QU to relax COVID guidelines for the vaccinated

Quincy University has announced that masks and physical distancing will no longer be required on the Quincy University campus for those who are fully vaccinated. QU’s announcement followed the release of new guidelines on May 13 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“At Quincy University, we have consistently adhered to the guidance provided by the CDC and by state and local public health officials,” said QU President Brian McGee. “As we continue to see progress in reducing COVID-19 cases nationally and regionally and as we learn more about the protections provided by vaccination, I am pleased that we now are able to adjust our university policies to comply with CDC recommendations.

“For fully vaccinated students and employees, this policy change represents real progress towards returning to a normal or nearly normal campus experience at Quincy University,” said McGee.

While QU strongly encourages vaccination for all eligible members of the QU community, QU does not require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to enroll for the 2021 Fall Semester. The university requires those who are not vaccinated to wear a mask and practice physical distancing and requests the use of a mask and physical distancing when meeting with a person who is not vaccinated.

These updated Quincy University policies represent a shift from the previous face- covering requirement and reflect substantial efforts to vaccinate the university community.

A very high percentage of QU faculty and staff are now fully vaccinated. Many QU students also had been fully vaccinated by the end of the 2021 Spring Semester.

QU campus signs making reference to mask requirements will be updated over the next few weeks. As the university prepares for the summer and fall semesters, it will continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and will make further announcements in the coming weeks.

To assist the university in making informed decisions in safeguarding student and employee health, all members of the QU community are strongly encouraged to provide copies or photos of their COVID-19 vaccination cards to Christine Tracy, Ph.D., vice president for student development, at tracych@quincy.edu.