2021-22 COVID Information
As Midland prepares for students to return to campus for the fall 2021 semester, the overriding goal is to return to normal to the extent possible while still keeping our campus community safe. Our students deserve the full Midland experience, which includes in-person classes and robust student activities, including athletics and arts.
Midland continues to partner with Three Rivers Public Health Department and other local health officials in making decisions regarding our COVID-19 policy. The university has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation both locally and nationally, paying special attention to the recent CDC guidance and information related to the Delta variant.
COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in our area, and the CDC currently lists both Dodge and Douglas County’s level of community transmission as high. Midland is in a unique situation in that we have students from 43 different states and 19 different countries. Many of those students returning to campus come from geographic regions with substantial or high transmission. Many of our students, faculty, and staff have members of their households who are under the age of 12 and do not have the protection of a vaccine.
The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and their families continue to be our top priority at Midland. As such, Midland University has made the following decisions regarding vaccinations and wearing of masks:
- Effective Monday, August 30th, 2021, all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus will be required to wear masks while indoors. This decision follows the current CDC recommendations. We will return to the same mask-wearing protocols we utilized last academic year until such time as the CDC guidelines change and/or our local area’s level of community transmission drops below substantial level. Students will be required to wear masks in the dining hall. Once seated, they may remove the mask to eat. Masks will not be required in individual offices and residents’ rooms.
- Midland University strongly recommends students, faculty, and staff receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccinations offer the best chance for our campus to ensure students receive the full Midland experience. In addition, being vaccinated will help avoid severe illness or hospitalization. Students who are fully vaccinated and symptom-free will not be required to quarantine should they be exposed to COVID-19.
- Vaccinations are free and widely available in Fremont. Free vaccines are available at Three Rivers Public Health Department every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Three Rivers Public Health Department is located at 2400 N Lincoln Ave in Fremont and is about 1.5 miles from Midland’s main campus. In addition, free vaccines are available at most local pharmacies. Midland will host an on-campus vaccine clinic on Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Olson Student Center.
- Upon arrival on campus, students will be required to present a valid COVID-19 vaccination card (preferred) or take a rapid COVID-19 test. Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test will need to isolate for 10 days before participating in classes or campus activities.
- Students, faculty, and staff should continue to practice good hygiene, report any symptoms, exposure, or close contact, and get tested when COVID-19 symptoms present. This will help ensure the safety of everyone on campus.
Midland University understands this is a fluid situation and will continue working with local health experts to help ensure a safe environment. Please visit our FAQs page and continue to check our website for further information.
