We are gratified by the high and growing rates of vaccination by those Franklin students, staff and faculty who are able to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Many reports, like the September 1, 2021 study by The Lancet, find that vaccines giveexcellent protection, but some people still become infected with SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination, even though generally with less severe effects. Evidence also suggests that asymptomatic vaccinated individuals may be able to pass on the virus.
Thus, as a friendly reminder: you must continue to wear a mask in all indoor spaces on campus; all community members can access the dining halls with their Franklin ID card; and a valid proof of vaccination or recovery is required to enter the gym, libraries, and to participate in indoor events. Together we can beat this thing.
An unconfirmed positive case of COVID-19 on campus was reported over the weekend. We are investigating and will update the community next week. In the presence of a confirmed case, our contact tracing and quarantine policy goes immediately into effect, and all individuals involved would be contacted directly.
Medical providers continue to report seeing many of our students for sore throats, colds, and coughs, which fortunately have turned out not to be COVID-related. Please remember that anyone who develops flu-like symptoms (fever above 37.5° C / 100° F or a feeling of fever, mostly dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or breathing problems, muscle aches, sudden loss of smell and / or taste) must stay at home, limit contact with other people and email FUS medical services: medicalservices@fus.edu. If you feel well enough to participate in class online, you should make a request directly to your professor by email as far in advance as possible.
If you have not already done so, please proceed with getting your foreign COVID vaccination validated so that you can be issued with a Swiss QR code certificate. Contact the Coordinator of Student Medical Services and Well-Being if you have additional questions about your situation, or if you still need to share your status with us.
Here is an important notice specifically for those of you enrolled in an Academic Travel this semester:
- All students and faculty traveling will be tested for COVID-19 on October 15, 16 or 18, 2021 depending on your group’s departure date. Click here for the schedule for pre-travel testing or ask your travel professor. Testing is intended to ensure both your safety and the safety of the travel group.
- Traveling students, kindly fill out the required Academic Travel release and health form by October 8, 2021.
- Questions? Please reach out to your Academic Travel Professor.
Franklin has also decided that all students, including those who have not been on Academic Travel, will be tested for COVID-19 during the first week of classes after the Academic Travel period. This will ensure both your safety and the well-being of the community at large. Post-AT testing times will be shared as soon as they are finalized, so stay tuned.
Finally, if you would like to discuss any of this or more, please stop in for Coffee with the Deans this Friday, October 1 at 11:00am at the Kaletsch Campus Grotto.