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Dear �þ���, Faculty, and Staff,

I hope you’ve continued to enjoy the break days in the academic calendar for �þ��� students and some graduate programs. They are an important reminder that getting sufficient sleep and rest can be one of the most important actions we can take to improve our own well-being.

Today’s weekly COVID email summarizes some of the most important updates from the past week – please take the time to review the material and follow the links for more information.

Current status

• Elon’s current alert level is “Level 1 – Moderate Alert” on the Elon COVID-19 Dashboard.
• Since last week’s email update, Elon has received 12 new reports of PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students and employees.
• As of yesterday afternoon, there were an estimated total of 11 active cases, with 35 students in quarantine or isolation.

Return to Moderate Alert

Encouraging recent COVID data – including  fewer cases in our region and on campus, a drop in our testing positivity rate, and a smaller number of students in isolation and quarantine – justify an alert level reduction from Level 2 to Level 1 – Moderate Alert. Through daily behavior and campus testing Elon has been able to avoid the surges experienced on some other campuses. Maintaining these disciplined practices will allow us to remain at Level 1 and successfully complete Spring Semester. Simply put, this alert level reduction does not mean we should let our guard down.

Vaccination resources and information

• All university employees working in-person (including student employees) are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
• New information and resources continue to be updated on the special Ready & Resilient vaccination webpage, including links to online resources to make an appointment locally.
• �þ��� with high-risk medical conditions (including asthma, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity) became eligible today, March 17. See the .
• �þ��� living in congregate housing (residence halls, Loy chapter houses, and apartment complexes) are expected to be eligible to receive the vaccine beginning Wednesday, April 7.

Testing and quarantine policies after vaccination

�þ���, faculty, and staff who have waited 14 days after being fully vaccinated (received both doses for vaccines that require two doses) for COVID-19 and submitted documentation, are eligible for a 90-day exemption from participating in required campus testing or requirements to quarantine as a close contact (as long as they do not have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19). Click here to read more on testing and quarantine requirements after being vaccinated or review the March 12 email from Dr. Jeff Stein, archived online here.

Complete the and attach a copy or image of the vaccine documentation (vaccination record card) to be considered fully vaccinated for these exemptions.

Wellness moment and Chaplain’s reflection

Allow yourself time to step away from your phone, computer and any other technology, even if it’s for 15 minutes each day. Disconnecting allows you time & energy to value the very moment you’re in and enhances your overall well-being. With this added time, you can focus on personal relationships, move your body, and discover areas of interest.

University Chaplain Jan Fuller’s weekly reflection is offered to help us in our search for meaning during this challenging time – this week’s reflection, “Let the Broken Be” can be found .

Information is updated regularly on the Elon Ready & Resilient website. The next weekly COVID-19 update will be sent to all students, faculty and staff at 10:45 a.m. next Wednesday, March 24, unless an earlier message is warranted.

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Dr. Jon Dooley

Vice President for Student Life