This message to all faculty and staff has been approved by President Richard McCullough and Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark.
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As we prepare to begin the fall semester, we would like to reaffirm our commitment to the health and wellness of the campus community and assure you that Florida State University continues to closely monitor all public health issues, including COVID-19 and monkeypox. We’d like to take this opportunity to outline Florida State University’s current policies, guidance, and expectations.
We continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the Florida Department of Health, and the State University System of Florida with regard to COVID-19. We encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine and recommended booster shots. We also suggest those who are concerned about potentially contracting or spreading coronavirus or other viruses wear masks indoors, especially in situations where there are large gatherings. Anyone who is feeling ill or has been exposed to COVID-19 should be tested and follow CDC guidance for quarantine or isolation.
To be clear, there is no COVID-19 testing, vaccination, social distancing, or masking requirement to visit, live, work, or study on campus.
However, full vaccination against COVID-19 is still the best, most effective way to protect yourselves and others from getting COVID-19 and preventing disruption of your studies, social activities, teaching, research, and work.
Face coverings are encouraged but not required on campus except in designated healthcare locations. Medical grade face masks, such as N95 or KN95 masks, are more effective against the highly transmissible coronavirus variants such as Omicron.
Please stay home when sick. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, or monkeypox, must isolate immediately. Due to the broad availability of COVID-19 vaccines and personal protective items such as face coverings, Florida State University has adopted a position like other State University System institutions to no longer offer COVID-19 isolation spaces for students who test positive for COVID-19.
Monkeypox is a virus that can spread through close, personal, skin-to-skin contact and is caused by a virus similar to smallpox but symptoms are usually much milder. Anyone who has symptoms of monkeypox should contact University Health Services at (850) 644-4567 or see a health care provider for a medical evaluation. Anyone who is diagnosed with monkeypox will be advised to isolate at home until cleared to return to activity.
For more information about COVID-19 or monkeypox, please visit the Stay Healthy FSU website. As part of our ongoing public health campaign, updated printable signage for classrooms and employee workspaces also can be found at this site.
Florida State University’s top priority is always the health and safety of the campus community. Please be assured we will continue to monitor these health issues and will modify our approach if necessary, and, of course, we will keep you apprised of any changes. We are certain that, together, we will be able to successfully navigate any potential challenges, and we look forward to a productive fall semester.
Sincerely,
President Richard McCullough
Provost Jim Clark