Campus Health and Safety

The information on this page is updated as new information is available, and as federal, state and local public health guidance changes. For the latest information, please check back regularly. Last updated: January 12, 2023.

All campus facilities and buildings have returned to pre-pandemic access and campus operations have transitioned back to pre-pandemic levels.

Students and employees on campus are expected to practice personal safety protocols; and, in certain work situations, employees may be required to do so.

Community standards

Follow these steps and encourage others to follow them to keep our community healthy and safe:

1. Get a COVID-19 vaccine and booster.
2. Practice good personal hygiene and if you feel sick, stay home.
3. Know your wellness resources and reach out if you need assistance. 

If you feel sick

To prevent illness, practice good personal hygiene. Read more: CDC’s When and How to Wash Your Hands guidance

• Stay home, monitor your symptoms and get a COVID-19 test.
• Students should communicate with their faculty to arrange for short-term remote options.
• Employees should communicate with their supervisors or department chairs to arrange for short-term remote options.
• If you become concerned about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
• Visit the university’s Isolation and Exposure page for actions and precautions to take if you test positive for COVID-19 or were exposed. 

Read more: CDC’s What to Do If You Are Sick guidance

Current COVID-19-related leave options, disability accommodations and remote work considerations

• Employees should review the Office of Human Resources’ COVID-19 webpage for the most recent guidance.
• Employees with general questions or concerns, should speak first with their supervisor, and if needed, Human Resources.

Disability accommodations

• Students or employees who need a disability accommodation due to health-related concerns should complete the applicable Accommodation Request Procedure. Requests are reviewed confidentially on a case-by-case basis by the Office of Disability Resources.
• CDC recommends that individuals with underlying medical conditions associated with higher risk for severe COVID-19 continuing personal protective preventative measures, including vaccination, wearing a face covering, social distancing and practicing hand hygiene.

Read more: CDC’s People with Certain Medical Conditions guidance

Remote work considerations

• Decisions regarding flexible work schedules, including teleworking arrangements, are case-by-case management decisions, based on a number of considerations such as operational needs, job duties, work performance, IT security, etc., as they were prior to the pandemic.
• Review Office of Human Resources Flexible Work Arrangements page for more information.

Mental and emotional well-being

App State provides wellness resources for students and employees. 

In addition, students and employees are invited to become Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA)! The MHFA program gives individuals the tools and skills to help people experiencing mental health challenges. 

CDC also provides guidance for coping during COVID-19, which includes:

• Take breaks from social media and from watching, reading or listening to news stories if you are feeling overwhelmed or distressed.
• Do what you can to eat healthy foods, exercise, get adequate sleep and find time to unwind.
• Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Review CDC’s Stress and Coping guidance or contact the National distress hotline: 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746.