Updates to Webster COVID-19 Guidelines

The following message was distributed on May 21, 2021.

To the Webster University Community,

During the past 15 months, Webster University has followed the coronavirus guidelines recommended by local and state health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our community responded expertly and diligently to these guidelines and produced exceptional safety results. We applaud everyone’s diligence and thank you for helping keep our students, faculty and staff safe.

Starting June 1, there will be several changes to Webster’s Covid-19 guidelines that mirror changes to CDC, state and local health recommendations:

Face Masks – Fully vaccinated members of our community will no longer be required to wear masks while on a Webster location in the United States. Employees and students at international locations outside the United States will need to follow the guidelines set by their local authorities. Unvaccinated students and employees will still be required to wear masks and/or face coverings and practice social distancing, but may remove masks when inside University facilities while participating in activities in which a face mask cannot practically be worn, such as eating and drinking or playing a musical instrument or singing as part of work/academic duties. This guidance applies to classes and classrooms.

Daily Health Assessments – Health assessments will no longer be required to enter campus buildings, but individuals exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 will be asked to follow the guidelines set by the CDC and self-isolate for up to 10 days or until a test determines that the individual is negative for Covid-19.

Building Assistants – Student workers and public safety will no longer check temperatures or check for approved health assessments at building entry points.

Visitor Policy – All visitors must have an appointment and report to Public Safety to receive an ID card for building access.

Webster Alumni – Webster alumni who wish to visit the library or University Center on the Webster Groves campus should send an e-mail to publicsafety@webster.edu requesting building access prior to their visit.

Gatherings and Events – The current policy will be rescinded. Vaccinated individuals do not need to wear a mask or social distance. Unvaccinated people must wear a mask and practice social distancing while at both outdoor and indoor events. Indoor occupancy will be allowed at 100% of fire code allowance, taking into consideration distancing requirements for unvaccinated individuals.

Building Access – Students, staff and faculty will continue to access buildings with their ID cards. Faculty and staff have building access from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days/week; student access is 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Friday. Housing & Residential Life will be in contact directly with on-campus residents about COVID-related expectations for resident students in the near future.

Other Guidelines – Changes to other guidelines such as office space occupancy, the use of elevators and stairwells, meeting sizes, etc., are reflected in the amended Transition and Adaptability policy [PDF]. Additional policy changes will be forthcoming as they are developed.

Travel Policy – Due to the continued influence of COVID at our international locations, international travel remains restricted. Essential international travel requires an approved Travel Authorization form. Restrictions on domestic travel have been lifted; however, such travel continues to require an approved Travel Authorization form.

Vaccine Policy – Webster University has not determined if vaccinations will be required for students, faculty and staff. As such, a person’s vaccination status is based on the honor code and unvaccinated individuals are expected to follow the new guidelines stated above.

Reporting Illness – Anyone who contracts COVID-19 must report their status and those who are unvaccinated and who are in close contact with someone with COVID-19 must also report their status. Employees must report their status in these cases to Human Resources. Students must report their status through Student Affairs.

We welcome the new guidance issued by the CDC and St. Louis County which allows the university to progress towards pre-pandemic operations.

Julian Z. Schuster
President

The Task Force on Transition and Adaptability