Lewis & Clark is committed to providing in-person education and support to students in a close-knit campus community. We are also committed to the health of our community, and will take necessary steps to promote public health and protect members of our community whenever possible. Although no college campus can guarantee a COVID-free environment, we can greatly minimize the risks of COVID with appropriate mitigation measures, such as widespread vaccination. Our approach to COVID is based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance to colleges and universities, as well as guidance from the Oregon Health Authority and county public health officials. As the pandemic continues to evolve, and relevant guidance changes, we will update these policies and provide necessary information to the campus community.
Vaccination is the leading prevention strategy to protect individuals from COVID-19 disease and end the COVID-19 pandemic. Current COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States are safe and effective, widely accessible in the U.S., and available at no cost to all people living in the U.S. Learn more about the Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine.
All Lewis & Clark students are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or obtain an approved exemption, in order to attend classes beginning Fall 2021. Our Student COVID-19 Vaccination Policy and Vaccination Policy FAQ provide further information. Students who are unable, prior to campus arrival, to access a vaccine listed by the World Health Organization must contact covid19info@lclark.edu for individualized guidance.
All faculty, staff, and visitors are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. All employees are required to provide the College with information regarding their vaccination status so that we can accurately assess health risks on campus. Employees may use work time in order to get vaccinated. As of July 15, approximately 97% of our full-time faculty and staff who have provided such information have provided evidence of full vaccination. (Approximately 5% have not yet provided information; in most cases, these are individuals who are not regularly in contact with the College during the summer.) We expect to achieve and maintain a very high level of vaccination among all employees.
Lewis & Clark respects and supports any student, staff, or faculty member’s choice to continue to wear a mask on campus for any reason and at any time.
Consistent with CDC guidance, masks are required on buses and other forms of public transportation, including the Pioneer Express, regardless of vaccination status.
Fully vaccinated persons are not required to wear face coverings in any other setting.
Persons who are not fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear a mask in all indoor public places. This is consistent with current CDC guidance. This applies to anybody who is not vaccinated for any reason—whether for medical, religious, or other reasons—except when eating or drinking or when in a private office or residential area.
In addition, persons who are not vaccinated may be required to wear face coverings in certain circumstances, such as at events where a significant number of persons are expected to congregate in a small area; events at which a significant number of persons are likely to have recently traveled; events, activities, or classes that include or are likely to include other unvaccinated persons or persons who are immunocompromised; and small areas with poor ventilation. Students, employees, and visitors can be required to provide proof of vaccination in order to participate in an event, or enter an area, without a face covering. Individual departments or event organizers, with the approval of the relevant vice president or dean, are responsible for communicating such requirements where and when they apply.
All persons with weakened immune systems are strongly encouraged to continue to wear masks and observe physical distancing, consistent with current CDC guidance. Such persons are encouraged to talk with their healthcare providers to discuss their activities and precautions they may need to keep taking to prevent COVID-19. Students with underlying health conditions or who are immunocompromised are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Office of Student Accessibility if an accommodation may be necessary. Employees who are immunocompromised are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Human Resources if an accommodation may be necessary.
The College will return to full capacity in-person learning and student service in Fall 2021.
Previous campus-wide restrictions on events and crowd sizes are no longer in effect. Individual departments or event organizers may establish limits as necessary.
Crowded settings present a greater risk of transmission among people who are not fully vaccinated. People who are not fully vaccinated should continue to avoid large gatherings, but if they choose to attend, they are strongly encouraged to wear masks that cover the mouth and nose, maintain physical distancing, and practice good hand hygiene. All events on campus are subject to the requirements above regarding face coverings.
The Lewis & Clark campus is no longer closed to members of the public.
All visitors to campus are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated, and are subject to the requirements above regarding face coverings. Unvaccinated visitors to residence halls are required to wear face coverings and maintain physical distancing. Visitors to residence halls may be required to provide evidence of vaccination status to College officials.
Faculty, staff and students coming to campus after international or cruise ship (including river cruise) travel are expected to comply with CDC recommendations for self-quarantine and testing before returning to campus.
Students, faculty, and staff members who have not provided the College with evidence of full vaccination—whether for medical, religious or other reasons—are subject to surveillance testing for COVID-19 at any time at the discretion of the College. Any unvaccinated student, faculty, or staff member who fails to comply with a request from the College to undergo COVID testing is subject to disciplinary action.
For students with symptoms of COVID, the Lewis & Clark Health Service offers medical consultation for COVID, and providers can refer students for rapid testing (nasal swabs) conducted on-site using Abbott ID-NOW testing technology.
All members of the Lewis & Clark Community, including those who are vaccinated, are expected to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms each day before coming to campus. Individuals are to stay at their residence if they have COVID-19 symptoms. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms may be slightly different, depending on the variant involved, but will include one or more of the following:
Cough, fever or chills, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, nasal congestion or runny nose.
Emergency signs and symptoms that require immediate medical attention:
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
Those who have a chronic or baseline cough that has worsened or is not well-controlled with medication should stay at their place of residence.
More information about COVID-19 symptoms can be found on the CDC webpage.
Students with any of the symptoms identified above are expected to self-isolate in their residence, following the College’s guidelines for self-isolation; complete the COVID Self-Check and Reporting Form (SCARF), available through the Health Information Portal; consult with a healthcare provider; and follow the directions of that healthcare provider. Resources for medical consultation include the on-campus Health Service; the after-hours nurse consultation line (1-877-617-9531, free to all students whenever the Health Service is closed); and off-campus providers.
Employees (including student employees and staff from contracted vendors such as A&A, our custodial services provider, and Bon Appetit, our food services provider) are also expected to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID on a daily basis before coming to work. Regardless of vaccination status, employees with symptoms of COVID should self-isolate in their residence and obtain medical consultation through their health care provider. Employees who are self-isolating with COVID symptoms are expected to notify their supervisor and Human Resources. The College provides health insurance to benefits-eligible employees through Kaiser Permanente. Information regarding COVID testing is available on Kaiser’s website. In addition, information about COVID testing locations in the state is available from the Oregon Health Authority, in both an English language version and a Spanish-language version.
In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in our community, Wellness Services staff will work to identify unvaccinated “close contacts.” Generally, these are unvaccinated persons who have been within six feet of the infected person for 15 minutes or more. Wellness staff will work with County Health Department personnel to notify anyone who is deemed at risk because of exposure as a “close contact,” whether the site of that contact was in a residence hall, a classroom, office, or elsewhere. Such persons will be notified as soon as possible after the College becomes aware of the situation.
Community members with confirmed cases of COVID will be expected to enact an isolation period. For students, the duration of that period will be determined by Health Service staff. For employees, the duration of isolation will be determined by their healthcare provider. Unvaccinated persons who are identified as a close contact of a person with COVID-19 will be required to quarantine per applicable CDC guidelines. Persons who are fully vaccinated will not be required to quarantine.
Upon arrival to campus and regularly throughout the day, all members of the LC Community are expected to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Show respect for your colleagues: cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow, or a tissue, especially when not wearing a mask. Tissues should be disposed of and hands washed or sanitized immediately.
Students with underlying health conditions or who are immunocompromised and who believe they may require an accommodation are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Office of Student Accessibility. Employees with underlying health conditions or who are immunocompromised and who believe they may require an accommodation are encouraged to schedule an appointment with Human Resources.
