The following message was sent to Drexel students on July 28:
Dear Drexel Dragons,
We hope you are enjoying your summer, staying safe, and preparing to join us this fall on campus. With our traditional September start, we want to ensure that while campus may look a little different, the student experience at Drexel continues to be rewarding, dynamic, and focused on creating positive outcomes. We know you have many questions about returning to campus — as we all do. As details become clearer, we will continue to share as much information with you as possible in order to help alleviate any concerns. In addition, we are hoping we can count on you to be a partner in this process.
While we are excited about getting back on campus, we are committed to following the applicable public health recommendations given to us by federal, state, and local authorities. The safety of our community is our primary concern, so we ask for your cooperation and assistance in implementing the following guidelines that we have put in place for the fall:
- We have launched a new website detailing Drexel's continued response to COVID 19. This site provides the latest developments regarding our return to campus, along with information on the steps the University is taking to ensure our community's safety.
- Drexel is mandating that face coverings are required for the entire Drexel community while they are on any of our campuses (University City, Center City, and Queen Lane) or in any University buildings, including all classrooms, labs, studios, making spaces, libraries, and residence halls; however, they will not be mandatory when you are in your room in your residence hall. Each student will be provided a cloth face covering, but students are encouraged to bring additional face coverings.
- We also ask that all Dragons maintain social distancing practices while on any of our campuses and within all campus buildings; i.e. keeping a distance of six feet from another person. We are installing plexiglass dividers in many high contact areas around campus to offer further spacing. Additionally, signage will be installed throughout all campus locations to provide clear directions, protocols, and policies.
- It is critical to please download the Drexel Health Tracker on your personal device before returning to campus — use of the Tracker is required by all members of the Drexel community. This mobile-based app allows Drexel community members to confidentially report their symptoms and access key resources to help them stay healthy. The Drexel Health Tracker can help users monitor any symptoms related to COVID-19 and connect them to resources if they feel sick. It also helps the University learn more about the spread of COVID-19 and how it is impacting the Drexel community, which in turn can shape our strategies moving forward to further reduce the risk of viral transmission on campus. Students must download the Drexel Health Tracker app at least 14 days prior to move-in.
Although this planning draws from the latest health agency data and recommendations, in addition to the collective wisdom and experience of University leaders and faculty experts, it will only be successful if everyone on campus actively participates in protecting the health and safety of others. In order to set clear expectations for all involved, new and returning students will take a mandatory COVID-19 Student Training course, which contains important information and instructions regarding campus protocols, and will be asked to sign the Drexel Dragon Pledge to show that they understand the commitment required to protect all members of our University community. Additionally, we are constructing a detailed University testing plan that will be shared via a separate communication.
We remain committed to preserving and maintaining the health and safety of all members of our University community as we reopen campus this fall, and we thank you for your patience and cooperation. We can’t wait to welcome you back to Drexel.
Sincerely,
Subir Sahu, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Success