February 19, 2021 | 2:24 PM

To: Graduate Faculty, Graduate Students, Directors of Graduate Studies/Program Directors, Program Administrators, LGS Staff

Dear LGS Community,

By now, you have received the University message regarding COVID-19 safety measures, testing requirements, and the recent increase in cases among students. I write today to ask for your redoubled efforts, cooperation, and partnership as we aim to stop the surge within our campus community.

Mandatory Testing for On and Off-campus Students

COVID-19 Testing Requirements:
- Graduate and Professional Students: Graduate and professional students conducting on-campus classes, labs, and research are required to test weekly. Student testing and additional information are available on the Emory Forward testing page.
- Faculty and Staff: On-campus faculty and staff who have onboarded are encouraged to test weekly.
- Undergraduate On-campus Students: Beginning Monday, February 22, Emory and Oxford students living on campus are required to test twice a week.

Please note that because all positives cases are verified through additional confirmatory testing, the COVID-19 Dashboard may have a slight delay in the updated number of positive tests reported.

Preventive and Safety Measures

Below are important links and information to help keep our community safe:

Isolation and Quarantine: Students who have a fever, are sick, have been exposed, or test positive for COVID-19 should not go to class or socialize. Guidelines for what to do if you feel sick are available here.
Public Health Safety Precautions: Science shows that following the 3Ws can help protect yourself and others from spreading COVID-19. These include:
- Wear a Mask.
- Watch Your Distance. (6ft from those who do not live with you)
- Wash Your Hands.

The LGS community comprises faculty, students, teaching assistants, teaching associates, and staff across many units and networks throughout the University. We are uniquely positioned to lead in the efforts to stop the surge of COVID-19 cases. Please strongly encourage and remind each other in all your roles --as researchers, teachers, graduate students, and staff --of the University Community Compact and updated guidelines designed to keep our community safe.

Vaccine Distribution

We hear and share your concerns regarding vaccine distribution plans and what that means for graduate students. At every opportunity, Emory University and LGS advocate for student inclusion in the next phase of distribution. We appreciate your patience and voice as these conversations continue. The University hosts a series of townhall presentations to keep the community informed of COVID-19 vaccine updates. We welcome and encourage everyone in the LGS community to attend these presentations to stay abreast of the latest developments and share concerns. More vaccine distribution information, FAQs, and University town hall dates are available here.

Thank you in advance for practicing the safety precautions and protocols that have proven to reduce and slow the spread within our community. Please continue to stay safe, masked, and distant.

With you, with continued care,

-----

Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D. 

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs – Graduate Studies 

Dean, James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies

Professor, Rollins School of Public Health 

Emory University