Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Updates

COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified and symptoms include fever and lower respiratory tract symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Currently, the incubation period is thought to be up to 14 days, meaning an individual can be infected, contagious, and showing minimal or no symptoms during this time. The CDC guidance indicates COVID-19 is primarily spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets with close contact, which is similar to influenza and other respiratory pathogens. However, infection from fomites or other sources of the body is yet unknown. 

USciences is committed to the health and safety of the University community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are following state and local guidelines in order to act in the best interest of our community and the greater public health. Learn More.

Anyone who is symptomatic with respiratory symptoms (cough or shortness of breath) or fever should self-isolate and seek testing. Faculty and staff, or students who are at home away from campus, should contact their primary care physician for further guidance. Students who are on campus or in the local area should email Student Health and Counseling. Faculty and staff should notify their supervisor of any respiratory illness or positive COVID-19 testing

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others; even those who may have minimal symptoms can spread COVID-19. That is why CDC recommends that those with active infection be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

Current Philadelphia Department of Public Health guidance recommends isolation of known infected individuals until both of the following criteria are met:

1) At least 3 days after resolution of fever after stopping fever-reducing medications (e.g., Tylenol or Advil) and improvement in respiratory symptoms and
2) At least 10 days have passed since symptoms have started

Those who are close contacts of a confirmed COVID-19 case must stay home and self-isolate for 14 days after their last contact with the case, regardless of whether they develop symptoms.

Close contact is defined as:

1) Being within 6 feet of a COVID-19 case for 10 minutes or longer or
2) Having direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on).

Someone who has been released from isolation is not considered to pose a risk of infection to others.

Primary contacts of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 should isolate at home for 14 days and self-monitor for symptoms. Faculty and staff should notify their supervisor; students should notify via email Student Health and Counseling.

Those who develop even a mild cough or low-grade fever (100.4 F) continue to stay home and self-isolate, avoiding close contact (approximately six feet) with other people, including family members and pets. If you develop respiratory symptoms or fever during the monitoring period, call your primary care provider’s office, or contact your local health department or local Emergency Department and provide details for your recent travel and symptoms to determine if further medical care is needed. 

The University has been preparing for the fall semester since late spring, including updating plans based upon CDC, state, and city guidelines.   The University will continue to closely monitor any changes to these guidelines as the plans we have developed are flexible based upon developing information.  Please see some information for specific circumstances below:

• Students who may be immunocompromised – Students should contact the Office of Student Accommodations at 215-596-8758 to begin the accommodations process in order that responsible accommodations can be made.
• Students who may be concerned about attending in-person classes or have a family member that is immunocompromised - The three modalities being offered this fall for course delivery provide students with some choice as to how they would like to participate in their USciences’ education.
• Larger classes will be held virtually while smaller size classes may be offered in-person. When these smaller classes (less than 25 with appropriate social distancing) are offered on-ground, faculty will also be offering content online for students who are not comfortable attending classes on campus.
• Some labs, practicals, and other courses must be delivered in-person due to necessary delivery methods of certain skills or accreditation standards. Students who are scheduled for these in-person courses should contact their academic advisor to explore alternative options to completing these courses this semester or postponing to a future semester.
• Students returning to campus – The University is working to raise awareness among the student population to foster a safe return to campus through messaging and partnering with student leaders across campus who will share in this initiative. Students who violate COVID-19 safety guidelines may be referred to the Student Conduct Process.

Our dining services partner Sodexo has produced a helpful and informative video that will show you some of the changes to your dining experience. Please take a few minutes to watch. In addition, please review the below guidelines.

If dining in is not permitted

• Take-out only meals will be provided, with preordering of meals required.
• When waiting to pick up food, 6 foot distancing must be maintained.

If dining in is permitted

• Take out meals will be provided using the preordering process for students who desire this option.
• In addition to the Wilson Dining Hall, a large tent is outside on the Quad that will be available for dining.
• A minimum of 6 foot distances between chairs must be maintained at all times.
• Because wearing of masks is not possible while eating and drinking, mealtimes should be brief; individuals should leave the dining area as soon as the meal is completed and not linger.
• Neither food nor utensils should be shared between individuals to reduce the likelihood of disease transmission.
• The maximum capacity of the Wilson Dining Hall will be reduced to 25% to allow for appropriate social distancing.
• Dining hours may be extended if capacity limitations do not allow for all students with meal plans to eat.
• No self-service (e.g., salad bar) will be permitted.
• Plexiglass shielding will be provided at check-out registers and other areas where physical distancing is difficult.
• When waiting in line, either to enter the dining area or to check out, 6 foot distancing must be maintained between diners.

We will continue to offer spaces on campus for students to study or to stream remote courses. When students are utilizing study spaces on campus they must:

• Wear a mask at all times - even when in a private study room
• Maintain social distancing of 6 feet between individuals
• Keep occupancy of study spaces to no more than 25% of pre-pandemic capacity (updated maximum capacity signage has been placed in public and study areas).

There are multiple locations on campus that have been identified as places where students can study:

• J.W. England Library
• Athletics Recreation Center (ARC) Lobby
• STC Atrium/Study Rooms
• 2nd floor above Tasty Drakes
• Quad Dining Tent - *available only outside of dining hours or scheduled programming*
• Outdoor tables throughout campus - Parenti Plaza, D’Angelo Mall, LLC Courtyard, Patio @ the ARC
• Whitecar/McNeil 2nd floor Terrace
• Alumni Hall Testing Center (commuter students only).
• The Alumni Hall Testing Center is prioritized for students who are commuting to campus. We ask that Residential Students use spaces within their residence halls or any of the other identified locations for group or individual study.

Students who have questions about their academic schedule or participation in on campus labs, classes, or practicals should contact their academic advisor.

Tuition and fees support a variety of services and expenses at the University, both on-ground and online. These cover not only facility usage, but technology and services that support remote education and other student needs. While the ultimate cost to deliver all of these services will likely be higher in the coming year, the University has committed to keeping both tuition and fees flat, with no increases for the 2020-21 academic year.

The Comprehensive Fee is a fee that supports a variety of services and expenses at the University. Fees are charged to both on-ground and online students, and cover not only facility usage, but also services and expenses that occur both face-to-face and virtually. With the transition to remote learning, while facility usage declined, additional technologies and services were added to support remote education and other student needs, and additional costs were incurred to assure the safety of all students as we transition back to campus.