COVID-19 Guidelines

News Update: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population- December 27, 2021
• ULS Guiding Principles Spring 2022

Information and Resources

The health and safety of our campus community is our top priority as we are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving information regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its variants. We will continue to monitor changes surrounding local and federal mandates surrounding COVID-19. We appreciate your continued support and patience as we work through this unprecedented time. We are dedicated to providing you information about Coronavirus (COVID-19), prevention measures, and precautions we are taking here at Grambling State University.

It is the responsibility of each person on campus to help maintain a healthy living and study environment and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The following recommendations from the University Louisiana System (ULS)), Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), State of Louisiana, and the current guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), students, faculty, and staff on campus Receipt of the COVID-19 vaccination and booster remains our most powerful tool to combat the pandemic. We strongly encourage students, faculty, and staff to provide a negativeCOVID-19 test to your supervisor 48 hours’ prior to returning to campus.

We encourage you to seek reliable information from the LDH and the CDC, including current CDC guidelines, updated travel notices for countries with community transmission.

Guiding Principles

All planning conducted, decisions made, and actions taken by Grambling State University, collectively and individually, shall adhere to the following hierarchy of principles: 

• The health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and our communities are paramount.
• The continuity of learning and research must be maintained, adapting to fulfill Principle 1 as appropriate and necessary.
• The financial health and viability of the enterprise must be protected and are dependent upon the fulfillment of Principles 1 and 2.
• The social, emotional, and economic welfare of our communities must be considered and are dependent upon the fulfillment of Principles 1, 2, and 3.

Masks

Masks are not required indoors or outdoors, but are still encouraged. Individuals are encouraged to wear masks indoors no matter vaccination status. Based on a recent CDC study examining the effectiveness of face masks and respirators, individuals who have or live with those who have increased risk for severe disease or a weakened immune system should consider use of N95 or KN95 respirators for individual protection. Because COVID-19 continues to be a dynamic situation, an indoor mask mandate may be reinstated under the advice of public health experts. Additional masking guidance may be implemented at the university as warranted by local conditions.

Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live

COVID-19 Community Levels are a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data.

Low:

• Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk

Medium:

•  If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness
• Talk to your healthcare provider about additional precautions, such as wearing masks or respirators indoors in public
• If you live with or have social contact with someone at high risk for severe illness, consider testing yourself for infection before you get together and wearing a mask when indoors with them.

High

• Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk (including in K-12 schools and other community settings)
• If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness
  • Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection

Vaccinations

Students

As a result of FDA approval, COVID-19 is now on the schedule of required immunizations for college students in Louisiana. Effective immediately, students must provide proof of vaccination to register as a student at  courses at Grambling State University

Alternatively, students may provide one of the following:

• documentation from a physician of medical contraindication for the vaccine, or
• a written dissent for taking the vaccine. Please visit the CDC website to find a vaccine location near you.

Faculty and Staff

We strongly encourage faculty and staff members to get vaccinated or create a testing cadence as we continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

Different COVID-19 Vaccines

Booster Information

The Louisiana National Guard is also administering COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

• Who Can Get Booster Shots
• Scheduling Your Booster Shot

Testing

Covid-19 testing sites are available for students, faculty, and staff. According to CDC Covid-19, it is strongly recommended that unvaccinated individuals test twice a week in a substantial and high transmittal environment.

The following testing locations are available for the campus community.

Student Health Center
Testing is available for GSU students with priority given to students who have symptoms or who are close contacts. Students who are symptomatic should contact the Student Health Center to see a healthcare provider.
Hours of Operation

8am-5pm Monday-Thursday and Friday 8am-11am

Testing Locations Off-Campus

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Grambling State University has a robust supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for all staff, faculty, and students. As staff and students continue to engage in the on-campus experience, Facilities, Planning, and Management will distribute PPE and cleaning materials upon request.

Facilities Planning and Management have the following PPE items available for distribution:

• Disposable Masks
• Hand Sanitizer
• Disinfectant Wipes
• Spray Disinfectant
• Face Shields

Departments and areas should request COVID cleaning supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) by completing and submitting a Work Request through the Facilities iService Desk portal. Departments and areas can pick up your request at the Facilities Planning and Management Office.

Important Reminders:

• At this time, these supplies are available to all departments as needed.
• These items are for use by employees while working on campus.
• Please request reasonable quantities and only request what your office needs. Ordering too many to stockpile affects others from getting these items that are in short supply.
• Facilities plan to keep regular stock of these items to support campus throughout, so additional orders can be placed in the future when more supplies are needed.

If you have any questions regarding the information provided, please email gsufacilities@gram.edu or call (318) 274-6162.

Campus Living and Housing

Move-in will require the following:

• We strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated and tested before arriving to campus. 
• If you are sick or have contracted COVID-19, do not report to campus, contact the area coordinator or campus living and housing.

For more information, please email gsuhousing@gram.edu.

Classes

Courses will be offered face-to-face, online, hybrid, and hyflex formats. In person, classes will employ social distancing and frequent cleaning. Please view the Spring class schedule via BannerWeb to see the list of available courses and options. 

Student Union

When visiting the Favrot Student Union, patrons will be required to complete a temperature check upon entry, and face coverings and physical distancing (6 feet minimum) will be required at all times. All visitors are expected to follow all posted COVID-19 signage and policies while in the facility. Congregation in lobbies, the computer lab, stairwell, or the front entrance of the union is prohibited.

Visitors and Vendors

• Clean your hands often, with either soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Please remember to cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces daily. If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces.