Stay informed about recent decisions and plans by visiting www.udel.edu/return. Have a specific question? Check the FAQs, which are updated regularly as questions come in to coronavirus@udel.edu.

In-person dining to resume on campus: Positive actions by UD students -- and their response to the measures the University put into place – has enabled the University to resume in-person dining at all campus dining halls and at the food courts in Trabant University Center and Perkins Student Center, beginning at 8 a.m., Saturday, April 17. Dining hall guests will be asked to use designated entrances — the Academy Street entrance at Caesar Rodney and the Main entrance at Pencader for dining in, and the South Green entrance and Terrace entrance, respectively, for “to go” dining. All facilities will have reduced seating, so diners who eat indoors are asked not to linger after meals so that others can enjoy the space. With spring’s warmer temperatures, congregating to eat outdoors is permitted, if physically distanced, but students still may not congregate to share meals in residence hall common spaces. Everyone in the campus community should continue to do their part to help ensure in-person dining can continue by following all COVID-19 campus guidelines, including those specific to dining. Additional details will be emailed to meal-plan holders on Thursday, April 15.

Higher education vaccination event April 16 in Dover: Three vaccination events have been held on UD’s Newark campus this month, and additional events at UD are being planned. On Friday, April 16, a first-dose vaccination clinic specifically for students and employees of all higher education institutions in Delaware will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Memorial Hall Gymnasium at Delaware State University, 1200 North DuPont Highway, Dover. (The Pfizer vaccine is planned for this event; second doses will be scheduled for May 7.) To sign up for this event in Dover, visit https://mhealthsystem.com/delstate.

Return-to-Work Survey due April 16: UD staff are reminded to complete the Return-to-Work Survey by the end of the day this Friday, April 16. Results of the survey will assist Human Resources in determining next steps for fall 2021. All responses will be de-identified and grouped with other responses; no one outside the research team will be able to link responses to the individual submitter. UD’s Center for Research in Education and Social Policy is conducting the survey, and any questions or concerns may be addressed to Horatio Blackman at hblkman@udel.edu.

Guidelines for travel associated with research; town hall on April 19: UD travel for research, scholarship and creative activities may resume provided UD travelers are fully vaccinated and their travel has been approved (if required) via this online application process prior to departure. Other UD travel remains suspended until further notice.

• You are “fully vaccinated” when it has been at least two weeks since the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (e.g., Pfizer or Moderna vaccines), or at least two weeks after a single dose vaccine (e.g., Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine). 
• Travel approval is required when UD employees and students need to use shared/public transportation (e.g., Uber/Lyft, buses, trains, planes) and/or overnight accommodations. Day trips using one’s own vehicle are not subject to this approval process. 
• UD employees who are approved to travel are encouraged to use Concur for all travel-related bookings and transactions and are responsible for keeping up to date with changing CDC and U.S. Department of State travel guidance.

The next research town hall, led by Charlie Riordan, vice president for research, scholarship and innovation, will be held from 2-3 p.m., Monday, April 19. The town halls are recorded and archived on this webpage. For more information, contact UDResearch@udel.edu.

Delawareans 16 and older now eligible for vaccinations: All Delawareans 16 and older -- including all UD students, whether or not they are permanent residents of Delaware -- are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at pharmacies, community vaccination sites and mass vaccination events hosted by the state. The University urges all students to get the vaccine when it is available to them. Register on the state’s COVID-19 vaccination waiting list at vaccinerequest.delaware.gov. Please note that eligibility and registration do not guarantee that the vaccine will be immediately available. Information on COVID-19 vaccine access is available on UD’s coronavirus website.

On-campus testing: Students living on campus are reminded that they are required to be tested every week. This includes students who have been vaccinated. On-campus students receive a weekly email from “RLH COVID Testing,” where they can access a link to make reservations at the UD testing sites in Harker ISE Lab or Clayton Hall. Testing is by appointment only. No walk-ups will be permitted.

On a random basis, Student Health Services is selecting and requiring off-campus students to test at UD testing centers (Harker ISE Lab or Clayton Hall). Students will be notified by email on how to schedule their test and must participate. Off-campus students who are not feeling well should contact Student Health Services to obtain a test. Additionally, on a random basis, the Human Resources Office is selecting staff to test at the UD testing Centers, and they also are notified by email. Anyone selected for on-campus testing must schedule an appointment as no walk-ups are permitted.

Newark limits on private gatherings remain in place: The city of Newark continues to limit the size of gatherings. In Newark, gatherings at private residences remain limited to 10 people indoors and 20 people outdoors. Large, unmasked and unsafe off-campus gatherings are one of the greatest threats to continuing in-person classes and other activities this spring. Students are reminded that violations of these limits are subject to referral to the Office of Student Conduct, and they may face suspension from the University.

Community testing options available: Free community-based testing is available through the state of Delaware, including three sites on the Newark campus. The state of Delaware has a site at Lot #6 on the Laird Campus from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday, April 16. Registration is encouraged at this link. New Castle County will hold a drive-through testing event on the STAR Campus from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, April 17. Walk-ups are also accepted. Registration is encouraged at this link. On Tuesday, April 20, the state will be at the Hollingsworth parking lot, at the corner of North College and Cleveland avenues, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

In addition, testing is regularly available within walking distance of campus at the Hudson Service Center, 501 Ogletown Rd., Newark, from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday. The Walgreens in the Four Seasons Plaza, south of Newark on Route 896, also offers testing 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily. Information about a variety of upcoming “pop-up” testing events in the area is available at this website. Faculty and staff who are tested at a non-UD site should upload the results to the UD Health Portal.

Student study spaces: Students who need a space on campus to study or take an online class have many options. UD Student Centers, the Library and some classrooms are available either by reserving a space online or by dropping in. As a reminder, masks must be worn and physical distancing guidelines followed when using campus facilities.

For those needing assistance: Wellbeing services and support are available. The Center for Counseling and Student Development is open and available remotely, and 24/7 mental health support remains available on the UD Helpline at 302-831-1001 for any student in need of someone to talk to. Medical advice is also available to all students 24/7 through Aetna at 800-681-3957. Additionally, resources are available concerning substance use and recovery assistance due to experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic. Those individuals experiencing any concerns should feel free to contact the UD Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC).

The Employee Assistance Program is now provided through ComPsych GuidanceResources. This is a free program available for State of Delaware Group Health Plan non-Medicare members and their dependents. As part of ComPsych’s commitment, EAP services are available through the end of the national COVID-19 public health emergency to all State of Delaware employees, including temporary, casual seasonal and benefit eligible employees who are not currently enrolled in a State of Delaware Highmark Delaware or Aetna health plan. In addition, Employee Health and Wellbeing has a variety of resources available to assist employees.

Thanks for protecting the flock: By following simple guidelines, we can help make sure everyone is safe. Keep things moving in the right direction by remembering to:

• Wear a face covering.
• Avoid gathering in large groups.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Get tested frequently.

Questions? Send an email to coronavirus@udel.edu.