Updated Isolation and Quarantine Protocols

This afternoon, students were informed of recently approved changes to Northwestern's isolation and quarantine protocols. These changes follow updated guidance from the CDC and will hopefully result in students missing fewer class days due to isolation or quarantine. You will continue to receive daily email notifications with information about students who will not be attending class in person. As always, Health Services will work with students and employees on a case-by-case basis and will advise the best course of action.

Face Coverings in Classrooms

As we start our new semester, please remember that face coverings are required in all academic settings (classrooms and labs) this spring when 6' distancing cannot be consistently maintained per the current campus protocols. This requirement has also been communicated to students.

For the good of our community, please be consistent in wearing face coverings in required settings and enforcing the protocol with our students. It is especially important to begin the semester with establishing this expectation. As faculty, you play a critical role in modeling and leading students in this area. It may be helpful to review the Guidance for Engaging with Students on Face Coverings in the event that students do not remember their face coverings next week. 

Remember, as faculty, wearing a face shield while teaching is still considered an appropriate face covering. Extra face masks and face shields are available in the Academic Affairs office while supplies last. 

Seating Charts Needed

Faculty in all courses meeting in person need to establish a seating chart/plan, so that students sit in the same location each time they are together. This will be an essential practice should contact tracing be required. 

Seating charts for each course and section must be submitted by Tuesday, 1/18, to the Health Services Seating Chart site on Moodle. This will allow Health Services to quickly access seating charts when needed. You can find instructions on how to create, share, and submit a seating chart here. If you have questions about submitting these files to Moodle, please contact Mark Henderson.

Spring 2022 Syllabus Statement

Please include the updated syllabus statement in ALL syllabi. This includes the Covid-19 Spring 2022 Syllabus Statement, a NEW Audio/Visual Recording statement, and the ADA statement. These statements are also available on the Faculty Guidance page.

Because your syllabus codifies critical information for students, our goal is to include consistent messaging for all faculty to provide direction and guidance regarding classroom protocol. Our suggested placement for the COVID-19 and Audio/Visual Recording statements in each syllabus is next to the ADA Statement and Absence Policy. If you have any questions, please contact Academic Affairs.

Campus Store Update

During the first week of classes (January 10-14), the clothing and supplies area of the Campus Store will be closed in the mornings from 9:00 a.m. until after chapel, due to limited staffing resources. During those hours, the textbook pick-up window in the back of the store will be open to provide services to students notified via email that their textbook orders are ready. We anticipate returning to full campus store hours beginning January 18. 

In addition, please be aware that we continue to experience shipping delays from publishers and are waiting on several titles. Please encourage students who have not ordered their textbooks to order as soon as possible to prevent further delays in receiving their books. Thank you for your understanding amidst these challenges. 

Study Rooms Available

As we have done in the past, several classrooms or meeting spaces on campus have been set aside for students to use as study rooms this spring. The following list identifies rooms available for students. The Depot will communicate these options to students next week.

• R2319 and R2324: Available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
• SC391: Available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon)

• N4228: Available MWF 10:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.; TR 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

• R2307 and R2316: Available only Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

These rooms are subject to change throughout the semester. 

Opportunity for Feedback

If you have any feedback you'd like to share on the return to campus this spring or other topics of interest or concern, you are invited to do so through this anonymous form (feel free to include your name if you'd like). As we seek to lead effectively with wisdom, kindness, understanding, and transparency, we appreciate hearing your thoughts. Thank you, Colleagues!