Skip to main content

IU Today

IU Today News for staff & faculty

IU plans to continue all health, safety measures

By IU Today

December 13, 2021

Communities across the state are currently seeing increases in the number of COVID-19 cases, primarily due to the delta variant. Because of this, along with the approaching winter weather, Indiana University plans to continue all of its health and safety measures to protect against the spread of COVID-19 heading into the spring 2022 semester.

Here’s a look at what that means until we re-evaluate in January:

Classes

Classes will continue to be held in person, and the university will continue with mostly normal operations. High vaccination rates, along with health and safety policies, allow as many on-campus academic, research and creative activities as possible.

Masks

Masks must still be worn inside all buildings on all campuses in public areas. This requirement applies to all members of the university community, including employees, students, contractors, suppliers, vendors and visitors.

Remote work

Staff employees with active remote work arrangements will see those arrangements continue, provided they have been properly requested, approved and recorded in the Remote Work Arrangement System. Further details about the remote work system and other remote work resources are available through Human Resources.

Per the university’s policy for Remote Work for Staff and Temporary Employees (HR-06-80), each new remote work arrangement must be reviewed by the unit after 90 days. After that, remote work assignments must be reviewed by the unit at least every six months and are subject to adjustment at the discretion of the supervisor.

Please note: The Remote Work Arrangement System is not intended for academic employees’ remote work arrangements. Academic employees are guided by policy ACA-83.

COVID-19, flu vaccines

All employees are strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 booster and a flu vaccine.

On Nov. 29, the CDC recommended that everyone 18 and older get a booster when possible. If you received Pfizer or Moderna, get your booster six months after your second dose. For Johnson & Johnson, get your booster two months following your initial dose.

You do not need to report your booster to IU. You’re still considered fully vaccinated after two doses of Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of Johnson & Johnson.

Employees who are unable to work due to adverse reactions to any COVID-19 vaccine — or boosters received on or after Nov. 28 — can use the Keep IU Healthy Leave to cover up to three days of time off per dose. Further detail about this leave is available in an additional story in IU Today.

In addition, it’s not too late to get a flu vaccine. IU continues to strongly encourage students, faculty and staff to get a flu shot this year. Some campuses continue to offer flu vaccines on campus. They’re also available at local retail pharmacies or your health care provider’s office.

And don’t forget: One way you can help protect the IU community is to stay home if you are sick; staff should follow their unit’s call-in procedures when reporting illnesses.

On-campus COVID-19 testing

COVID-19 testing will continue to be available on all campuses, including both symptomatic and asymptomatic testing. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be required to participate in COVID Check testing weekly in the spring semester.

Events

Organizers of conferences, events and programs with 50 or more participants must continue to submit their event to the University Events Review Committee for review and official approval. Relevant COVID-19 policies and guidance must be followed in all cases, and apply to all IU-sponsored conferences and events, regardless of location (both on and off campus).

Resources for more info