Franklin Community Update

Please refer to the September 20, 2021 Community Update for the most recent information.

Dear Franklin Community, 

This Monday marks the return of weekly community messages. Included in this update: information about the situation on campus and about our implementation of the new Swiss COVID regulations.

Franklin's policy requires us to notify the community of any positive COVID cases among individuals who were on-campus any time in the five days before their diagnosis. We have one member of the community who tested positive last week and who is self-isolating. Following protocol, all points of contact have already been notified. The employee has since tested negative, and we look forward to their return to campus later this week. Franklin is also proud to report that we currently have no positive cases among our student body on-campus. Thank you all for your continued diligence in respecting face covering and physical distancing requirements. 

Starting today, Monday, September 13, 2021, new Swiss federal government regulations mandate that a COVID Certificate is required to access indoor restaurants, bars and clubs, indoor events, cultural and leisure facilities, as well as sporting and cultural activities.

We want to support all community members, and this includes creating alternative temporary on-campus access solutions for those who do not yet hold a COVID Certificate. A Franklin Pass will be provided for accessing Franklin's services, such as the gym, dining halls, and libraries. A reminder that starting today, the Grotto and the North Campus Dining Hall will only be accessible for Franklin faculty, staff, and students and Virginia Tech visiting students, with no guests allowed until further notice. Hereafter more details.

Franklin Pass: A temporary Franklin Pass was issued via FUS email on September 12, 2021 to students with approved vaccination or recovery documents submitted in the COVID-19 vaccination/recovery form. The temporary Franklin Pass is valid until the end of the day on October 9, 2021 and only on the Franklin University Switzerland campus. The Franklin Pass is issued in an effort to provide privacy to students while also accepting foreign vaccination and recovery documents without a QR code in lieu of a COVID Certificate for on-campus purposes.

Students with submitted vaccination or recovery documents who are waiting for their Swiss Permit will be allowed to present a temporary Franklin Pass until the end of the day on October 9, 2021 for entrance to on-campus locations and events when a COVID Certificate is required. Students are required to present their ID (Franklin ID is preferred on-campus) and to carry their original vaccination or recovery document in case Swiss Authorities ask to verify it. Franklin communicated to all students about the termination of the temporary Franklin Pass on September 17, 2021 after we received clarification about accepting foreign vaccination and recovery documents without a QR code for on-campus purposes.

Students are strongly encouraged to request to have their foreign vaccination or recovery document validated in order to receive a QR code by following the instructions on this site or proceeding with obtaining a negative COVID test with a QR code to be entered into the Swiss COVID Certificate App and used as a COVID Certificate. Students with questions about their vaccination or recovery documents or health situation should contact medicalservices@fus.edu.

Grotto: Starting September 13, 2021, the Grotto will only be accessible for Franklin faculty, staff, and students and Virginia Tech visiting students. No guests allowed until further notice.

• The Grotto will be accessible for Franklin faculty, staff, and students and Virginia Tech visiting students and no Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate is required.
• Masks are required when you are not eating/drinking.

Dining Hall: Starting September 13, 2021, the Dining Hall will only be accessible for Franklin faculty, staff, and students and Virginia Tech visiting students. No guests allowed until further notice.

• Monday to Friday, the Dining Hall will be accessible only to Franklin faculty, staff, and students and Virginia Tech visiting students with a Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate. Show your Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate along with identification when you make your food order.

• Saturday and Sunday, the Dining Hall will be accessible for Franklin faculty, staff, and students and Virginia Tech visiting students and no Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate is required.

• Masks are required when you are not eating/drinking.

Falcon’s Nest: The Falcon’s Nest will be accessible only to holders of a Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate.

• Students who want to study or spend time in the Falcon’s Nest will be required to present a Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate along with identification at the OSL Front Desk in Airone Hall.
• The Falcon’s Nest can be reserved as an event space using the online scheduling system. A Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate along with identification will be required for all individuals attending an event in the Falcon’s Nest.
• More information will be shared soon about the option to check out a device with the COVID Check App for student clubs and organizations to verify COVID Certificates for individuals attending planned indoor events or programs.

Grace Library: The Grace Library reading room and the adjacent Computer Lab will be accessible only to holders of a Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate.

• Electronic resources remain available while using campus WIFI.
• Library books can be requested online and picked up at the Library door. Follow these instructions to request books in WorldCat Discovery
• Printing services are available by emailing library.frontdesk@fus.edu and picking up your copies at the Library door.

Tone Athletic Center (TAC): The TAC will be accessible only to holders of a Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate.

• The TAC will be closed on September 13 and 14 as the schedule is updated.
• The TAC opening hours will be announced in the Franklin App soon.
• Individuals using the TAC will be required to show a Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate along with identification to the TAC Monitor in the gym area.
• Individuals using the TAC will be required to self-register their attendance using the Franklin App.
• All students will be invited to check out exercise equipment to use outdoors. More information about this will be shared in the Franklin App.
• All students are invited to enjoy outdoor exercise courses to be shared in the Franklin App soon.

The Writing and Learning Center (WLC): The WLC will be accessible only to holders of a Franklin Pass or COVID Certificate.

• The WLC will temporarily reduce its hours to only accommodate pre-booked appointments on Setmore and language tutoring groups.
• The WLC will be closed as a study space from Monday, September 13 to Friday, September 17. We plan to later reopen as a study space for designated hours still to be determined.
• Anyone who needs to check-out books in the Fowler library can do so by booking a dedicated appointment through Setmore.

Classes continue to run in-person for all healthy students with no COVID certificate requirement. Spaces such as the WLC, Falcon’s Nest, and Computer Labs when reserved by a professor and used exclusively as a classroom (so no other students allowed during that period) also do not require a COVID certificate.

Please remember to wear a mask, wash your hands, and maintain a safe distance between you and others. What you do matters. Thank you for helping keep our community safe.