Together Safely
Maintaining a safe and healthy campus for our students, faculty, staff and community members.
Our Together Safely plan for the 2023-24 academic year prioritizes maintaining safe and healthy face-to-face instruction in a residential learning environment. As of May 11, the United States government and the World Health Organization have declared that COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency. Even though the public health emergency has ended, our COVID-19 team will work closely with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD) to monitor coronavirus developments in our region, and establish protocols and mitigation strategies that follow the science. Masking, testing, and vaccinations continue to be important tools to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Guidelines
Masking
Wearing a mask is optional throughout the campus of Albion College with the following exceptions:
- Individuals who recently tested positive for COVID-19 and are exiting their stay-at-home period will be required to mask for a designated period of time. Information will be provided to these individuals by Melissa Sommers when they are released from stay-at-home and can return to in-person class and work.
- If the level of community transmission of COVID-19 in Calhoun County as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is at a High level for a sustained period of time, the COVID-19 team will consult with local health officials regarding implementation of mandatory masking in college buildings.
- Students, Faculty, Staff, and Visitors should be prepared to wear their own personal mask if a mandatory masking policy is implemented.
Testing
Calhoun County Public Health Department (CCPHD) provides access to a database of all COVID-19 testing sites in Michigan. Home tests are available at local pharmacies.
Albion College students, faculty, and staff are eligible to seek COVID-19 testing at the State of Michigan testing center located on Albion College’s Campus in Washington Gardner. Testing is available on a walk-in basis weekly from 12 to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. Testing is free for students.
Free at home test kits are available through the Calhoun County Health Department and can be ordered online or picked up in person.
Albion College students living on campus that are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and can’t locate testing may email Melissa Sommers at msommers@albion.edu. Students will be contacted during regular weekday office hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to assist them in finding a test.
If you test positive for COVID (Students)
Albion College students and employees must notify Melissa Sommers in the Office of Integrated Wellness at msommers@albion.edu or by calling 517-629-0220 if they test positive for COVID.
All students who test positive for COVID will be required to adhere to Calhoun County Public Health Department stay-at-home protocols. The current guidance is to stay home for at least 5 days from the day symptoms begin if testing positive for COVID-19. Melissa Sommers will ask positive students to notify faculty of all COVID-related absences. Students who are working on campus should coordinate any COVID-related absences with their supervisor. Albion College will require students testing positive who live within 2.5 hours of campus to complete their stay-at-home requirement at home rather than in their on-campus housing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on campus. If a student testing positive lives greater than 2.5 hours away, they will remain on campus in their assigned residential space and mask during the stay-at-home period. During this time the student may not attend class or events on campus. Under the new guidance, the roommate of the student who has tested positive for COVID-19 can remain in class but will be required to wear a mask for 5 days.
If you Test positive for COVID (Employees)
Albion College employees who test positive for COVID must stay home and email msommers@albion.edu. Melissa Sommers will ask positive employees to coordinate any COVID-related absences with their supervisor. Melissa Sommers will provide you with further information regarding your return to on campus work.
Employees with questions about COVID symptoms or exposure should email msommers@albion.edu.
Stay at Home Requirement
Albion College follows all Stay at Home guidance issued by the Calhoun County Public Health Department for individuals that test positive or been exposed to COVID.
The current guidance is to stay home for at least 5 days from the day symptoms begin if testing positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status.
Students who test positive for COVID and live in College-owned residential facilities are required to notify Melissa Sommers at msommers@albion.edu.
Melissa Sommers will ask positive students to notify faculty of all COVID-related absences. Students who are working on campus should coordinate any COVID-related absences with their supervisor.
Albion College will require students testing positive who live within 2.5 hours of campus to complete their stay-at-home requirement at home rather than in their on-campus housing to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on campus. If a student testing positive lives greater than 2.5 hours away, they will remain on campus in their assigned residential space and mask during the required stay-at-home period. During this time the student may not attend class or events on campus. Under the new guidance, the roommate of the student who has tested positive for COVID-19 can remain in class but will be required to wear a mask for 5 days.
Vaccines
Albion College Employees and Students are not required to be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination. However, Albion College encourages all employees and students to receive their COVID-19 vaccination and remain up-to-date with booster shots as they become eligible. More information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine can be found on the Calhoun County Public Health Department website.
Albion College will be holding a campus wide vaccine clinic on October 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first floor of the Kellogg Center. Calhoun County Health Department will offer flu and COVID-19 vaccines as well as COVID-19 boosters. More details to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID?
As of May 11 we no longer have close contacts. Please monitor symptoms for 10 days after exposure. Only if you are feeling ill is a test recommended.
How will a student who has to remain on campus receive meals?
Albion College will work with Metz to have boxed meals prepared for the student to pick up. The student will wear a mask and pick up dinner with a continental breakfast and then return the next day to pick up lunch.
What if a student's roommate is not comfortable staying in a room with a COVID positive student?
We will work through these situations on a case by case basis. We want all students to feel safe and comfortable. In this scenario, we will have limited space available for the positive student or the roommate.
Where can I get tested for COVID-19?
With the State of Michigan COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ending and funding potentially being depleted by the end of September, free tests will be harder to find. Oaklawn Express Care will still offer testing, but will bill your insurance. You can also purchase a test at any local pharmacy.
- Family Fare Pharmacy 1406 N. Eaton St, Albion
- Parks Drug Store 318 Superior St, Albion
- While supplies last, the Calhoun County Health Department will have take home tests as well as in office testing available. If you choose to pick up a rapid at home test and it is positive please contact msommers@albion.edu. Calhoun County Health Department is located at 115 Market Place in Albion.
Who do I contact if I test positive for COVID-19?
Students who test positive will go home for their required stay-at-home period and contact Melissa Sommers at msommers@albion.edu for guidance.
What are other campuses doing?
Other residential campuses with congregate living similar to Albion will be following the guidance of their local county. In the Spring of 2023, most campuses in our area stopped offering isolation housing and shifted towards educating students on healthy hygiene, the importance of being vaccinated, staying home when you’re ill, and masking when you’re sick.