Quinnipiac University
Commonly Searched Terms
Popular Resources
Quinnipiac University
Two students in face coverings walk across the quad

COVID-19 Resources

Students and Families

We are investing significant time and resources to provide our students and parents peace of mind that when they’re among their Bobcat family, their health, safety and support needs are our top priority. Below you'll find information below about our approach to academics, living on campus, dining, health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A student wearing a mask sits outside using his laptop

COVID Communications

Access an archive of university-issued communications about QU’s ongoing COVID mitigation efforts, key actions members of our community must take, and links to important resources.

View an archive of COVID communications

Explore Resources

Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

As we continue to learn more about COVID-19, we are using our increased understanding to make our community safer. Browse through this image gallery for the rundown of what’s new, or enhanced, for the spring semester:

A nurse in scrubs talks on the phone while she types at a computer

1. Dedicated RNs for students in isolation and quarantine — QU has partnered with UST Global, a health care service and technology company, to provide a dedicated team of registered nurses who will support any student who tests positive for COVID, or who is asked to quarantine due to possible exposure. RNs will make daily phone calls to students, perform contact tracing and support other services for QU Student Health Services. UST Global is being used by other colleges in Connecticut as well as by Fortune 500 companies, such as Microsoft and Salesforce.

A volunteer assists a student self-administer a COVID nasal swab test

2. Increasing student responsibility for on-campus testing — We heard your feedback about increasing students’ personal accountability in following our health protocols — and enforcing penalties for those who do not comply. This spring, the first time a student misses their assigned on-campus COVID-19 testing appointment, they will be denied access to all university facilities, activities, and in-person classes, and residential students will have 48 hours to get their own test, or else they will be removed from their QU-owned housing. Regular testing is the #1 way we protect the Bobcat Bubble — and each other’s health.

Two students sit and talk in their dorm room

3. University-wide campus arrival “containment” period — We will begin the semester with a university-wide campus arrival “containment” period. This period will extend from the time a student returns to their on- or off-campus housing until the start of in-person classes on Feb. 1. We reviewed state and CDC guidelines and determined this approach, coupled with our on-campus COVID testing, is the best way to minimize community spread as students return.

A person holds a smartphone in their hand

4. “Healthy Bobcats Tip Line” to report COVID policy infractions — We have set up a tip line where students, faculty and staff can report possible health and safety policy violations. All submissions will be kept confidential, but anonymous tips will not be accepted so we can follow up on and validate information provided. We all have a proactive role to play in supporting — and enforcing — our COVID policies. The “Healthy Bobcats Tip Line” can be reached by phone at 203-582-4333 or by email at COVID19SupportCenter@qu.edu

A person uses their smartphone to launch the symptom checking app

5. One-time log-in for the mobile symptom checker app – and you’re done! — No more signing in with your QU credentials each time you use the mobile symptom checking app. The app has been updated so that after signing in the first time, you’re in for the rest of the semester. Use the app daily to log your health status, note any COVID-related symptoms and “check in” to note whether or not you’re on campus. Using the app daily is one of the best preventive measures we have to detect the presence of COVID early.

A student wearing a face covering plays Super Smash Bros

6. More ways to engage and stay active on campus — A committee of students and staff spent the last month devising creative, fun ways we can safely stay engaged with each other throughout the semester. We don’t want to spill all the beans, but activities will include a Superbowl watch event, St. Patrick’s Day celebration, snowmen building contests, Winter Warrior Dash and QU’s first-ever “Bobcat Day.”

Students and staff strike a yoga pose in the woods

7. Self-care days for students — It’s important we support the physical and mental well-being of our QU community. Even though we will not have a traditional spring break, we will offer several self-care days throughout the spring semester during which classes will not be held. Self-care days will be held March 9 and April 21, and May 3 will be a study day with no classes in preparation for finals.

A student at a computer connects to class virtually from a dorm room

8. Enhanced university communications — We know we sent A LOT of communications during the fall. While the nature of COVID will require we continue to communicate frequently, we have made several enhancements we hope will make it easier to cut through the clutter: The Key 3 – we’ll call out the 3 most important actions or pieces of information you need at the top of every email, before you even have to start scrolling on your phone; COVID Dashboard – we are enhancing the design and information provided on our COVID dashboard on QU.edu.

What are you protecting? video

What Are You Protecting?

