COVID Information

Additional Information

Student Information

If You Feel Sick

Students

Refer to the Student Health Center for detailed information.

Refer to the on campus COVID-19 Housing Guide for additional information.

If you are a student and will be unable to attend in-person classes due to being in quarantine or isolation, you are responsible for communicating this with your instructors, as you would with any other illness.  Faculty have been instructed to provide accommodations during that time, which will differ based on the best practice for each class, in line with how they would typically work with students taking an extended leave.  If you are facing difficulty with getting accommodations for you classes, please contact the Office of Student Life.  

Faculty looking for help on what accommodations to provide should reference information from the Provost's Office or contact their chair/dean. 

Employees

You are encouraged to stay home if experiencing COVID-like symptoms or otherwise feeling ill and follow University and Department sick leave practices.

Employees and/or supervisors will work together to determine any remote work options while in quarantine/isolation, or if taking leave would be needed.  Employees can learn about different leave options available on the HR website. 

Student employees should contact their supervisor regarding potential options for remote work or taking leave.

If you have been around a person with COVID:

  • Watch for symptoms for 10 days.  If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.
  • Wear a mask around others and take extra precaution around people likely to get very sick for 10 days.
  • Test 5 days after exposure (or sooner if you have symptoms).  If you test positive, isolate and see guidance above.

Covid Testing

Refer to Washington State Department of Health for additional testing information.

Students: Refer to the Student Health Center for detailed information as well as the 'If You Feel Sick' section of this web page.

Employees: Please, stay home if experiencing COVID-like symptoms or otherwise feeling ill and follow University and Department sick leave practices.  Refer to the 'If You Feel Sick' section of this web page. 

If You Test Positive For COVID:

  • Stay home for 5 days and away from others.  You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.
  • If you have no symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
  • If you have symptoms and your symptoms are improving, you may end isolation after day 5, if you are fever-free for 24-hours (without the use of fever reducing medication). 
  • If you symptoms are not improving, continue to isolate until you are fever-free for 24-hours (without the use of fever reducing medication). 
  • If your symptoms persist or are worsening after 10 days, contact your medical provider for further guidance.
  • NOTE: A COVID test after leaving isolation is not required to return to work or classes on campus.

Vaccine Information

Be Well, Stay Well - Get Vaxed

As of June 12, 2023, Western no longer requires proof of COVID vaccination for students, employees, or contractors. This decision was made with the best available evidence and guidelines from public health authorities. Staying up to date with COVID vaccines remains an important step to protect yourself and your community.  Western anticipates hosting COVID and Flu vaccination clinics on campus during Fall Quarter 2023.

COVID-19 vaccines remain readily available in Washington State. Visit Washington State Department of Health for additional vaccine information and their Vaccine Finder page to find vaccine locations.

Individuals immunized in Washington State may find their records on file at WashingtonMyIR.  

Masking

Masks are optional in nearly all settings, including inside Western buildings on the Bellingham Campus. Please follow any policies at other site locations not independently operated by Western (Poulsbo, Everett, etc.) which may independently require masking or other COVID safety protocols.

This may change if public health conditions change in the future.

Every individual has the right to continue masking in any setting at Western if they prefer, even when masks are not required by the university.

Questions

Send questions about COVID procedures to covidcoordinationresilience@wwu.edu.