.
• SU’s face mask requirement continues inside all campus buildings except when in an assigned residence hall room, alone in an assigned office, or eating or drinking in assigned areas. Employees are strongly encouraged to bring KN95 masks with them to campus. They also will be available for free through Campus Health. KN95 masks should be worn while in classrooms or other instructional settings. 

These actions are being taken to better help SU prepare for an in-person spring term beginning Monday, January 31.

Please continue monitoring your SU email account and the SU COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date information regarding campus operations. Thank you for all you continue to do to help #ProtectTheFlock.