COVID-19 Policy Updates

August 31, 2022

The policy updates from May 19, 2022, remain in place. In addition, professors may request that face-to-face students wear masks in the classroom.  

May 19, 2022

Updated Policy Regarding COVID-19 Isolation Requirements for HIU Residents

1. If student feeling ill or running a fever, student should test using rapid home test (provided by HIU) or at outside testing location if they choose.

a. If test NEGATIVE

i. No in-person classes until symptoms and/or fever gone (without the use of prescription or OTC medicine)
ii. Recommend mask in all public and shared spaces until all symptoms or fever gone

b. If test POSITIVE

i. Student should notify the Student Services and Residential Life Coordinator immediately.
ii. Student should self-isolate in room and minimize any activities in shared spaces of residence.
iii. Mask is required in all shared or common spaces including bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, etc.
iv. No in-person classes until the following clearance criteria are met:

1. 5-days passed from onset of symptom/fever and,
2. All symptoms/fever gone (without the use of prescription or OTC medicine) and,
3. Test negative.

v. Continue to wear mask in all public spaces for additional 5 days after meeting clearance criteria above.

2. After Notification by Student of POSITIVE COVID test, HIU will contact all housemates of student. All housemates should test using rapid home test or outside lab if they choose.

a. If test NEGATIVE

i. Can attend in-person classes but must wear mask at all times until housemate is cleared.
ii. Must wear mask in shared spaces of residence until housemate is cleared.

b. If test POSITIVE, follow instructions beginning at 1.b. above.

Students living in off-campus housing should follow all procedures outlined above but notification of shared off-campus housing is responsibility of student.
 

April 25, 2022

HIU has been following city, state, and federal guidance on COVID precautions since March 2020.

• While HIU has not reinstated its mask mandate, we strongly encourage everyone to wear a mask in crowded spaces, including where it is not possible to safely distance in classrooms.  
   
• As another reminder, please note that although a vaccine booster mandate. is not currently in place at HIU, receiving one is strongly encouraged, and may be required in the future.
• For those students in face-to-face courses, if you experience Covid symptoms, you should stay home and be tested. Home tests kits are available by contacting aburgess@hartfordinternational.edu through June 30,2022.
   
• Lastly, if you test positive for Covid-19, you are required to follow current CDC guidance on the recommended quarantine period. You should also inform your instructor to make arrangements for course material.

As always, the University appreciates your sensitivity to these matters, and your thoughtful consideration of your fellow community members.

February 3 Update

• The City of Hartford lifted its mask requirement yesterday, on February 1, 2022. In keeping with our practice of following government guidelines, masks are no longer required but strongly recommended in all HIU shared indoor spaces. As previously mentioned, N95 and KN95 masks provide additional protection and are available, if you do not have one, as you enter the 77 Sherman building. You are encouraged to respect individual’s decisions to wear or not wear a mask and aim to err on the side of caution, when in doubt, to keep our community healthy. However, it remains as a policy that if you received an authorized vaccination exemption, you are required to wear a mask inside the building and in classrooms.
   
• Additionally, as another reminder, please note that although a vaccine booster mandate is not currently in place at HIU, receiving one is strongly encouraged, and may be required in the future.
   
• Required COVID-19 testing for instructors and students in face-to-face classes has been extended to Monday, February 14^th. Please follow the previous protocol in terms of receiving and reporting your test the day of your class session.
   
• Lastly, be reminded that the U.S. government now provides 4 free COVID-19 tests. You can requests these tests here.  A second option to receive At-Home COVID Tests is through your health insurance provider. Please reach out to your current health insurance provider to receive information about how you can access tests for your personal use.

Jan. 3, 2022 Update

The City of Hartford reinstated its mask requirement on January 3, 2022. In keeping with this mandate, HIU requires that all individuals wear masks in HIU shared indoor spaces. Also, although the following has not been mandated, HIU strongly encourages the use of KN95 masks, which, if you do not have one, are available as you enter the 77 Sherman building. The spread of omicron, a highly transmissible Covid-19 variant, can be significantly reduced by using a proper mask. Please help by wearing one.

Additionally, please note that although a vaccine booster mandate is not currently in place at HIU, receiving one is strongly encouraged, and may be required in the near future. If you have already received your booster, please update your vaccination status with HIU by submitting an updated copy of your vaccination card to the Registrar (registrar@hartfordinternational.edu).

December 14 Update

COVID-19 reported case rates are increasing, and as the Omicron variant becomes more widespread in the US, the increase will likely accelerate, as it has in other countries. The holiday travel season will probably also push rates higher. 

 HIU will continue to follow federal, state, and city public health guidance. We continue to require vaccination for students and employees. We also strongly recommend that individuals seek a booster vaccination and that they wear masks whenever possible in the course of their work and study. 

Those students who have not previously attended a face-to-face course will need to demonstrate compliance with HIU COVID-19 policies before they can attend a January intercession or Spring semester face-to-face courses. Please see the Immunization Requirements.

