Important reminders for students

February 3, 2021

Dear Students,

As you saw in the community message this morning, we have detected a cluster of COVID-19 among our undergraduate students, and our preliminary investigation suggests that the cases are associated with off-campus gatherings last weekend. We write to stress how important it is that you understand and comply with all state, city, and JHU COVID-19 policies, procedures, and public health guidance, and to say thank you to those of you who have been steadfast in doing so.

As a result of the cluster, students are asked to adhere to the following:

1. Mandatory Self-Quarantine: All Charles Commons residents and student athletes are required to self-quarantine for this two-day period (Feb. 3 and 4) regardless of test results. 
2. Mandatory Testing: If you are a student currently living in Charles Commons and you did not have a COVID-19 test yesterday, you are expected to test at Charles Commons today. If you are having difficulty scheduling an appointment at Charles Commons please use the AMR2 testing site. All student athletes and all residential students who did not test for COVID-19 yesterday are expected to test at AMR2 or Shriver Hall today. Please schedule via MyChart. Charles Commons residents and student athletes are expected to get tested again on both Friday AND Saturday (Feb. 5 and 6).

Non-residential undergraduates who don’t fall into one of the above categories should continue their standard mandatory twice weekly testing.  It is imperative that every student remain vigilant in following public health guidance and the university operating procedures during the pandemic, so we can keep our community safe and continue the semester with students on campus. 

The Student Conduct Code, the Room and Board Contract and Addendum, combined with the Return to Campus Guidance make clear the behaviors that may warrant corrective actions, both on an individual and organizational level. To highlight a few:

• Hosting social gatherings off-campus larger than 10 people
• Not wearing face coverings where required and/or not practicing physical distancing
• Unauthorized access to campus buildings or residence halls 
• Not isolating or quarantining as directed
• Not complying with mandatory twice weekly testing while in Baltimore
• Being a guest in another student’s residence hall room or allowing guests in your residence hall room

Please ensure you are familiar with Student Conduct’s Reinforcement of University COVID Guidelines for Students and please, do your part to be informed and model smart decisions. Pay attention to and follow the signage you see on campus and recognize the responsibility you have to adhere to the City of Baltimore’s public health guidance as well.

Do not confuse your negative COVID-19 test with immunity. Your test is capturing a moment in time and does not in any way suggest that you can’t be infected as soon as you leave the testing center or that you may not already be infected and the virus just hasn’t progressed enough to show up in a test result. You must continue to practice social distancing, hand washing, and masking.

Should you encounter noncompliance, there are a variety of ways to report.  You may notify the university by submitting anonymous concerns via the JHU hotline at 844-SPEAK2US; through an online reporting form; or by contacting Health, Safety and Environment at HSEinfo@jhmi.edu or 410-516-8798.  For live, immediate response, also consider using the LiveSafe app to report things directly to Campus Safety & Security (with options for anonymous reporting). 

Last week, the JHU Social Compact launched and we hope that you all have seen it, read it, and plan to join us in committing to staying safe together. We urge you to demonstrate and amplify the leadership skills we know you possess to ensure everyone in your community, including your neighbors, is safe. 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely, 
Alanna Shanahan, Vice Provost for Student Affairs