COVID-19

October 5, 2021: 3 Step Sanctioning Process for Missed COVID-19 Tests

Dear Pomona students,

The number of COVID-19 cases on campus has been low and we want to remain on that course. To that end, I am reaching out to provide details on the sanctioning process associated with missed COVID-19 tests. As you are aware from the Community Agreement you signed, multiple emails and announcements you have already received, all students on campus are required to take a COVID-19 test. Vaccinated and boosted students test once a week, students who are not fully vaccinated are required to test twice a week and orchestra wind players are required to test three times a week.

In recognition of the transition challenges students face during the first two weeks of the semester, these weeks were deemed a grace period and while testing was required and monitored, sanctioning was not imposed. Beginning with the third week of the semester, students who missed tests were notified and warned.

The COVID Prevention and Response Team (CPR) made up of faculty, staff and students had many conversations recently and voted in support of the following three step process for sanctioning.

• Any student who misses one weekly test will be reminded via email by the Dean of Student’s Office to maintain their testing schedule.
• A student who misses two weekly tests (whether consecutive or not) will be given an official warning and be required to meet with their class dean to discuss the importance of getting tested, determine if there are barriers the student is facing that explain multiple missed tests, and ensure that they are aware of the consequences of missing a third test.
• A student who misses a third weekly test will be suspended for the semester. A student who misses three tests is a health risk to themselves and to the community and should not be on campus.

Suspension is a serious consequence, but there are public health implications that impact the entire community that must be considered. With proactive engagement with those who have missed one or two tests, the hope is that the number of students who will face this serious sanction will be low. Please join me in reminding your roommate, classmates, club members and friends to get tested regularly.

Thank you to all who test regularly. We are in this together and we must protect ourselves and our community. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me.

Respectfully,
Dean Hinkson

COVID Updates & Community Agreement

As a student member of the Pomona College community:

• I understand that the College has adopted a series of requirements to promote the collective wellbeing of our community during this period.
• I understand that all coursework, meetings with faculty and staff, and student employment will be conducted in a socially distanced manner with masks and that access to academic buildings, shared academic spaces, and community spaces may be limited.
• I further understand that my ability to enter, work and live on the Pomona campus is conditional on my adherence to this Agreement.
• I acknowledge and agree that these rules and guidelines may be updated as campus conditions and public health guidance across the country evolve.
• I understand that any violation of this agreement may result in sanctions including but not limited to revocation of on-campus housing, loss of campus job, and/or dismissal from the College.

Vaccination and Quarantine Requirements

• If I have been fully vaccinated (including booster) and have uploaded a complete vaccination card or have been pre-approved for a medical or religious exemption, I will be able to enroll in classes for the Fall 2021 semester.
• If I am coming to Pomona College from within the United States and am unvaccinated, I must quarantine for 7 days and take a campus provided COVID test on Day 3 and Day 7. Following the quarantine period, I agree to get fully vaccinated (unless I have a pre-approved religious or medical exemption).
• If I am coming to Pomona College from outside the United States and am unvaccinated, I must quarantine for 7 days and take a campus provided COVID test on Day 3 and Day 7. Following the quarantine period, I agree to get fully vaccinated (unless I have a pre-approved religious or medical exemption).
• During quarantine I will remain in the room assigned to me by Housing and Residence Life. I may not leave the room until my quarantine is complete. Meals and COVID-19 testing kits will be delivered to my door during the quarantine.
• Following quarantine, Housing and Residence Life may re-assign me to a different room depending on housing assignments.  
• Upon arrival to campus, I will present myself for COVID-19 testing at SHS or present a document showing a negative COVID test from the previous 72 hours (and vaccination as applicable) prior to getting my Fall 2021 on- campus residence keys. While waiting for the test results, I will quarantine in that space.