Please stay safe and do all that you can to ensure your own health and that of those around you.

November 10 Update

HIU has been following city, state, and federal guidance on COVID precautions since March 2020.

The City of Hartford dropped its mask requirement on Nov. 9, 2021. While HIU will no longer require that vaccinated individuals wear masks in HIU shared indoor spaces, the State of Connecticut requires that all unvaccinated individuals still do so. Further, we also understand that in some circumstances wearing a mask in public indoor settings may be wise for all individuals, whether vaccinated or not. As you decide whether you will wear a mask at HIU, please consider:

* Although 98% of our employees and on-campus students are vaccinated, a few members of our community are unvaccinated.
* Some members of our community have elevated health concerns, whether of their own or for other members of their households.
* Masks help slow the spread of flu and colds as well as COVID.
* Some individuals may choose to wear a mask in deference to the needs of others, rather than because of personal concerns.

We appreciate your sensitivity to these matters, and your thoughtful consideration of your fellow community members as we work together to live and hopefully thrive through our present health challenges.

 

This communication updates the June 14, 2021, COVID-19 policy. 

Hartford International wishes to maintain a healthy environment for all of its students, staff, faculty, and visitors. The Hartford International follows CDC guidance for all of its gatherings. (See also WHO guidelines.) In addition, the city of Hartford issued a mask mandate on August 11, 2021. To provide a safe place the following measures have been taken:  

• Filters in the central air system in 77 Sherman Street have been upgraded 
• All shared spaces without central air filtering have been equipped with room-sized HEPA filtration units 
• Rooms have limited capacity based on a minimum 3-foot social distance. 
• Only classrooms with adequate airflow will be used for classes and events.
  Classes will meet for only one hour, before a break of at least 10 minutes to enable the air to ventilate properly. 
• There will be a 30-minute break between different classes using the same room. 
• Eating indoors in public spaces is not allowed. 
• Frequent handwashing with soap and water is encouraged 
• Hand sanitizer is available near building entrances 
• All individuals will be masked in public spaces. 
• All students will be required to be vaccinated upon FDA vaccine approval (see below). Those students who have received a waiver for the vaccine will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test weekly. 
• Tests can be scheduled through the student GoHealth app.  

Vaccine Policy 

Now that the FDA has given final approval to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, ending its “emergency use” status, all students taking in-person classes at Hartford International will be required to be vaccinated. Students should plan accordingly therefore, so that they do not need to miss classes because they have not yet been vaccinated. International students should check with their program director about vaccination timelines and opportunities for, when needed, vaccination upon arrival into the country. Students should submit proof of vaccination to the registrar immediately.  

 

FAQs 

What will the Hartford International accept as proof of vaccination?
For students receiving their vaccine in the United Sates, the preferred proof of immunity is a copy of your official CDC or other national vaccine card. Students unable to provide proof should contact the Dean’s Office (Dean@hartsem.edu).   

I don’t plan on receiving a vaccine. Are exemptions available?
Yes. The Hartford International will allow for both medical and religious exemptions. Students who have received exemptions must provide negative COVID test results before attending class each week. Students attending classes on campus who cannot provide a vaccination record or a negative COVID-19 test result will need to shift to a remote modality. If their course is only offered in a face-to-face format they should drop the course, following the normal add/drop policies.  

To request an exemption, please fill out the following exemption form and return this to the Registrar’s office (registrar@hartsem.edu). 

I’m planning to take a course on campus this fall, will I need to show proof of vaccination before I can attend?
Proof of vaccination will be required to attend courses on campus. Please submit proof of vaccination to the Registrar’s Office prior to the start of the fall semester. In order to provide the safest environment possible, students who cannot provide a vaccination record will need to shift to a remote modality. If their course is only offered in a face-to-face format they should drop the course, following the normal add/drop policies. Student building access will be restricted until their proof of vaccination or negative test result, for those students who have been granted a waiver, within three days of their class period is received by the registrar. 

Do I have to wear a mask when I return to campus?  

The Hartford International is following current CDC guidance. Currently, the CDC recommends that all individuals wear face coverings while indoors in public spaces and to maintain a minimum 3-foot distance. In addition, the city of Hartford issued a mask mandate on August 11, 2021. Masks are made available to those who need them upon entering any campus building. 

 

Stigma and Discrimination

Guidance issued from the Centers for Disease Control offers a reminder that people of Chinese and Asian descent, as well as travelers returning from areas more affected by the virus, could be at risk for stigma and discrimination. If you are experiencing any concerns along these lines, please contact Academic Dean David D. Grafton at dgrafton@hartsem.edu.

Additional Resources

For more information about the Coronavirus, please use these reference links, which are updated continually:

CDC Coronavirus page

World Health Organization Coronavirus page

State of Connecticut Coronavirus page 

Questions or Concerns 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 860-509-9500