Information and university updates about COVID-19 and CARES Act Funds.
For updates from USF on its response to COVID-19, go to https://covid.sf.edu. All students who have not done so are strongly encouraged to sign up to receive My Cougar Connection (MCC) announcements by email.
Effective May 3rd, face coverings and social distancing are not required on campus but are strongly encouraged. However, individual faculty may, at their discretion, require face coverings consistent with the protocols and practices of their discipline and clinical practices (e.g., Health Science courses).
Clinicals/internships/class trips that occur at another facility will conform to COVID-19 safety practices of that location. University-sponsored travel will follow USF COVID-19 safety practices.
Students who have received a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 should immediately report to the Office of Student Affairs (260-399-8100), which will serve as the USF recorder for all COVID19 cases.
Students who are exhibiting symptoms, awaiting test results or have been exposed should contact their instructors and not attend face-to-face class (e.g. lecture, lab, studio, field trip, field work) or university affiliated internship, practicum or clinical until the situation is resolved.
Students who come to campus appearing ill should not be allowed to participate in campus activities and should be directed to schedule an appointment with the USF Health & Wellness Clinic or their own physician. (Clinic drop-ins are not permitted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students must make an appointment for either in-person or virtual assessment – https://mychart.parkview.com or 260-373-7540.)
If a student appears ill or refuses to follow COVID-19 safety measures, a USF employee can dismiss students from class. If the student appears ill, they will be directed to the Health and Wellness Clinic to report symptoms. If a student does not have a face covering, they will be asked to get one. The Campus Shoppe will have a supply of face coverings available for purchase.
Yes. While vaccination rates are rapidly increasing, there is still need for contact tracing when individuals test positive for COVID-19. Therefore, instructors will continue to assign seats and take attendance this summer as they have done throughout the school year.
Yes. COVID-related absences do not excuse the student from completing all course requirements. This may require an “incomplete” for the course at semester’s end. The student must work with their instructor to arrange course work completion.
Students should immediately report absences related to COVID-19 symptoms, quarantine mandate, or COVID-19 caregiver duties directly to their instructors. Students are to report positive COVID-19 diagnoses to the Office of Student Affairs (260-399-8100), which will communicate the information to the instructors and advisors.
COVID-19 related excused student absences include:
Students who are diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibit symptoms should follow the “Return to Class” flowchart. Those who have been exposed to symptomatic or COVID-positive individuals should follow the guidelines to determine when to return to class.
Students will receive information that Smarthinking will still be available and other virtual tutoring may available. All students with documented need for course accommodations will be contacted by Geneva Burgess, the Coordinator of Student Accessibility Services (260-399-7700), to ensure those eligible have provided paperwork to instructors. Instructors who need assistance providing accommodations in an online course can reach out to Teaching and Learning Services (Nathalie Rouamba and Will Wells).
A collection of resources for academic support provided by the Library, Registrar and ACDC can also be found after logging into your My Cougar Connection account.
There is 24/7 support available through Canvas via the help button on the blue navigation bar on the left side of the Canvas screen to chat, call (support hotline for students: 833-485-5090) or report a Canvas problem.
Students and employees are encouraged to use the help desk ticketing system in MCC for general technology questions. Anyone can also email support@sf.edu any time which will automatically create a technology support ticket.
If it has been at least two weeks since the final vaccination (which varies by brand), it is unnecessary to quarantine after exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 unless the vaccinated individual is displaying symptoms.