Fast Facts for Spring 2022

• Face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces on campus property when others are present, regardless of vaccination status and regardless of the ability to physically distance until the end of the day on March 11, 2022. 
• After March 11, 2022, masks are not required.
• Experts have also recommended upgrading to higher quality N95, KN95 or KF94 masks. You should be able to request a free N95 mask at a federally approved pharmacy or health center starting next week.
• It should go without saying, but a face mask is only effective if it is worn correctly over your nose and mouth.
• See the policy for more information about appropriate face coverings and exceptions.

We continue to strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated and have their booster. In addition to reducing the risk of serious illness or hospitalization, the vaccine and booster can limit your need to quarantine if you are identified as a close contact.  

If you have not been vaccinated or received your booster dose, please consider doing so. Visit this website to find a vaccine opportunity near you. 

If you are boosted, please let us know. UWRF has enabled the ability for booster dose information to be added to records in the COVID-19 portal. Information entered in the portal is confidential and only used in aggregate for data reporting without identifying information. 

To find additional vaccine appointments, visit vaccines.gov.

The following are resources for vaccine clinic locations:

For those in Pierce County/River Falls Area: https://covid-piercecounty-wi.hub.arcgis.com/

For those in the State of Wisconsin, but not near UWRF: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/vaccine-about.htm

For those in the State of Minnesota: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/vaccine/index.html

You can also work with your personal medical provider or insurance company to find the best option for you.

• To assess the presence of COVID-19 on campus following Spring Break, unvaccinated students and staff will be required to test for COVID-19 between Monday, March 21, and Friday, March 25. Free testing will be available through the end of the spring semester at Hagestad Hall. Appointments are required. Schedule one here.  
   
• If you traveled and/or spent time in large groups during Spring Break, you are encouraged to get tested when you return to campus. If you are feeling symptomatic or have a known exposure, you are expected to get tested.    
     
• Research indicates that keeping current with vaccinations, including a booster, and wearing a well-fitting high-quality mask such as a KN95 or N95 provides the best protection against COVID-19.

• UWRF continues to offer free COVID-19 testing on campus in Hagestad Hall for the campus and greater community. Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms is expected to be tested as soon as possible. Anyone who is symptomatic, regardless of vaccination status, is strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 test. 

• The CDC recently announced new quarantine and isolation guidance.  
• Students who are in quarantine or isolation prior to the start of the semester should not come to campus until the conclusion of their isolation or quarantine periods.  
• Students experiencing symptoms should not return to campus unless they have tested negative for COVID-19.  

You should communicate directly with your instructors if you need to miss class, especially on the first day. Instructors are expected to work with you to accommodate COVID-19 related absences.    

Instructors may decide to temporarily (up to two weeks maximum) deliver their in-person classes in alternative/online formats, if deemed necessary considering a variety of factors including personal or family health concerns, suspected exposure, etc. Instructors will notify you of any changes to delivery format.

Information about Dining can be found here. If you have questions, please contact them at 715-425-4403 or
dining@uwrf.edu 

Residence Hall Association

In addition to Hall Councils, each residence hall will be represented at Residence Hall Association (RHA).  Anyone can attend RHA meetings that take place in the University Center on Thursday evenings. 

Residence Life Student Guide

The Residence Life Student Guide has been updated for the 2021-2022 academic year. It contains a lot of information about what students can expect and things they should know. All residents are encouraged to be familiar with the student guide before moving into the residence halls.

Guest Hours

Residents will be allowed to have guests in the hall and in their rooms. The guest policy is available in the Community Standards portion of the Residence Life Student Guide.

How to Prepare for Living On-Campus

The residence halls will be at full capacity this year.  While COVID-19 is still transmittable, residents should be prepared to minimize their risk and manage their personal health. This includes following all health-related expectations, including wearing a mask indoors. It also means practicing good hygiene by washing hands often, maintaining a clean and sanitary room, and doing laundry on a regular basis. Students should delay moving into the residence halls if they or those helping with move-in have any symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19.  Also, if after moving in residents have any symptoms, even if they seem minor, the resident should get tested right away. Finally, residents who have not been vaccinated before moving in should seriously consider getting vaccinated right away. Living on campus, taking classes, and participating in campus activities may expose them to many more people than when they were living at home or elsewhere. Their best defense from getting COVID-19 and spreading it to others is to be fully vaccinated.