Message from Dean of Students/Schiffert Health Center: Faculty Guidance for Student Absences

Over the past few weeks, faculty has expressed concerns related to student wellness, student behavior, as well as the potential impact on our teaching and learning environments—and we understand your concern.

However, over the past 18 months of the pandemic, we have found that students are committed to their own health and to the health of the community. The overwhelming majority are upfront and honest about their behavior, their symptoms, and their contact with others. While they may not like having to isolate or quarantine, they do abide by the safety precautions set in place by the university.

When a student discloses that they have tested positive for COVID-19, the Dean of Students office works in providing direct assistance to the student. Absence verifications will be provided, and the student is made aware that being away from class is acceptable. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) will also engage in the student’s case and work to communicate with potential close contacts. Close contacts will be advised by VDH if they need to isolate or quarantine. Affected students residing on-campus will be required to isolate away from campus. In those circumstances where a student has an undocumented illness, our office requests flexibility from faculty so students do not feel compelled to attend in-person classes while symptoms are present.

Given these measures, faculty members and academic staff do not need to take additional measures to ensure the safety of their classroom beyond the masking requirements in place. Faculty members should also reach out to the Dean of Students Office for advice and direction should a student report a positive COVID-19 case.

We also greatly need your assistance—the Schiffert Health Center is seeing high numbers of students with respiratory illness that is not COVID. In the past week, Schiffert has recorded 2,569 patient visits and has performed 607 COVID tests, in which only 3% of patients tested positive for COVID-19.

Unfortunately, some students who could manage with self-care come to Schiffert primarily because they are seeking an absence verification for class. Students should not be sent to get a negative COVID test in order to return to the classroom and Schiffert does not provide excuses in general except for certain circumstances. Therefore, we are asking faculty to be flexible with students on their absence policies and to work with students to provide options for make-up work and to extend deadlines, if needed. Again, if an absence verification is required, please direct students to the Dean of Students office.

As we continue together through the pandemic and the school year, let’s continue to strengthen our well-being and commit to practices that will enhance our physical and mental health. Let’s make choices that grow our strength and help us thrive as a community—making this year, the best year.

In Hope and Solidarity,

Byron Hughes, Dean of Students
Kanitta Charoensiri, Director of Schiffert Health Center