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Health & Safety Plan

Thiel College's health and safety plans are based on current guidelines from the CDC, PA Departments of Health and Education, and NCAA. The information below is meant to provide some initial details of our planning in advance of our start and arrival dates for the spring 2022 semester.

Since the end of the fall semester, the College has continued to monitor the virus and public health guidance as we plan for the spring semester.  Based on the higher transmission rate of the omicron variant and updates from our public health department, the College has decided to move the start date of undergraduate classes for the spring semester back several days. We will now begin undergraduate courses on Tuesday, January 18, and residential students will be scheduled to move into campus housing on a staggered schedule on January 16th or 17th to allow for testing of all students (vaccinated and unvaccinated) upon their return to campus. Commuter students will be scheduled to visit campus to be tested during one of those two days as well. (Previously scheduled start date was Wednesday, January 12.)

Given this change, there will be no undergraduate classes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 17) and the originally scheduled dates for Spring Break (March 5-13), Baccalaureate, and Commencement (Sunday, May 8) are not impacted.

Weekly Surveillance Testing: Students who are not fully vaccinated will continue to be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing. Your first weekly surveillance test will be done upon arrival to campus while checking-in with Health Services. Due to the discontinuation of state and federal support to cover testing expenses, a $300 testing fee (per semester) will be added to the student account of those required to participate in surveillance testing.  The fee will be prorated if a student becomes fully vaccinated and/or no longer needs to participate in surveillance testing based on immunity from infection.

Masks/Face Coverings (Policy Updated 03/18/2022):  Masks and face coverings are optional in all indoor settings with exception to classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces in which the occupants of those spaces require or request masks or face coverings.  The College recommends the use of masks or face coverings for anyone who is not fully vaccinated and/or who has health factors that may place them at greater risk for severe COVID-19 infection.

Since there may be situations and spaces in which masks will be needed, everyone should continue to have a mask or face covering in their possession while on-campus.  If someone is wearing a mask in their personal office, visitors should assume the occupant of that office would prefer for guests to wear a mask or face covering and put one on before entering.

Physical Distancing. Physical distancing (maintaining 6-ft. of distance from others) is also strongly encouraged for those who are unvaccinated, at increased risk for severe illness, and/or prefer to have the added protection. The College is not requiring physical distancing at this time, but may need to adjust health and safety protocols should we experience high levels of COVID-19 on-campus or in the surrounding region, and/or if mandated by local, state, or federal authorities.

The safety of Thiel College's students, faculty and staff is our top priority. The College has been proactive in relaying information to students, parents and the entire Thiel community during these unprecedented times. Below are all of the COVID-19 specific campus updates and health guidelines.  For questions about health and safety policies, please contact Campus Health Services at 724-589-2195.

We will continue to share campus updates and information to this page as the situation progresses.

Update:  Vaccine Requirement for Graduate Students in the Physician Assistant and Speech-Language Pathology Program:

All students enrolled in the College’s Physician Assistant and Speech-Language Pathology graduate programs are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.  Students should submit proof of at least partial vaccination to Campus Health Services.  The only exceptions to this policy will include students who receive approval for a medical or religious exemption.  Medical and religious exemptions can be requested through the Thiel College Health Services Office (health_services@thiel.edu or 724-589-2195). 

COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan and Reference Guide

HEERF Act Information