April 28, 2021 – Graduate and professional student Return to Campus Update
COVID-19 public dashboard update
The COVID-19 asymptomatic positive rate for the week of April 18–24 is 0.12 percent, an increase from the previous week. The Vanderbilt community is strongly encouraged to remain vigilant in following all safety protocols.
Vanderbilt to keep masking, physical distancing protocols in place
The CDC announced yesterday new guidelines regarding outdoor masking for vaccinated individuals when alone or in small groups. Vanderbilt’s COVID-19 safety protocols and mask requirements on and off campus will remain the same, whether you are currently vaccinated or not.
We will announce any changes to protocols after the COVID-19 safety protocols working group submits its recommendations in May.
Have you gotten your vaccine yet?
We strongly encourage you to be vaccinated in order to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community. VUMC is now offering Pfizer vaccinations, provided in two doses, 21 days apart, to all Vanderbilt community members. At this time, on-campus residents who have not already scheduled their vaccine through VUMC will not be on campus long enough to receive the two shots before the residence halls close (May 12 for non-graduating students and May 16 for graduating students). Please seek out other options through vaccinefinder.org.
Importance of submitting your vaccination record
The university is working to determine the number of faculty, staff and students who have received a COVID-19 vaccine to create a plan for a safe return to campus for the fall 2021 semester. An accurate assessment of our community’s vaccination status is needed to inform protocols moving forward. The vaccine tracker is protected so that your information is safe. Click on the vaccine tracker/submission form.
Testing center closed May 2
The COVID-19 asymptomatic testing center will be closed on Sunday, May 2, because of the 2020 graduate and professional Commencement celebrations taking place nearby. Individuals who typically test on Sunday are welcome to visit the testing center another day that week to test, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Spring semester testing through May 11
The asymptomatic testing program will continue through Tuesday, May 11. Graduate students who are in the asymptomatic testing program are required to test during their regularly scheduled times through May 11. Graduate students who have been learning remotely and will be returning to campus for Commencement are encouraged to visit the testing center May 9–11, but it is not required.
Summer COVID-19 testing
Asymptomatic testing will resume on May 17 for those who will need to be on campus over the summer. Individuals who are required to test as a part of the asymptomatic testing program in the summer will receive communications separately.
- Summer hours will be Monday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m., and Tuesday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–1 p.m.