09/19/2023
By Julie Nash

As highlighted in last week's Today@UMass Lowell, the beginning of the school year coincides with an uptick in respiratory illnesses, putting us in the position of needing to balance the importance of class attendance with the well-being of our students, faculty and staff, particularly in light of the prevailing health circumstances.

While UML does not enforce a universal class attendance policy, please communicate your expectations regarding attendance to your students and specify how you would like to be informed if a student is unable to attend class.

As most of you know, many common illnesses, such as the common cold and minor gastrointestinal ailments, are responsive to self-care, including over-the-counter medication and rest. Consequently, some students may not feel well enough to attend class but may not require medical attention or treatment. With that in mind, as well as students' privacy rights, please refrain from requesting or accepting documentation related to a student's health status as a means of determining the legitimacy of an absence.

UMass Lowell, like many other institutions, is adapting its approach to managing COVID-19 in response to increasing vaccination rates, acquired immunity, and the reduced impact of the current variant on the general population. Detailed information on what to do if a student tests positive for COVID-19 can be found on the Health Advisory page. It's important to note that members of the UML community are not obligated to report their COVID-19 status or exposure, as contact tracing is no longer in effect.

In line with current public health guidance, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate themselves for five days from the day they develop symptoms or test positive, whichever comes first. After this period, they may return to normal activities provided they have resolving symptoms and are fever-free. During the following 10 days, they should wear face masks when in the company of others.

People exposed to COVID-19 may continue with their regular activities as long as they feel well. Current guidance suggests wearing a face covering for 10 days and ideally testing on day 6 following exposure.

We appreciate your cooperation and dedication to our community's well-being as we navigate these evolving health challenges together. Please feel free to reach out to the Wellness Center if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your commitment to our university community.