Goddard College Coronavirus Update

January 25, 2023 Update

Goddard College Covid 19 Mitigation Guidelines for Students

Goddard College remains committed to the health and safety of its students and employees. Prevention of illness and the spread of viruses is our top priority.

Goddard College is guided by science, and the research tells us that vaccination of the vast majority of our community will provide the best possible protection against COVID-19. This is critical for communities like ours, where we share living, dining, and learning spaces.

Therefore, we highly recommend that all Goddard College students who will be on any campus at any time be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination. We continue to closely monitor developments of COVID-19 and follow the Center for Disease Control and the Vermont Department of Health guidance. The College will follow Vermont state mandates regarding institutions of higher education when they differ from CDC guidance. We will keep this information updated as circumstances change. Please visit this page often, especially as you near your arrival on campus.

Goddard College provides a virtual option for all of its residencies. Individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness, and those who are not fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), should seriously consider using this option as you prepare for their residency.

In order for us all to be safe, and for all of us to feel safe, there are essential health and safety measures that each member of our community has the responsibility to follow to protect their own health and that of their colleagues. The information below is meant to help members of this community make appropriate decisions and take personal responsibility

If you have questions about Goddard College’s COVID risk mitigation strategy, contact the Student Services Office.

Goddard College’s Vaccination Recommendations

As mentioned, we highly recommend that all students on all Goddard College campuses, be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination prior to arrival. In addition, it is also strongly recommended that students, faculty, and staff get a flu shot.

Masking

Masking practices will follow the mandates of the local jurisdiction. Review the Vermont Department of Health and Plainfield Select Board’s pages for updates on our Vermont campus. Student Services will be working with Student Council Representatives to organize community meetings where we will encourage the Learning Community to agree upon group norms and respectful practices while at residency.

Testing

Community members should come to residency prepared with at least 2 rapid antigen tests or Student Services will assist in acquiring one from a local pharmacy. It is recommended that students get tested (once again), three to five days after completing their residency and/or arriving home.

The CDC explains the types of testing available and recommended here.

*If you are traveling internationally, review the CDC for all international air or land travel Symptoms & Exposure, Isolation & Quarantine.

If you have been exposed in the last 10 days to someone who you know or believe has COVID-19, please do not come to campus. Contact Student Services to arrange for virtual participation.

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways; infected people have reported a wide range of symptoms—from mild to severe.

Below are some of the most common COVID-19 Symptoms:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus, and one can be contagious anytime between 2 days before and 10 days after the day symptoms present.

If someone is showing or experiencing any of the following severe symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately:

Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

If you are experiencing ANY symptoms that might be COVID-related, regardless of your vaccination status:

Contact Student Services and isolate immediately.
Take a rapid antigen test. If the test is negative, remain isolated and repeat the test 36 hours later. If you receive a second negative result for your second test, you may end isolation and return to the community.
If positive, continue isolating, contact your healthcare provider(s), and respond to any contact tracing efforts.

Isolation is required for people who are experiencing symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or are diagnosed with COVID-19, and need to be separated from others to avoid infecting them. Students who test positive and need a safe place to isolate on Vermont’s campus may be moved temporarily to Pratt dorm.

End isolation only when 1) five days have passed since the day symptoms began, AND 2) you have a negative result on a rapid antigen test. AND 3) are asymptomatic or your symptoms are resolving and you have been without fever for 24 hours.

Quarantine is a way for individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19—through close contact with an infected person—to limit their contact with others while it is determined whether they have COVID-19.

If you have had possible exposure to COVID-19:

Contact Student Services.
You must wear a mast for at least ten days following exposure.
For all those exposed, we also recommend getting a PCR test on day five.
If symptoms occur, you should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

Goddard staff are committed to your health and safety, and to ensuring you maximize your learning experience even if you are unwell, isolating, or in quarantine. The Student Services office will help access tests, arrange isolation or quarantine as needed, arrange virtual access to your residency, provide personal check-ins, and offer general support. While we can provide free rapid antigen test kits to students in need, we are unable to provide transportation to PCR testing sites for unvaccinated students.

Social Distancing and Masks/Face Coverings

Following state Health Department recommendations, we encourage you to keep six feet between yourself and others, indoors and outdoors, especially if you are not fully vaccinated and/or are at greater risk for severe symptoms.

Medical/surgical masks will be available in all meeting rooms on campus but/and, regardless of your vaccination status, students should bring masks/face coverings to campus and have at least one on your person at all times.

Even in situations where face coverings are not mandatory, Goddard continues to be a mask-friendly campus: many members of our community will choose to wear face coverings even if not required to, and if so, individuals are supported in their decisions.

Hand Hygiene and Sanitizing

Students should frequently and thoroughly wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least twenty seconds, especially when entering a new area, after being in a public place, or after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching their face.

If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Hand sanitizer will be available inside the entrances to campus buildings, in classrooms, and event spaces.