COVID-19 health and safety expectations

As of Nov. 1, 2022, COVID-19 vaccinations are no longer required of students, employees, contractors, volunteers, or visitors on campus. However, SPU continues to encourage our community to stay up to date on their vaccinations.  Additionally, health care and long-term care providers may continue to require that SPU students and employees be vaccinated (i.e., nursing practicums at local hospitals).

What is a face covering?

A mask or face covering is anything that completely covers your mouth and nose, and fits securely on the sides of your face and under your chin. It should be made of two or more layers of tightly woven fabric with ties or straps that go around your head or behind your ears.

The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a mask with the best fit, protection, and comfort to protect you and others from COVD-19, especially when COVID-19 community levels are “medium” or “high.” The Washington State Department of Health does not recommend the use of masks with exhalation valves or vents, or single layer bandanas or gaiters.

SPU’s rules regarding face coverings

As of March 12, 2022, face coverings are not required on campus, except in limited circumstances. Individuals may still choose to wear face coverings on campus for any reason. Specifically, face coverings are required in the following spaces and situations:

• Student Health Services.
• The Athletics Trainer area.
• Any space with a sign posted by the Office of Facility and Project Management identifying it as a space that still requires face coverings.
• Meeting in an individual office when requested by the employee who works in that office and signage is posted.
• When directed by Health Services personnel.
• When you have COVID-19 symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 in accordance with SPU Isolation/Quarantine Protocols.

Face coverings are not required if an exception in the Order of the Secretary of Health 20-03.10 (PDF) applies. Notwithstanding what is written above, SPU reserves the right to require face coverings of all people regardless of vaccination status in certain situations. SPU’s rules regarding face coverings are intended to meet state and local legal requirements (as applicable).

SPU generally does not require physical distancing for people on campus. However, SPU may impose physical distancing requirements in certain circumstances (e.g., buildings with limited ventilation).

In general, SPU does not have COVID-19 limitations on the size of social gatherings or in-person meetings.

No person should come to SPU’s campus if any of the following apply:

• Such person is feeling sick, including if such person is experiencing any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 (e.g., fever or chills, cough, congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea). For this purpose, fever is a temperature of 100.4°F or higher.
• Such person has tested positive for SARS CoV2, with or without symptoms, in the last five days. Follow SPU Isolation/Quarantine Protocols and the Reporting Positive COVID-19 Tests and Contact Tracing policy below.

Each person who does not live on campus should perform self-screening each day before coming to campus, and each person who lives on campus should perform self-screening each day before using any campus facilities other than their residential units.

Notwithstanding the self-screening expectation stated above, individuals who come to SPU's campus for the purpose of receiving a COVID-19 test from Curative are permitted on campus solely to receive the test, so long as they are only on campus for the time needed to be tested and do not go anywhere else on campus.

If you test positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status, follow the SPU isolation/quarantine protocols and the reporting instructions below:

Students on SPU’s campus who test positive for COVID-19 should notify SPU Health Services through the secure messaging patient portal. SPU Health Services will coordinate any contact necessary with other campus personnel. This may mean that the student may make the contacts. SPU Health Services will report cases to local public health authorities and coordinate any necessary cooperation with such agencies. SPU facilities personnel will report cases to state Labor and Industries authorities as necessary.

Employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors on SPU’s campus who test positive for COVID-19 should contact their appropriate supervisory person/body and Human Resources. Human Resources at hr@spu.edu or 206-281-2809. Human Resources will coordinate any communication with SPU Health Services. SPU Health Services will report cases to local public health authorities and coordinate any necessary cooperation with such agencies. SPU facilities personnel will report cases to Labor and Industries authorities as necessary

SPU students and employees who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 may be required to be tested, at the discretion of SPU Health Services or Human Resources, regardless of vaccination status.  

SPU does not require periodic testing of students or employees who are not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

All persons on SPU’s campus should practice good hygiene. Good hygiene practices include washing hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (e.g., before and after going to the bathroom, before and after eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose); not touching your face with unwashed hands or while wearing gloves; using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol; cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces on campus; and covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Students living in residence halls may use kitchenettes on their floors and employees working in university buildings may use kitchenettes for their offices, including microwaves and refrigerators. 

Also, students and employees are permitted to have shared food at campus events. In these types of situations, all students and employees are still encouraged to follow good hygiene practices and take safety precautions such as wiping high-touch surfaces before and after use with disinfecting wipes; minimizing touching of fixtures; not refilling used cups and glasses; not sharing dish sponges, scrubbers, cups, glasses, and silverware; and serving shared food and drink in a way that avoids the potential spread of germs. Higher-risk individuals should exercise special care in any shared food or shared food preparation or eating situations.

Food is not permitted in laboratories on campus.

SPU students, employees, contractors, visitors, and volunteers should follow all other applicable COVID-19 rules and requirements imposed by government agencies while on campus, except to the extent that SPU policies are more restrictive.

Deans should monitor faculty activities; supervisors should monitor employee activities in their areas; employees who oversee contractors or volunteers should monitor their activities; and employees who interact with students or visitors should monitor their activities for compliance with SPU’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Expectations on campus. 

SPU students, employees, contractors, volunteers, and visitors will not be permitted to remain on campus if they do not comply with these expectations.

Questions can be emailed to SPU’s COVID-19 Decision Group at COVID19plan@spu.edu.