Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is a top priority at Mount Union. When making decisions regarding public health issues such as COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), the University will always work cooperatively with and follow the guidelines and recommendations of leading health organizations, including the National Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, the Ohio Department of Health, the Stark County Health Department, and the Alliance City Health Department. 

  1. Face Coverings

    Mount Union has a mask-optional policy for the campus. There may be some courses that still require face coverings. Prior to the start of the semester, students in these courses received notice via an email from the Office of the University Registrar. Face coverings are also still required for:

    • Five days after release from isolation.
    • Anyone considered a close contact of an individual who has been identified as COVID positive will need to mask for 10 days regardless of vaccine status.


    Students should have a face covering available should extra protection be needed or if they are not feeling well. Always be respectful of those who choose to wear face coverings or request that you do so when in close contact.

  2. Vaccination

    Although the COVID-19 vaccine is not required at Mount Union, we strongly encourage members of the campus community to get vaccinated and receive all recommended boosters to protect themselves and others. The COVID-19 vaccine is the single most effective way to protect our community.

    If you have not yet received your vaccination or booster, here are some providers within the Alliance community.

  3. Testing

    Testing will continue to be available through the Student Health Center for symptomatic students. Faculty and staff should contact their primary healthcare provider regarding testing upon becoming symptomatic or exposed to the virus.

    Home tests are available in the Student Health Center, Hoover-Price Campus Center at the Information Desk, or the Office of Human Resources in Beeghly Hall.

    Faculty, staff, and students should seek testing within 24 hours of becoming symptomatic, preferably within the same day of developing symptoms.

  4. Quarantine and Isolation

    If a campus community member has tested positive for COVID, they should isolate for five days regardless of symptoms or vaccine status. If they are fever-free and symptoms have improved by day six, they can resume normal activities while wearing a mask for five additional days.

    When a student is diagnosed with COVID-19, they can either go home to recover or isolate in their room. Students should remain in their room and leave only for healthcare appointments.

    It is critical that symptomatic individuals not physically attend class or work or participate in other campus community activities. Students in quarantine/isolation should work with the Office of Student Accessibility Services regarding accommodations required for the continuation of their coursework. Faculty and staff members in quarantine/isolation should work with their supervisors or the Office of Human Resources to determine if remote work is an option. 

    If a campus community member is identified as a close contact, they should wear a mask for 10 days and monitor symptoms. If any symptoms begin to develop, they should get tested and quarantine until results become available and indicate a negative test. Students can either quarantine at home or on campus/in Alliance. Faculty and staff members needing to quarantine should do so at home while avoiding close contact with other individuals until released.

    The CDC COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Calculator can be used to figure out if, when, and for how long, those with COVID-19 and close contacts need to stay home, get tested, and wear a well-fitting mask. It also provides important information about what precautions people can take to slow the spread of COVID-19.

    CDC Isolation and Exposure Calculator

  5. Reporting and Communication

    With the recent ending of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, COVID-19 will no longer need to be reported to the local health department and contacts will no longer be traced by the University’s health services coordinator or the Office of Human Resources. 

    Faculty and staff of the University will report illness to their director or supervisor, as with any other illness or absence from work. Students missing class due to illness will need a class excuse from their primary care physician or be evaluated at the Student Health Center.   

    Faculty, staff, and students should still consider wearing a mask if they have respiratory symptoms and stay home if they are ill.

    If you have questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at humanresources@mountunion.edu or Beth Wayt, health services coordinator, by phone at (330) 596-7995 or email at waytba@mountunion.edu.

  6. Wellness Resources

    Support for students needing assistance with stress or anxiety is available via:

     
    For faculty and staff, the University has partnered with     Impact Solutions, an employee assistance and work/life program.

Department of Education Reports

These reports have been completed in accordance with guidance issued by the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education on May 6, 2020.