Education, on-campus testing, and contact tracing

• If I am exhibiting any of the following symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/ or diarrhea), I am encouraged to complete the College’s COVID-19 Screening Application located on the College’s portal. Through this application, I will accurately determine whether I exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature check, or if I have knowingly been exposed to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. 
• If I am exhibiting any of the following symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/ or diarrhea), I will call Student Health Services for medical guidance and next steps.
• If I am fully vaccinated (2 weeks after the date of last COVID-19 vaccination), I agree to test on-campus 1 day per week. I may be asked to provide proof of testing before working in Pomona college facilities. If I miss more than one testing appointment, I may be removed from the residence halls, lose my campus job, and/ or be dismissed from the College. 
• If I am not fully vaccinated or have a medical or religious exemption, I agree to test on-campus 2 days per week.  I may be asked to provide proof of testing before working in Pomona college facilities.  If I miss more than one testing appointment, I may be removed from the residence halls, lose my campus job, and/ or be dismissed from the College.   
• I understand that if I have symptoms or if I am knowingly exposed to someone with COVID-19, I will not come to campus. I understand that a designated College official will contact me to review my situation and advise on next steps.  
• If, at any time, I test positive for COVID-19, whether through a test provided by the College or through other venues, I will share accurate and timely information with contact tracers designated by the College about others who may have been exposed.  If I do not cooperate with the contact tracers, I may be removed from the residence halls, lose my campus job, and/or be dismissed from the College. 
• I will assist contact-tracing efforts by providing details regarding where I have been on campus, and I acknowledge that the College will prioritize contact tracing over the pursuit of minor policy violations.  A failure to comply with the request for this information may result in (but not be limited to) revocation of my on-campus housing, loss of my campus job, and/ or dismissal from the College.

Self-isolation, quarantine and preventative health

• If I test positive for COVID-19, I will follow all guidance from Student Health Services and other authorized College and clinical personnel in accordance with College’s public health and self-isolation guidelines and guidance issued by the County of Los Angeles and the State of California.
• Promptly upon discovering any symptoms of COVID-19, I will immediately contact Student Health Services and designated College staff to seek guidance and comply with instructions I am given. 
• If I am found to have been in contact with someone on- or off-campus who has tested positive, I will contact designated College staff or contracted staff to seek guidance and comply with instructions I am given. 
• Students who test positive on campus will be placed in isolation. Those who test positive at roughly the same time may be housed together, however, we can't accept roommate requests. 
• In accordance with new public health guidance, we have shifted to providing antigen tests on the sixth day of isolation (or the following Monday if the sixth day is during the weekend) and if the student test negative, they will be released from isolation. The antigen  test will be provided by Student Health Services and the testing process will be supervised by a medical professional. If the student test positive, they will complete the remainder of their 10-day isolation period. 
• Students will not be released from isolation based on an unofficial antigen testing process (for example, a self-administered home test.)

Physical distancing, face coverings and behavioral requirements while on campus

• Consistent with the California Department of Public Health and the State of California Department of Industrial Relations’ document COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Institutions of Higher Education, I agree to adhere to the following public health practices:  
• I will wear a face mask or facial covering in any areas outside of my assigned residence hall room [i.e., any public areas, including hallways, restrooms (except showers), kitchens and public spaces in other campus buildings].
• If I am in quarantine, I am responsible for cleaning all bathroom spaces. Cleaning supplies will be provided by the College.
• I will practice good hygiene, including thorough and frequent hand washing and/or the use of hand sanitizer, especially when returning from outside, after using a restroom and before meals. 
• I will follow Pomona’s directives for physical distancing in ALL areas of the campus.  
• I understand that kitchens and lounge areas in residence halls will not be open. *some areas have reopened as of October
• To the extent possible, I will avoid sharing high-touch materials, supplies, and equipment.  
• I will keep my contact information and emergency contact information updated with the College.
• I will follow protocols established by Pomona College and the local community to limit exposure to others.

Guests, security and access

• I understand that current Pomona and 7C students are permitted in my assigned residence hall space.  All individuals must adhere to current masking guidelines when in a residence hall space. Revised guidelines from the LA County Public Health Department prohibit the use of cloth masks. Further, LA County requires that all College employees wear a well-fitting medical grade surgical mask or higher-level respirator, such as an N95 or KN95 mask, always while indoors.
• I understand that I may not invite any non-Pomona or 7C individuals (including families) to enter any College buildings until further notice.
• I will not provide access to College buildings to anyone who is not permitted to be on-campus or in the residence halls including family, friends, and Pomona College students who do not have on-campus permission.

Social gatherings

• I understand that indoor social gatherings may take place if they adhere to current masking and distancing guidelines provided by LA County..  Any outdoor social gatherings will be limited by current LA County guidelines on social distancing.    

Accountability and Responsibility:

I understand that to protect the campus community and myself, I must abide by the rules reflected in this Agreement, and as they may be modified by the College from time to time. I understand that violations of the Agreement, including those related to the reporting of identification of symptoms and/or positive test results, quarantining, isolating, hosting unpermitted visitors and hosting prohibited in-person gatherings may result in removal from campus and/or disciplinary action. In addition, I understand that repeated or egregious infractions related to wearing face coverings or physically distancing also may result in removal from campus and/or disciplinary action. All violations of this agreement will be adjudicated through the College’s established COVID board, comprised of Student Affairs administrators and faculty on the Student Affairs Committee.

Powered by Froala Editor