Dear Westfield State University Community,
As we all share in our concerns for the safety and well-being of our community, I am writing to remind everyone of our Fall 2022 public health protocols. These protocols were distributed to the Westfield State University community on August 17, 2022 and will remain in place until further notice. These protocols have been developed after reviewing current COVID-19 transmission data and are consistent with the practices of other public universities in Massachusetts.
This notice is especially timely as today, September 1, 2022, may be the last day to order your free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government. While we have a sufficient supply of self-test kits available at Westfield State University, I encourage all of you to request tests for your household if you have not already done so.
Masking
- Westfield State University will continue to be mask optional throughout most of campus. As a mask friendly campus, however, we encourage mask wearing as an effective tool in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
- Masks will be required in all classrooms and instructional spaces during scheduled class times for the Fall 2022 semester. However, to provide more flexibility, faculty have the option of NOT requiring mask wearing in their classes.
- Students and employees do NOT need to wear a mask while on Westfield State transit or in public spaces of the Ely Library (unless in a classroom during class time).
- Masks will continue to be required in Health Services and the Counseling Center, as they are in all healthcare settings in Massachusetts.
- Employees have the option of requiring that a mask be worn in their individual single-occupancy offices.
- Free medical procedure masks will be available at designated locations throughout the academic year to all members of the Westfield State community. Masks will be available in the SAIL office on the lower level of the Ely Campus Center, at Health Services, and in many departmental offices. Students are encouraged to visit SAIL while employees should speak with their supervisors to request masks, if needed.
Vaccination
- All individuals who will have any on-campus presence are required to complete an initial series of COVID vaccination (2 doses of Pfizer/Moderna or 1 dose of J&J) prior to coming to campus. Initial booster doses are strongly encouraged for everyone who is eligible. Individuals are eligible to receive the first booster dose 5 months after receiving the second dose of Pfizer/Moderna or 2 months after J&J dose.
- If you are a current employee who has already provided proof of your vaccination status or previously requested and received an exemption from the vaccination mandate, you do NOT need to take any further action for the Fall semester. New employees will be asked to provide proof of vaccination by Human Resources prior to onboarding.
- Students who have not submitted proof of vaccination should do so at www.westfield.ma.edu/healthservices
Testing
- Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should seek testing. Students and employees may request a rapid self-test kit at Health Services by contacting healthservices@westfield.ma.edu or (413) 572-5415. You may also seek testing at an off-campus location or through an at-home test.
- Westfield State strongly encourages exempted unvaccinated students to test weekly.
- Exempt unvaccinated employees will continue to be expected to test weekly and report any positive test results.
- Students and employees who are COVID-positive should contact Tiffany Fangman at tfangman@westfield.ma.edu. Employees should also contact their supervisor.
COVID-19 Page/Dashboard
- Westfield State University will continue to operate its COVID-19 page where the community can find the most recent communications regarding the University's response to COVID-19.
- Westfield State University will not post a weekly dashboard to the COVID-19 page as the University will not be conducting mandatory testing.
Thank you once again for your cooperation as we work to keep our campus healthy and safe.
Warmly,
Linda
