COVID Guidelines
To protect community health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the following guidelines will apply to all students, employees, and campus guests, regardless of vaccination status.
GENERAL PREVENTION PRACTICES EFFECTIVE APRIL 4:
STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK
You are expected to stay home and attend class or work remotely if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any illness. If you have received a positive COVID-19 test result, or have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you must complete this form. You may not enter campus until you have completed the required isolation or quarantine period.
STUDENTS: Notify your professor of your absence at least 30 minutes before class is scheduled to begin.
EMPLOYEES: Follow your manager’s preferences for notification of your absence.
RAPID TESTS AVAILABLE
If you have COVID symptoms or are concerned about COVID exposure, you (or a healthy family member or friend) may pick up a free rapid test at the WTS reception desk.
MASKS
Masks are optional for employees, students, and guests with the exception of these situations:
- Specific seminary-sponsored events where masking has been deemed prudent and signage indicates masks are required.
- Meetings with any individual who requests that you wear a mask.
Individual choices regarding mask-wearing must be respected.
Masks (surgical and KN95) will continue to be provided at all entrances and the front desk.
When you wear a mask, it should cover your mouth and nose.
DESIGNATE A “MASK ON” OFFICE
Complete this form if you’d like to indicate your preference that masks be worn by anyone in your office or work area.
DISTANCING
Distancing will be provided in class and meeting rooms to the extent possible given the number of attendees and room size.
HAND SANITIZER
Hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the seminary facility.
CLASSES
All classes will continue to be held in person; however, a synchronous Zoom format will be provided as well. Students, please note that the expectation is that you will attend class in person unless you have a COVID-related reason to join by Zoom. You should attend class via Zoom if you are:
- in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure
- symptomatic of COVID-19 or any illness
- asymptomatic but aware of possible COVID-19 exposure (e.g., you attended a gathering or traveled where COVID precautions were not followed). Please participate via Zoom for 3-5 days after possible exposure while you monitor your symptoms.
ABBEY GROUPS
Abbey groups will meet in person or via Google Meet at the discretion of the facilitator.
MEETINGS AND GATHERINGS
All meetings should give participants the option to participate virtually. Google Meet is readily available in Google calendar invites.
CHAPEL
Masks must be worn during chapel regardless of vaccination status.
If you are symptomatic of COVID-19 or any illness, or aware of possible COVID exposure, please do not attend chapel.
PLEASE STAY UP-TO-DATE ON YOUR COVID VACCINATIONS
As a reminder, the seminary strongly encourages all employees and students to be up-to-date on COVID vaccinations. You are considered “up-to-date” if you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines and a booster.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Workplace Coordinator
Rayetta Perez
Director of Administration and Human Resources
616 392.8555 x103
COVID-19 Safety Coordinator
David Becker
Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds
616 392.8555 x138
If you are sick
You are expected to stay home and attend class or work remotely if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any illness.
STUDENTS: notify your professor of your absence at least 30 minutes before class is scheduled to begin.
EMPLOYEES: please follow your manager’s preferences for notification of your absence.
If you test positive for or if you are exposed to Covid-19
If you have received a positive COVID-19 test result, or have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you must complete this form. You may not enter campus until you have completed the required isolation or quarantine period.
Do I have to wear a mask while I’m at the seminary for work or study?
Masks are optional for employees, students, and guests with the exception of these situations:
- Specific seminary-sponsored events where masking has been deemed prudent and signage indicates masks are required.
- Meetings with any individual who requests that you wear a mask.
Individual choices regarding mask-wearing must be respected.
Masks (surgical and KN95) will continue to be provided at all entrances and the front desk.
When you wear a mask, it should cover your mouth and nose.
When am I considered up-to-date on vaccinations?
You are considered “up-to-date” if you have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines and a booster. The seminary strongly encourages all employees and students to be up-to-date on COVID vaccinations.
Do I have to prove my COVID vaccination status?
You do not need to prove your vaccination status, but may be asked to provide your vaccination card.
To provide or update your vaccination status, please complete this form. Your status will be held confidentially in the WTS Human Resources department and will be used if necessary to determine isolation and quarantine requirements.
Are virtual meetings still required?
Meetings may be held in person or virtually at the discretion of the manager or department.
All meetings should give participants the option to participate in person or virtually. Google Meet is readily available in Google calendar invites.
Is distancing required for in-person meetings?
Distancing should be provided in class and meeting rooms to the extent possible given the number of attendees and room size.
Are visitors allowed in the building?
Yes, visitors are allowed in the building and Cook Library is open to the public.
Is WTS restricting personal or business travel?
No, the seminary is not restricting travel. Please follow guidance from the CDC before and after domestic and international travel.
Does the seminary have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan?
Yes. The COVID-19 Preparedness Plan is available here.
The CARES Act for Students and HEERF ACT
THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which provided colleges and universities funds for student emergency grants.
The Seminary received $36,595 in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds in three distributions of which $24,397 went directly to students in the form of financial grants for expenses students incurred related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Expenses include things like technology, health care, course materials, rent, food, child care, or moving fees.
ALLOCATING FUNDS
How is Western Theological Seminary allocating the CARES Act funds?
The Department of Education encouraged institutions to distribute the CARES Act funds as widely as possible while prioritizing students with the greatest need. WTS allocated $12,198 and an additional $12,199 as standard relief grants to all residential students who qualified for Federal financial aid as verified by the ISIR report which was generated by the successful completion of a FAFSA application. As residential students face the greatest disruption of their educational pursuits because of COVID, they were the only WTS students eligible for these funds.
GRANT ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible for the WTS CARES Grant?
The U.S. Department of Education determined that only students who met basic federal student aid eligibility criteria could be considered for CARES Act funds. To ensure this, only students who filed a 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and maintained a half time status for the fall 2020 semester were eligible. We estimate that approximately 30 WTS students were eligible to receive CARES Act funds.
DISTRIBUTING FUNDS
When and how will I receive the WTS CARES Grant?
If WTS had your 2020-2021 ISIR report on file and you were enrolled for 6 or more credit hours for the fall 2020 semester, you automatically received a grant in the month of December 2020 in the amount of $400 and an additional grant of $450 in February.
