With a country-wide decline in COVID-19 cases from 5,487,364 cases on February 12, 2022, to 226,618 on March 1, 2023, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends vaccination against COVID-19 but there is no mask requirement. This also includes testing if presenting symptoms and isolation to be done on a case-by-case basis. This means that universities are taking different approaches to COVID-19 policies.
Matthew McWilliams, the Assistant Vice President of Communications, spoke on the current COVID-19 policy and said, “The university’s policy has changed to basically reflect CDC and Virginia Department of Health’s recommendations. If you test positive for COVID-19, you isolate yourself for five days. For five days after that, we recommend you wear a mask when you’re around other people…”
On Longwood’s website and in the student handbook this policy is unable to be found, the 2022-2023 handbook has no mention of COVID-19 and there is only an FAQ page that was last updated on September 1, 2022. Some features from this FAQ page include face-covering recommendations, what to do if you test positive, COVID immunization policies, and testing locations.
The change in the COVID-19 policy does reflect other universities' decisions, this includes the closure of the COVID-19 isolation dorms in Arc and Cox Halls for the 2022-2023 school year and their continued closure. Jean Wilwohl the senior director of housing spoke on the decision to close Arc and Cox after shifts in COVID cases, “Because of that we didn’t need a different quarantine building set aside like we needed when vaccinations weren’t readily available to students, we were able to manage the process differently this year”.
Compared to other universities' policies. VCU updates a FAQ site as well, which monitors risk levels and other factors in the Richmond area. They also provide masking information, testing locations, information for those who contract the virus, and a FAQ section.
This includes what to do to get meals when isolated, which the current policy now says to wear a mask in the dining hall. When it comes to this change in meal delivery policies, McWilliams said, “Certainly you can go to the dining hall with a mask on and get a to-go box and take it back to your residence hall and eat it there.” This change reflects CDC guidelines which had previously required a 14-day quarantine where you weren’t supposed to leave your quarantine building. Students can now take the necessary precautions when it comes to leaving isolation to obtain food. However, this information on quarantining can’t be found on Longwood’s website or the student handbook, instead, you receive this information when you email the Longwood care team.
As stated on Longwood’s website, the care team is tasked with connecting students with the right offices for their concerns. Jennifer Fraley, the Dean of Students, explained the process after a student emails the care team, “We have a standard response that goes out to students that includes a web form.” Fraley added that from this form, the care team can send the right information to the right departments like academics and residence life.
