This week at UD: Research operations are now in Phase 4, while other COVID-19 campus protocols remain in place. Vaccinations are recommended, though not currently required. Remote working is still in place unless specifically addressed by an individual unit. Questions? Check the FAQs.

Looking ahead: With the end of the academic year, this is the final Spring Update. Additional updates may be published over the summer as the situation warrants. Other news and updates will be included on the University’s COVID-19 Updates website and the “Inside UD” section of UDaily.

Protecting the Flock: The entire UD community has worked tirelessly to Protect the Flock this year. A special thank you to UD students, faculty and staff for doing your part. This semester alone, the daily health check questionnaire, developed and implemented by IT, was filled out 361,751 times. The Custodial and University Services team spent 34,000 hours keeping campus safe, cleaning 10,470 touch points (doorknobs, bannisters, elevator buttons, etc.) three times each weekday. And, UD’s asymptomatic testing program, run by dozens of staff members and students from multiple University units, performed nearly 50,000 tests. These are just a few of the many actions, both small and large, that Blue Hens have undertaken to protect their fellow Blue Hens.

Research operations have moved to Phase 4; summer student researchers strongly encouraged to get vaccinated: UD moved from Phase 3 to Phase 4 research operations on Friday, May 21. As a result, more research at UD’s campuses is expected to come online in the weeks ahead as facilities are prepared for occupancy:

• All on-campus research is permitted — no application required — including undergraduate research, computational research, in-person human subjects research, and outreach activities. Please note that shuttered buildings/facilities need to be approved for reopening before personnel can enter. (See below for more information on that process.)
• Students engaging in research this summer are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
• Face coverings are required when conducting research indoors. Maintain physical distancing of at least 3 feet.
• Research meetings of up to 12 individuals may be held indoors, with the wearing of face coverings and physical distancing of at least 3 feet.
• Keeping personnel records for contact tracing no longer is required.

For more details, see the FAQs on the Research Office website. The final Research Town Hall of the spring semester was held May 17; all town halls have been recorded and are archived on this webpage. Contact UDResearch@udel.edu with your research-related questions.

Other COVID-19 campus protocols remain: Other than the change in research operations, all other campus protocols — including face coverings and 6 feet of physical distancing — remain unchanged at least through the end of the academic year on May 30. Additional information will be shared when it is available.

Moving forward: As conditions improve, planning is underway to determine how and when the campus returns to normal operations. Facilities, Real Estate and Auxiliary Services (FREAS) is working to prioritize reopenings of campus buildings, but this process will take time, and everyone’s cooperation and patience is needed. FREAS will determine the final order of opening, and that process will be conducted through the summer.

Vaccinations available: A variety of vaccination events are being held near campus, including at Walgreens, Rite Aid, Acme Stores, CVS and the Hudson State Service Center. To learn more, visit this website, enter your ZIP code and make an appointment.

In addition, the Delaware Division of Public Health is running daily vaccination clinics at four state service centers, including one at Oxford Plaza, 256 Chapman Rd., Suite 100, in Newark, which is about a 10-minute drive from campus. The clinic operates from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:15-4 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. To make an appointment, call 1-833-643-1715. Walk-ins are also accepted.

COVID-19 vaccine required for UD students this fall: UD will require all students -- undergraduate, graduate and professional -- who will be on UD campuses this fall to be fully immunized against COVID-19 before their arrival to campus and no later than Aug. 15, 2021. This requirement is consistent with the recommendation provided by the American College Health Association for all students planning to attend college for the fall of 2021 semester. For students who cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccine for medical or religious reasons, documented exemptions will be accommodated.

On-campus testing: Surveillance testing on campus will conclude for the spring semester on Thursday, May 27. Testing will resume for the summer on June 2, every Wednesday, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at Clayton Hall only. Beginning in June, vaccinated students will be exempt from surveillance testing. Human Resources will invite faculty and staff to be tested at Clayton Hall, starting June 2. Walk-ups will be accepted.

Community testing options available: Free community-based testing is available through the state of Delaware, including two 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, May 28. Registration is encouraged at this link. On Tuesday, June 1, 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.

A full list of COVID-19 testing locations in Delaware can be viewed at de.gov/gettested. Faculty and staff who are tested at a non-UD site should upload the results to the UD Health Portal.

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 CareNet 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.

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