Weekly COVID-19 Update

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff, 

Thank you all for helping us keep our campus safe. In order to keep our positive numbers and exposures declining, we need everyone to be vigilant and assist us with our mitigation efforts. 

JSU is again extending our face covering requirement indoors on campus. This requirement applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status. 

Exceptions include: 
  • When alone in offices and private workspaces 
  • In residence hall rooms 
  • While actively eating or drinking 
  • While actively engaged in exercise 
As promised, JSU’s Task Force will continue to monitor key data, trends and public health guidance to constantly evaluate this temporary mandate. We will update everyone via email and other platforms should those requirements change. 

Another way to reduce community transmission is to achieve widespread vaccination throughout our campus population. This not only protects our community, but also helps us sustain continued on-campus operations. Faculty, staff and students are always notified of upcoming clinics and other opportunities for vaccination, but www.vaccines.gov is another resource to find those administering doses near you.

Individual appointments may be scheduled on campus at the RMC/JSU Health Center for Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-3 p.m., by calling 256-782-5310. 

Other ways you can help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 include: 
  • Masking: Make sure you are wearing your face coverings properly, over your mouth and nose. 
  • Distancing: Consider your wingspan and give others space. 
  • Hygiene: Wash your hands and clean surfaces after your use, especially in areas of high transmission. 
  • Air Flow: Gathering outside allows wind and air to do the work, dispersing the particles. 
  • Testing: Vaccinated or unvaccinated, if you begin exhibiting symptoms, seek a test at the Student Health Center or with a healthcare provider. 
  • Monitoring: Especially when in areas of high transmission, monitor yourself for symptom onset. 
  • Tracing: Our contact tracers work hard to help keep our campus safe, so please be courteous and answer their calls, texts and emails in a timely manner. 
  • Isolation/Quarantine: Please adhere to the guidance of the contact tracers and the campus protocol for positives and exposures. 
  • Be Kind and Smart: Make note of those around you, potential exposures and areas of risks, so in the event you test positive, they will be informed. 
In order for the university to offer its students a full college experience, we must continue to mitigate COVID-19. We ask for students, staff, and faculty to continue to do their part to limit the spread of the virus. For links to the positive Self Reporting form, exposure protocols and FAQs, please visit jsu.edu/coronavirus

In Service, 

Michael Barton 
Director of Public Safety & COVID-19 Task Force Leader