Coronavirus (COVID-19) Communications

Dear Butler Community,

Given the rapid decline of COVID-19 cases, Butler University is making face masks optional across campus, including classrooms, dining areas, and residence halls, effective Wednesday, March 2. Some faculty members may continue to require face masks in their classrooms.

Throughout the pandemic, Butler University has consistently relied on our internal and external experts to inform our decision-making—which includes our transition to a face mask optional policy after requiring masks for the better part of two years. Since the beginning of the spring semester, the number of positive COVID-19 cases on our campus has steadily declined, with four active cases as of today. Given the current state of the virus on campus, our high campus vaccination rate, and no new, concerning variants on the horizon according to our experts, we are comfortable with the decision to make masking optional as another step toward greater normalcy.

Our decision is further supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which yesterday eased its guidelines on COVID-19 masking, including at schools.

We know that COVID-19 remains in our lives, and many students, faculty, and staff will continue to wear masks. Please be respectful of their situation and individual decisions. As always, we will remain guided by the latest science and our medical experts, and we will adapt our policies as appropriate.

Booster Clinic

Butler University will host a third COVID-19 vaccination booster clinic Wednesday, February 2 from 11:00 AM–5:00 PM in the Health and Recreation complex (HRC) lobby. Community Health Network professionals will once again administer Pfizer-BioNTech booster shots for all interested students, faculty, staff and Butler affiliates.

Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination booster is highly encouraged for all Butler University students, faculty and staff. According to the CDC, you are eligible for a booster shot if it has been at least five months since your last dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, or at least two months since receiving your Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccination.

You can schedule an appointment for your vaccination booster shot via our registration website. Appointments are limited and expected to be filled very quickly. Please remember to bring your immunization card with you to your appointment.

Action requested: Please upload a photo of your booster immunization card via the Butler Health Portal by following these simple instructions. This data will help us further monitor the prevalence of breakthrough infections on campus. 

COVID-19 Testing

Although COVID-19 testing availability remains limited across the country, Health Services has ample supplies to continue COVID-19 testing for students in HRC Room 001. Appointments are not necessary, but please refrain from arriving in groups.

Additionally, the US Government announced earlier this week that all US residential households are eligible to receive four at-home COVID-19 test kits. It is unclear at this time if the US Postal Service will deliver the kits to campus addresses, so you might consider having them sent to your permanent home address. You can request the test kits via the US Postal Service website.

As a reminder, if you test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms, you are required to report your status to Health Services using the Health Reporting Form.

On-Campus Cases and Isolation

Although COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly across the country due to the Omicron variant, many health experts are predicting that we will see a decrease in active cases in the coming weeks. The good news is that individuals who are vaccinated typically experience relatively mild symptoms. As reported on our University COVID-19 Dashboard, we currently have 101 active student cases (representing slightly more than two percent of our student population) and two active employee cases (down 18 percent and 85 percent from the previous week, respectively).

As a reminder, vaccinated individuals are not required to isolate/quarantine unless they have developed symptoms. Students who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to isolate at their permanent residence or in Ross Hall for a minimum of five days. Currently, Ross Hall is at 33 percent capacity, and we have never exceeded more than 40 percent capacity since the pandemic began in March 2020.

The University continues to take appropriate measures to address the Omicron variant and mitigate the spread of the virus. Testing of students has continued, sick students are seen by healthcare providers on campus, isolation housing remains well under capacity, the Health Reporting Form and contact tracing continue to be a valuable assets, free N95 masks are available to all students and employees, and our high vaccination rate has prevented serious illness for most people who have tested positive. Most importantly, our community continues to do its part by reporting symptoms and positive tests, staying away from others if they aren’t feeling well, and following our face mask policy.

Thank you for continuing to do your part.

Sincerely,
Butler University

Dear Butler Community,

Happy New Year! As we begin the spring semester next week, we have some important information to share with you regarding our COVID-19 plans.

Spring semester will start as planned on January 10. 
Butler University remains committed to providing our students with a full residential, on-campus experience, including in-classroom instruction. We are confident that we can do so responsibly, given that our vaccination rates are above 95 percent among our students, faculty, and staff.

Face masks are required indoors until further notice. 
Students are not required to wear masks in their rooms, and faculty/staff are not required to wear masks when alone in their individual offices. We will follow Marion County Public Health Department requirements for events at Hinkle Fieldhouse and the Butler Arts and Events Center, as well as requirements by performing artists.

The CDC’s most recent guidance recommends that people wear masks, including cloth ones that are multilayered and tightly woven. However, many professionals in the field are recommending certain masks, such as surgical and N95 masks, or double-masking as more effective ways to protect people from the Omicron variant. Please remember that all masks need to be worn over your mouth and nose.