Student Support CARE Team

Students in masks talk outside socially distanced

By partnering with members of the Quinnipiac community, the CARE Team works to promote student well-being and success in the context of community safety. CARE referrals are submitted by faculty, staff, students and community members. Helping a student during difficult times, such as the passing of a loved one; supporting students experiencing social challenges with roommates, friends and/or peers; and supporting students whose physical, emotional, mental, spiritual or financial health is at risk are examples of the type of help available.

The multidisciplinary team, trained in both behavioral intervention and threat assessment, meets weekly to review and discuss new referrals, ongoing cases, and the best course of action to support the student of concern. Referrals should be submitted using the CARE and Conduct Incident Reporting Form. The form and other information, such as team membership, when to make a referral, and a list of frequently asked questions, can be found on the MyQ CARE Team site.

Learn more about the CARE Team

 

More Information About CARE

Respecting the Community

Reports on the spread of COVID-19 infections are a source of stress and concern for many, but it is critical that we pause and reflect on how our words and reactions can affect others during this global health crisis. Now more than ever, it’s important for all members of the Quinnipiac community to treat one another with care and dignity.

Please consider the following:

  • Resist the tendency to make broad generalizations about people. Uncertainty about the coronavirus may lead to anxiety and fear. Harmful behaviors can occur when anxiety and fear are projected onto entire social groups. Such behavior is harmful to the well-being of targeted individuals and does not protect anyone from the coronavirus.
  • Treat community members with care and empathy. Try to walk in the shoes of others rather than treating someone with suspicion or implicit bias.
  • Be vigilant outside of work about social distancing and proper hygiene at locations you visit during non-work hours.
  • Continue to follow recommended health and safety guidelines as Connecticut re-opens for business.
Ending the stigma

Ending the Stigma

Active Bystander Online Training Course

The training outlines community standards we must all observe and reinforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers bystander intervention, and what steps you can take to be supportive, active bystanders and to empower your fellow students, faculty and staff to do the same.

Watch the training video

University-Sponsored Travel Policy 2020–21

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on worldwide travel and global health risks, Quinnipiac is pausing student, faculty and staff participation in international and domestic university-sponsored travel for Fall 2020, Winter 2021 and Spring 2021. This includes travel for semester- and short-term study abroad, faculty-led trips, conferences, research, and domestic study away programs directly operated by Quinnipiac, partner institutions and third-party providers. If travel resumes for these terms, approval for travel will need to be evaluated by the Management Committee and COVID-19 Taskforce.

This decision is based primarily on the health and safety concerns associated with global travel and ongoing revisions to entry requirements, visa processes and travel advisories.

COVID-19 Return to Campus Online Training Course

All students, faculty and staff were required to complete Quinnipiac's COVID-19 Return to Campus online training course. It contained important information about the many health and safety protocols we have put in place throughout our campuses to minimize risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Access the course on MyQ

COVID-19 Assumption of Risk

Students:

The university has taken steps to implement substantial precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. By entering onto the Quinnipiac University campus, the student agrees to abide by all university’s policies and procedures related to COVID-19. The student voluntarily and knowingly assumes the risk of exposure to or infection of COVID-19 by using the services or premises, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury or illness. The student also acknowledges that it is impossible to fully mitigate the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 and that such exposure or infection may result from the actions, omissions or negligence of the student, university faculty and staff and other students or visitors to campus. The university will follow all state guidelines and provide guidance on proper protection to alleviate and/or decrease the spread of viruses.

Vendors:

The university has taken steps to implement substantial precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. By entering onto the Quinnipiac University campus, the vendor agrees to abide by all university’s policies and procedures related to COVID-19. The vendor voluntarily and knowingly assumes the risk of exposure to or infection of COVID-19 by using the services or premises, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury or illness. The vendor also acknowledges that it is impossible to fully mitigate the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 and that such exposure or infection may result from the actions, omissions or negligence of the vendor, university faculty and staff and other students or visitors to campus. The university will follow all state guidelines and provide guidance on proper protection to alleviate and/or decrease the spread of viruses.

Faculty and Staff:

The university has taken steps to implement substantial precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. By entering onto the Quinnipiac University campus, the employee agrees to abide by all university’s policies and procedures related to COVID-19. The employee also acknowledges that it is impossible to fully mitigate the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 and that such exposure or infection may result from the actions, omissions or negligence of the employee, university faculty and staff, students or visitors to campus. The university will follow all state guidelines and provide guidance on proper protection to alleviate and/or decrease the spread of viruses.

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about the policies or information contained in this Return to Campus Guide, please don't hesitate to reach out.

For general questions, please email covid19supportcenter@qu.edu

COVID-19 Data Dashboard

COVID-19 Task Force