Greetings Parents,

We look forward to welcoming students back to campus to finish up the 2021-2022 academic school year! We trust you had a restful and meaningful time with your student.

Welcome to parents who are new to this list! We are glad you are part of the EMU family!

This same email was sent to your student today. We want to make sure you were updated on the current information regarding 2022 spring plans:
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Greetings EMU Students, Faculty, and Staff 

Happy New Year to all of you! 

2022 served us up an early winter wonderland yesterday. As is typical here in the Shenandoah Valley, the sun is already out and melting our ½ foot snow dump.

We are eager to welcome new and returning students to Spring Semester which begins next week, January 12. 

In anticipation of students’ return, I want to share updated health and safety protocols in light of the recent spike in cases of the omicron COVID-19 variant (very contagious, but generally mild symptoms for those who are fully vaccinated).

• We will start classes as scheduled next Wednesday (Jan. 12) in person. An online option will be available to those who test positive from the rapid antigen test or must quarantine.

• We will continue to require masks in all public indoor places on campus, including classrooms. EMU will continue to provide masks. If students want to wear their own masks, a K-95 or KN-95 is recommended. Cloth masks can be worn over paper masks for extra protection.

• We will require a negative rapid test before students move into residence halls. Details and logistics for testing will be provided by Student Life. 

• We strongly encourage symptomatic students (runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever, fatigue) to get a negative test before arriving on campus.

• We are arranging for sufficient quarantine & Isolation space for those who test positive. The CDC has reduced by half the amount of time for isolation. Students who test positive and who live within a 120-mile radius will be encouraged to isolate at home.

• We will take extra precautions regarding large gatherings in the month of January. Many of these special gatherings will be held virtually or rescheduled for a later date. 

• We will take extra precautions regarding dining hall gatherings for meals. This includes discouraging faculty/staff from using the dining hall in the month of January. 

• We strongly encourage COVID boosters for all students and employees. Update your health record by sending a jpeg of your vaccination card to COVIDhotline@emu.edu. 

• We invite you to check out the FAQ webpage. It has been updated for spring semester 2022. Please continue to use this helpful resource.

In terms of the broader EMU experience, most extracurricular events will continue uninterrupted as scheduled.

As a small Christian college that strives every day for tailored, personal interaction with students, we are up for the challenge of advancing learning and discovery in a safe environment even as we wrestle with this latest COVID challenge. 

Our EMU Response Team has a great motto: “Care for Self. Care for Each Other. Care for Community.” I think it’s a great anthem to how our entire EMU community Prepares Together as a community of learners. 

I pray for safe travels as we reconvene for another semester to live into our noble mission: “to prepare students to serve and lead in a global context” in the spirit of Micah 6:8: “to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God!

Be well, EMU!

Warmly,
Susan

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Please be in touch if you have questions!

Best, 
Jennifer 
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Jennifer North Bauman 
Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement
1200 Park Rd.
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
540-432-4294
baumanj@emu.edu