Prevention and Wellbeing

Prevention

During the pandemic, our students, faculty, and staff overwhelmingly made decisions that protected the health and wellbeing of our community. Those choices helped slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect our friends, classmates, and colleagues.

Being vaccinated, staying up-to-date on boosters, wearing a well-fitted mask indoors, getting tested, washing your hands, and staying home if you are sick can all help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Along with these efforts, the University continues its increased cleaning and sanitization efforts in all campus facilities.

Your health and wellbeing can be protected and strengthened with simple, healthy habits.

Continue good health habits to be as safe as possible while on campus:

  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Wear a mask indoors.
  • Practice good personal hygiene such as washing your hands.
  • Continue to use MTest, which provides information about campus and community resources. 
  • Continue to quarantine or isolate yourself if you have COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test. If you are exposed to COVID-19 and you are not fully vaccinated, you should quarantine.

Face Coverings

Beginning May 12, masks are required in posted healthcare settings, in settings where personal protective equipment is required due to environmental or hazardous material conditions, and in isolation and quarantine spaces. Masks are not required in any other indoor or outdoor settings at University-owned locations.

Everyone may wear a mask in settings that do not require them if they choose. We recommend KN95 or N95 masks for greater protection. You may find information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on mask fit and material, as well as information from University Health and Safety (UHS).


Vaccines

Information and resources about vaccine availability can be found on the COVID vaccine webpage.


COVID Testing

  • UMD health services is offering COVID testing for students. Faculty and staff should seek medical resources from their normal healthcare provider. 
  • The U of M is advising all members of our campus communities (students, staff, and faculty) to take steps to notify those persons with whom they have had close contact of possible exposure and the need for testing when they receive a positive test result for COVID-19. Additional information can be found on the UMN Safe Campus website, in the MTest section.

Accommodations

Students, faculty, and staff with underlying health conditions, or those who are older, will have options to mitigate their exposure to the virus, as needed, based on individual circumstances. Please work with your supervisor and/or advisor to find the best options for your situation.


Creating an Inclusive Campus Climate

The University is committed to creating an inclusive climate for all of our community members. The CDC offers guidance on countering stigma related to this virus. We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has, in some cases, resulted in hostile, offensive or intimidating acts directed against individuals because of their perceived race, national origin, age, disability-status, or other protected identity*. These behaviors could constitute prohibited discrimination or harassment under University policy.

We encourage you to contact the appropriate resources listed below if you believe that you have experienced mistreatment because you are perceived to:

  • Be associated with COVID-19 because of your national origin, race, or other protected identity,
  • Have COVID-19 because of a protected identity,
  • Be vulnerable to COVID-19 because of a protected identity, have COVID-19, or have been exposed to COVID-19.

In addition, we recognize that University members must learn and work differently given the current remote learning and working environment. If you believe that you have been denied reasonable accommodations for a disability in the remote working and learning environment, please also contact the appropriate resources listed below:

  • Discrimination, harassment, nepotism, related retaliation by a student -- Katie Jackson, [email protected], 218-726-8969
  • Discrimination, harassment, nepotism, related retaliation by an employee, volunteer, vendor, or visitor -- Corey Christensen, EOAA Associate & Title IX Coordinator, [email protected], (218) 726-8809.