Update on COVID-19 and omicron variant

Dear students, colleagues and friends,

Central Michigan University leadership has been closely monitoring the rise of COVID-19 cases in our state, as well as news of the omicron variant.

So far, positive cases within our campus community remain low, and vaccination and booster rates among our students, faculty and staff significantly exceed those in our surrounding area. These high rates of vaccination, paired with our campus health and safety measures, are helping us mitigate the spread within our community.

This is success worth celebrating — please keep up the good work!

With just a few weeks remaining in the semester, we plan to move forward with in-person classes and activities, including commencement. I ask that everyone hosting events and gatherings adhere to and enforce CMU's health and safety protocols. If each of us continue to take personal responsibility for protecting ourselves and others, we can celebrate the end of the semester successfully together.  

Given the new wave of COVID infections throughout the state and nation, and the threat posed by the new variant, we will extend our current health and safety practices into the spring 2022 semester. This means:

Every member of our community must be fully vaccinated or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing. We also strongly encourage all vaccinated individuals to receive the COVID-19 booster.

All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear masks in all classrooms and instructional spaces, as well as in communal spaces indoors, such as hallways, lobbies, the Bovee University Center and Park Library. Masks also will be required for everyone attending indoor events of more than 25 people.

Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks when attending any meeting or gathering indoors. Vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks during meetings or gatherings of fewer than 25 people.

Masks must be worn in all health clinic areas, as required by current MIOSHA emergency rules.

Spring semester testing for unvaccinated individuals will resume Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Tests are offered at no cost to the individual and must be completed each week while an individual remains unvaccinated. We also highly encourage all employees to be tested before returning to campus after the winter break.

If you have not yet received your vaccine and wish to do so, or if you would like to receive a booster or flu vaccine, CMU is hosting free vaccine clinics — in partnership with the Central Michigan District Health Department — in Finch Fieldhouse this month. Schedule your appointment for the Dec. 10 or 17 clinics now, or make an appointment through University Health Services by calling 989-774-6599. Vaccines also are available in many local pharmacies.

Again, we are monitoring the virus closely and are prepared to shift as necessary to adapt to any changes in our circumstances. We will communicate any changes to you as quickly as possible.

Thank you for all you continue to do to keep our campus as safe and healthy as possible.

Be well,

Bob Davies, Ph.D.

President

Central Michigan University