Sharing updated information with the Simpson College community is vital in ensuring the health and wellness of the Simpson Family. You can visit the Simpson College COVID–19 webpage for additional information and updates.
Protocol Education
Simpson College realizes that one key to the entire Simpson community adhering to the guidelines and protocols that have been implemented below is understanding how COVID-19 is spread, the symptoms and risks of COVID-19, and being familiar with Simpson’s protocols. For our protocols to be effective, the entire Simpson community must come together and move forward as #ONESimpson.
Fall 2021 Update
Due to the spike in the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19, the College reinstated mandatory masking for all individuals while inside college buildings Tuesday, Aug. 10. To align with updated CDC guidance, the mandate applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
Future decisions regarding the College's response to the ever-changing nature of the pandemic will be dependent upon accurate data. If you've received the vaccine, submit a photo of your vaccine card via email to healthservices@simpson.edu (students) or mimi.bartley@simpson.edu (faculty and staff). If you prefer, you can also present your vaccine card in-person.
General
Yes. On-campus COVID-19 testing is available to Simpson students, staff, and faculty. Testing takes place at the Campus Services building (410 N 1st St.), located across the street from Station Square. For complete information and to view off-campus testing options, visit simpson.edu/covid-19/covid-19-testing-options.
Health and Well-Being
Wash your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- It’s especially important to wash:
- Before eating or preparing food
- Before touching your face
- After using the restroom
- After leaving a public place
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- After handling your cloth face covering
- After changing a diaper
- After caring for someone sick
- After touching animals or pets
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
Inside your home/residence hall:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
- Outside your home/residence hall: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk.
Cover your mouth and nose with a face cover when around others
- You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
Cover coughs and sneezes
- Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Do not spit.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean and disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
- Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.
Monitor Your Health Daily
- Simpson College will require all students, faculty and staff that will be on campus to monitor and report their health via a Moodle Check-in.
Academics
Classrooms are being held in-person at 100% capacity as of the start of the Fall 2021 semester. Face coverings are required in classrooms and all indoor public spaces.
Campus Activities and Events
Campus activities and events are back! All campus activities are being held at full capacity. Face coverings are required for all indoor activities.
Housing and Dining
Masks are required within the residential buildings other than in your own room/apartment or shower. In-room visitation is limited to no more than twice the occupancy of the room. For example, if you live in a two-person room, you can have no more than four people in the room at any given time.
Isolation/Quarantine Protocols
We know that, even with everyone in the Simpson community closely adhering to our health protocols, there is a chance that someone will contract COVID-19. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you will be required to isolate. If you have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, you will be required to quarantine. Key elements of isolation/quarantine include:
- Students required to isolate/quarantine will be encouraged to do so at home. If unable to return home, for any variety of reasons, student will follow the on campus protocol explained below:
- Temporarily move to a space on campus set aside for isolation/quarantine.
- Spaces set aside for isolation/quarantine provide access to private or minimally-shared bathrooms.
- Food will be delivered to students at their on-campus place of isolation/quarantine.
- Students will receive support from Health Services and Counseling Services during isolation and quarantine.
- ALL PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL.