COVID-19 Guidance for Russell Sage College

Throughout the pandemic, we’ve adjusted our policies to align with evolving Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state department of health guidance. Although COVID-19 has not gone away, our ability as a nation to address it has improved through developments in vaccines and treatments. On May 11, 2023, the federal government ended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

The COVID-19 vaccination series or boosters are not required for members of our Russell Sage community

We no longer require the COVID-19 vaccination series or boosters for members of our Sage community. Students in programs that require clinical or experiential training should be mindful that clinical sites may still require proof of vaccination for COVID-19. The vaccine remains an important and proven tool in preventing serious illness. We strongly recommend everyone stay up to date on their vaccines based on CDC recommendations and the advice of their health providers. The CDC reminds us that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and that millions of people have received the COVID-19 vaccine under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. The CDC recommends that all individuals over 6 months of age have an updated booster. Please look for the on-campus flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic that will be held in the fall.

According to the CDC’s updated guidance people with respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, will NO longer need to isolate for 5 days, they can resume normal activities when for at least 24 hours, both are true:

1.Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
2.You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

The CDC recommends that when you go back to your normal activities to take added precaution over the next 5 days. Please see the link above for additional guidance.

The following updates also apply:

TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID:

Students DO NOT need to inform the Wellness Center of their positive test.

CLASS ATTENDANCE FOR COVID-19 POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS:

Students with any respiratory/infectious illness should stay home and away from others until they have met the above guidance from the CDC. As is the case with any illness, students should communicate directly with faculty members and be prepared to connect with a classmate to get any materials they need to stay current in their classes.

The Wellness Center remains available to support you in case of illness. Please contact us directly to make an appointment or to request a COVID at home test kit.

As always, we will monitor COVID-19 rates and guidelines and adjust as needed. Thank you for your efforts to protect your health and the health of our Sage community.