The University has secured N95 masks for our campus community. Beginning on Monday, January 10, students can pick up a mask at the campus bookstore or the Health and Recreation Complex. For employees, face masks will be delivered to a designated person in each department for broader distribution.

Booster shots are highly encouraged.
We highly encourage all students, faculty, and staff (especially those who are high risk) to get a COVID-19 vaccination booster shot. We administered more than 1,000 boosters through our campus vaccination clinics at the end of last semester, and we plan to host additional clinics throughout the spring semester. Details will be communicated at a later date. In the meantime, you can visit www.vaccines.gov to locate and schedule a COVID-19 vaccination booster shot.

Action requested: Please upload a photo of your booster immunization card via the Butler Health Portal by following these simple instructions. This data will help us further monitor the prevalence of breakthrough infections on campus.  

The isolation time period is shortened from ten days to five days. 
Per the latest CDC guidance, people infected with COVID-19 can end their isolation period after five days if they are asymptomatic or if their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours). The change is supported by scientific research which indicates that the majority of transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after symptoms are detected.

Weekly testing of non-vaccinated students will continue.
Unvaccinated people have the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 and severe illness. Weekly testing of unvaccinated students (as well as ongoing testing of symptomatic students) is an important part of our mitigation process.

Health Reporting Form is still required in certain cases.  
Students, faculty, and staff who experience symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19 are required to complete the Health Reporting Form. We will resume updating the COVID-19 dashboard on our website every Friday beginning January 14.

As always, we will continue to closely monitor the situation and adapt our policies and procedures as appropriate when new information becomes available. Please continue to exercise good judgment as we start the spring semester and we look forward to having you back on campus.

All the best in the new year,

Butler University

Dear Butler Community,

As reported today on our COVID-19 dashboard, we currently have 49 active COVID-19 cases among our student population, representing an increase of 40 cases from a week ago. In light of this information, we wanted to provide some additional context regarding the positive cases and continued actions we are taking to aggressively mitigate the spread of the virus on campus.

• The positive COVID-19 cases include a combination of vaccinated and unvaccinated students; however, none of the students are experiencing severe illness, of which our 95 percent vaccination rate is likely a contributing factor.
• The majority of students who have tested positive for COVID-19 live off-campus. Additionally, many of the on-campus cases are with students residing in a single Greek house. We know from experience that, through no fault of the students residing in campus fraternities and sororities, the virus is more easily transmitted in communal living settings.
• As a result, and in consultation with medical experts, whenever multiple individuals living in a Greek house contract COVID-19, we will assess the situation and require testing of all individuals residing in that house, if warranted.

This spike in positive cases is a very real reminder that the pandemic is not over, even with our high vaccination rates. Please be vigilant and make smart decisions, such as properly wearing your mask and frequently washing your hands. Thank you for doing your part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on our campus.

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to the start of the new academic year!

It is so wonderful to see our new and returning students on campus. From our move-in weekend, through Welcome Week and the first days of class, there is great vibrancy and excitement on our campus. We remain cautiously optimistic that if everyone remains vigilant with our established COVID-19 policies and protocols, we can successfully have the in-person residential campus experience that we all want. To that end, I have a few important updates that I would like to share.

COVID-19 Dashboard

Our website includes a dashboard containing the percentage of students and employees who are fully-vaccinated, the number of active positive student and employee cases, and the cumulative student and employee cases throughout the semester. The dashboard was updated last Friday and will be updated every Friday throughout the semester. We expect our vaccination percentages to increase as more community members get fully vaccinated.

Isolation and Quarantine Protocols

• Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should stay in their residence and report their symptoms via the Health Reporting Form. A member of our Health Services staff will contact you to schedule a COVID-19 test.
• Any student testing positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate either off-campus at home or on campus in Ross Hall for 10 days. Students who are tested off-campus are expected to immediately report positive test results via the Health Reporting Form, so Butler Health Services can reach out to you to perform contact tracing.
• Unvaccinated students who are deemed a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case are required to quarantine for 10 days. These students will be called by our contact tracing staff with more information.
• Fully vaccinated students who are deemed a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine unless they become positive for COVID-19, which is then considered isolation.
• If you are required to isolate or quarantine, your faculty members will be notified, and you will not be penalized for missing class. You should work with your faculty member to make arrangements for completing course requirements.
• No one is required to quarantine if they are a close contact of a close contact of someone who has tested positive (e.g., your roommate was in close contact with someone who tested positive).

COVID-19 Testing Protocols

As part of our ongoing efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, unvaccinated students will be tested weekly throughout the semester. The date, time, and location of this surveillance testing will be communicated directly to the students who are required to participate.

All students exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be tested. If you are experiencing symptoms, please schedule an appointment by emailing healthservices@butler.edu.

