In an email to the American University community Thursday, the Office of Campus Life provided updates to AU’s coronavirus health and safety protocols.
In preparation for the fall semester, the OCL reiterated several previous policies, as well as an update to the testing policies the University had previously laid out for the summer.
“For the remainder of the summer, AU will continue to provide antigen tests to all community members,” the email said. “COVID-19 antigen tests will continue to be available at current locations, including the Testing Clinic in Beeghly Hall. These antigen tests are for at-home use. No on-site testing will be conducted.”
In the email, the administration touted the University’s high vaccination rate, which stands at 98 percent. The update went on to restate its vaccination policy for incoming students, requiring all community members to provide proof of full vaccination, as well as at least one booster shot.
For exemptions, individuals must provide documentation supporting the exemption prior to their presence on campus. “For students, medical exemption requests are submitted to the Student Health Center and religious exemption requests are submitted to the Office of the President.”
According to the email, the current policy of masking is that although it is not required on campus, AU reserves the ability to require face masks in settings where large groups of people will be congregating.
“If a member of our community asks others to wear a mask when they are in close contact with one another, including faculty in our classrooms or labs and staff in our offices, please treat such requests with respect and give them full consideration.”
An additional update to the protocols will be provided to the AU community prior to the beginning of the semester.
