Last Updated: October 6, 2023
Northland is committed to prioritizing the health and well-being of our community, and to a decision-making process that is informed by science and the best guidance of public health experts.
COVID-19 Planning and Response Team
Email: covid@northland.edu
Starting the week of October 9, 2023, over-the-counter testing kits will be available for students, faculty, staff, and contracted services employees who are experiencing symptoms or who have had a recent exposure.
To inquire about an over-the-counter COVID-19 test, reach out to the Office of Health Services.
All members of the campus community should check daily for symptoms. Get tested or contact the Office of Health Services if you are experiencing any.
Please note that this list does not include all possible symptoms and that they may range from mild to severe.
Possible Symptoms
If you are a student, faculty, or staff member of Northland College and are experiencing symptoms or have had a recent exposure, contact the Office of Health Services for assessment and arrangements for testing. Employees of Northland’s contracted services partners are also eligible. Over-the-counter testing kits will be available starting the week of October 9, 2023.
If you need a test for other reasons, we encourage you to consider purchasing home tests or getting tested at a location in the community. Local testing sites include:
Current Northland College students, faculty, and staff, as well as employees of Northland’s contracted services partners, can get a free rapid test on campus through Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
On-campus Rapid Testing Times
No upcoming events.
Face coverings are currently optional at Northland College. However, you may be required to wear a well-fitted face covering if you recently tested positive, are experiencing symptoms, or are in isolation. Please refer to our COVID-19 isolation plans for general information on when they may be required, and be sure to connect with the Office of Health Services for guidance.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have had close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, immediately contact the Office of Health Services (students) or the Office of Human Resources (faculty and staff) for guidance on and assistance with testing. Do not attend class, come to work, or participate in campus activities until you have received this guidance.
The same policies and precautions apply to everyone regardless of their vaccination and booster status.
Please refer to the Daily Symptom Check section above to learn about common symptoms.
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, you should isolate immediately, regardless of vaccination or booster status.
Consult with the Office of Health Services (students) or the Office of Human Resources (employees) for guidance or assistance with testing. Do not go to work or attend class or other activities until you receive this guidance.
If you have been exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, you should start taking immediate precautions regardless of your vaccination or booster status. Wear a high quality mask (e.g. N-95) as soon as you find out you were exposed, and contact the Office of Health Services (students) or the Office of Human Resources (employees).
At this time, isolation is typically for five to eleven days, and it may be followed by a period of time when you are required to follow strict masking practices. The exact length of isolation may vary person to person and takes into account the severity of symptoms you experienced.
Isolation ends based on your symptoms and their severity. Testing is not required to end isolation.
For Students, Staff, and Faculty
In the event that you test positive for COVID-19, isolate in place in your existing housing location.
Anyone who lives on campus that tests positive will need to isolate in place in their assigned residence hall room or townhouse unit or return home to isolate at their permanent residence. Students who have questions or concerns should reach out to res-life@northland.edu to discuss options.
Consistent with past practices, anyone living off campus must isolate in place at their off-campus dwelling.
Students are encouraged to submit their vaccination status to covid@northland.edu, and faculty and staff are encouraged to submit their vaccination status to humanresources@northland.edu.
The College is not mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for the 2023–2024 academic year; however, we encourage all eligible individuals to get vaccinated and boosted.
Evidence from around the world continues to demonstrate that vaccinations significantly reduce the severity of COVID-19 for most people. The effectiveness of vaccinations in preventing infection varies by vaccine type, coronavirus variant, and the number and timing of vaccine doses, but overall, infection rates among vaccinated individuals continue to be lower than among unvaccinated individuals. COVID-19 vaccinations help reduce coronavirus spread, slow the pace and number of mutations, and limit the need for advanced medical services.
While we encourage you to communicate with people directly about violating the College’s COVID-19 policies, we acknowledge that approach does not always work. If you see conduct that poses a serious risk to others or a pattern of consistent policy violations, you may report them here.
Reports will be received by the Office of Human Resources—including those about students. They will review the report and escalate it as necessary. We encourage you to share your name and email to help with any investigation or follow-up, but you do have the option to report anonymously if you are not comfortable sharing your name.