Face Masks

Face masks are required indoors until further notice. Additionally, we are in the process of distributing disposable masks to common spaces and other high-traffic areas throughout campus.

The well-being of our students has always been, and will remain, our top priority. Though the Delta variant has presented hurdles to our plans as we start the academic year, we are nevertheless off to a great start. I am encouraged by the high percentage of students who have submitted proof of full vaccination, which is our top defense against COVID-19. Still, we will be living with the virus for the foreseeable future, and we must all remain vigilant in protecting ourselves and others against it.

Thank you for your continued commitment to the health and safety of our Butler community. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact campusupdates@butler.edu.

Sincerely,

Frank E. Ross III, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As we enter our first full week of classes, I’d like to provide some important information about our COVID-19 policies and protocols. For your awareness, a similar message was sent to students and families today from Dr. Frank E. Ross, Vice President for Student Affairs.

COVID-19 Dashboard

Our website includes a dashboard containing the percentage of students and employees who are fully vaccinated and the number of active positive cases, cumulative cases, and quarantined students and employees. The dashboard was updated last Friday and will be updated every Friday throughout the semester. We expect our vaccination percentages to increase as more community members get fully vaccinated.

Isolation and Quarantine Protocols

• Anyone who is sick should stay home and contact their health care provider for evaluation and testing.
• Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate at home for 10 days and is expected to immediately report positive cases via the Health Reporting Form, so Butler Health Services can perform contact tracing.
• Unvaccinated individuals who are identified as being a close contact of a positive case are required to quarantine at home for 10 days; vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine (and can continue their normal work routine) unless they develop symptoms.
• No one is required to quarantine if they are a close contact of a close contact of someone who has tested positive (e.g., your spouse/child was in close contact with someone who tested positive).

COVID-19 Testing Protocols

Unvaccinated students were tested as part of the move-in process and will be tested weekly throughout the semester. As conditions allow, employees will have the option to access COVID-19 testing through the University. For more information please email healthservices@butler.edu.

Faculty Notifications

Students who are in COVID-related isolation or quarantine, as determined by Health Services, are not allowed to attend class in person. The Dean of Students will notify the appropriate faculty when a student is unable to attend class due to quarantine or isolation. These students should not be penalized for missing class and should work with the faculty member to make arrangements for completing course requirements.

Face Masks

Face masks are required indoors until further notice. Additionally, we are in the process of distributing disposable masks to common spaces and other high-traffic areas throughout campus.

Employee Concerns

Employees who have special COVID-19 related circumstances that prevent them from being on campus (e.g., young children who are in quarantine) should consult with their supervisor to make appropriate arrangements to ensure continuation of work. If you have any questions or concerns about any employee-related items, please contact your Human Resources representative or email askhr@butler.edu.

We remain cautiously optimistic that we will deliver the residential college experience that our students and families expect and deserve. As you know, the pandemic is not over, so we appreciate your continued vigilance with our health and safety efforts. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments, as appropriate. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Brent Rockwood
Vice President and Chief of Staff

Beginning Monday, August 9, we are instructing all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including vaccinated individuals) to wear a mask indoors when in the presence of others. This update is consistent with guidance from the CDC and local public health officials; more importantly, we want to ensure that we start the academic year safely and successfully as we prepare for a full return to all normal campus activities. We will evaluate this new policy on a weekly basis, as it is our intention to relax the policy as soon as feasible.

All students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus will be required to wear masks in:

• Classrooms and lab spaces
• Hallways, public spaces, and common areas
• Dining areas, unless seated and eating
• Shared offices and conference rooms, when social distancing is not possible
• Health & Recreation Complex

Masks are not required to be worn outdoors. Students are not required to wear masks in their rooms, and faculty/staff are not required to wear masks in their individual offices.

COVID-19 Vaccination Rates on Campus

We know that the vaccine is our best defense against the virus, and we are pleased to report that approximately 85 percent of students have already been fully vaccinated as we approach the beginning of the academic year. Additionally, an equal percentage of full-time and regular part-time faculty and staff have already been fully vaccinated. We expect those numbers to increase in the coming weeks, as many people have indicated that they have received their first dose of the vaccine and will receive their second dose soon, while others have informed us that they will get vaccinated soon after returning to campus.

Action Needed: For Individuals Who Have Not Submitted Documentation  

We know that some students, faculty, and staff have been vaccinated but have not yet provided proof of vaccination. Please upload a photo of your COVID-19 immunization card via the Butler health portal by following these simple instructions as soon as possible.

Students who would like to request an exemption from the vaccination requirement should complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Request Form and send the form to healthservices@butler.edu with the subject “COVID-19 Exemption Request.” Faculty and staff should complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Request Form and send it to benefits@butler.eduwith the subject “COVID-19 Exemption Request.”

Please remember that all Butler University students, faculty, and staff are required to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or request an exemption from the vaccination requirement, no later than Sunday, August 1.

You can easily upload a photo of your immunization card via the Butler health portal by following these simple instructions.

All students, faculty, and staff who provide proof of full vaccination by August 1 will be eligible to win a $25 Starbucks gift card. We will randomly select 75 students and 25 employees and inform winners next week.

For those who have not yet been fully vaccinated, you still have an opportunity to do so on campus every Friday through August 20 from 2:00–4:00 PM. Please register in advance to receive your first and/or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Walk-in appointments are not guaranteed. To find out if extra doses are available the day of the clinic, please email vaccine@butler.edu.

To find a vaccination clinic near you, please visit Vaccines.gov.

Butler Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

This communication provides important information about our COVID-19 vaccination requirement that was announced last week.

Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination

Students, faculty, and staff are expected to have their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by August 1, 2021. If you have already provided a copy of your vaccination card to Health Services, there is no need to take further action. If you have not provided your vaccination card, please upload a copy on the Butler health portal by following these simple instructions.

COVID-19 Vaccination Incentives

All students, faculty, and staff who receive their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and provide their vaccine cards by August 1 will be eligible to win a $25 Starbucks gift card. We will randomly select 75 students and 25 employees with winners informed the week of August 2. Anyone who has already provided proof of vaccination will be automatically entered into the drawing; there is no additional action needed on your part.

Butler COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

Students, faculty, staff, and campus affiliates will have the opportunity to get vaccinated on campus every Friday starting on July 9 through August 20 from 2:00–4:00 PM.

You can register to receive your first and/or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on campus by registering online here. Walk-in appointments will not be accepted. There is no cost for COVID-19 vaccinations and you do not have to show proof of health insurance.

Students who cannot come to campus over the summer should get vaccinated in their home countries or states prior to arriving on campus for the beginning of the fall semester. However, we realize that may not be possible for some students. Butler is attempting to secure additional doses of the vaccine so that we can provide opportunities to get vaccinated on campus at the beginning of the semester. We will provide further information about those opportunities as details become available. Please be aware that individuals who are not fully vaccinated will be required to adhere to certain policies and protocols for unvaccinated individuals.

Additional information

Please visit our COVID-19 page and a list of Frequently Asked Questions on our website for additional information about our COVID-19 vaccination policy, including requests for exemptions. If you have questions that are not addressed in the FAQs, please email them to campusupdates@butler.edu. If you have questions specifically regarding the on-campus vaccination clinics, please email your question to vaccine@butler.edu.

Dear Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

Butler University is announcing today that the COVID-19 vaccine is required for all students, faculty, and staff. I am personally writing this message because this is truly one of those “the buck stops here” decisions that I reached after careful consideration of a broad range of facts, opinions, and recommendations from many sources. The reality is, there is not unanimity of opinion on an ideal vaccination approach, even among those who have effectively managed our COVID-19 responses to date. I hope that some insights into my thinking may be helpful especially for those of you who have taken time to share your thoughts and advice, including those who may disagree with this decision.

As an academic institution, we depend on research and science, and we are fortunate that our University has many experts in the health sciences field, both within our own community and the greater Indianapolis area, to help guide us. While there are many good reasons I can cite in support of vaccination, including our institutional responsibility for public health consequences during a pandemic and the high degree of confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine based on millions of doses administered, one of the most compelling for me centers on our teaching mission. In addition to discussions with students, parents, and others, I have spoken with several faculty and academic leaders who have expressed a strong desire that classroom participants be vaccinated.

It is quite clear to me that requiring the vaccine best supports an environment that allows us to provide an educational experience that is most effective, with the highest degree of safety, and the least number of restrictions. Regarding the environment outside of the classroom, I am confident that we will be able to fully restore a vibrant on-campus experience, allowing our students to return to pre-pandemic activities.

As for the decision to include faculty and staff, and not limit the requirement to students who are more susceptible to the spread of the virus given that most live together, I firmly believe it is our collective responsibility to support our teaching mission. We are in this together and I see no reason to differentiate or divide us on this requirement. For what we envision as we return in August, most of us will mingle on campus and the same expectations for maximizing health and safety should apply to all of us.

Let me assure you that I, along with key members of the Butler community representing all campus constituent groups, have closely considered a wide range of medical and scientific research and information, including articles, emails, and opinions that have come our way. However, the time for discussion and deliberation is over as we must turn our attention to preparing for our students’ return in August.

Please visit our website for further details about our COVID-19 vaccination requirement, including timing, compliance, and how to request an individual exemption. I thank you for your time and support.

Best regards,

James M. Danko
President, Butler University