Spring 2022 COVID-19 Response

While York College is not requiring students to be vaccinated for COVID-19, we recognize the importance of vaccination to achieve as much normalcy as possible during this academic year. Therefore, we will continue to strongly encourage all members of the community to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive boosters on the recommended schedule.

Please note that some activities and programs may require vaccination in order to participate (e.g., study abroad, clinical assignments, athletics). 

Vaccinated students should submit the Proof of Vaccination Form prior to the start of the semester.

Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and the low positivity rate on campus, masks will be optional on the York College campus EXCEPT DURING CLASSES where there is no opportunity for social distancing.

Please consider that some members of our community may be uncomfortable meeting with others who are not wearing masks. Students and employees are asked to respect and accommodate requests to wear a mask during meetings, or to meet via Zoom.

The following students will be entered into a pool to participate in surveillance testing during the Spring 2022 semester. Surveillance testing is mandatory.

• All students who are not vaccinated
• Individuals who are not up-to-date on booster vaccination

A booster is required for vaccination records to be considered up-to-date IF it has been over five months since your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or if it has been over two months since you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

If you receive a vaccination or booster during the semester, you may share your updated vaccination record with Health Services. Once your results have been verified, you will be removed from the random surveillance testing group.

If you have tested positive for COVID, regardless of vaccination status, notify Health Services or HR (employees) and:

• Isolate for 5 days. Return to campus (class/work) on day 6 if you have improving symptoms and are fever-free for 24 hours. Continue to wear a mask through day 10.

Please notify Health Center staff of your positive test by calling 717-849-1615 or email healthcenter@ycp.edu. Please include your name and cell phone number in your message.

Students who test positive must leave campus immediately, even if you have not yet spoken with the Health Center staff, and return to your permanent residence to complete your isolation period. You are required to isolate off-campus until your “return to campus” date, which will be provided by York College Health Services.

If you are up-to-date on vaccinations (including a booster, if eligible), use of a mask is mandatory until Day 10 after exposure. You should test on Day 5, or earlier if you develop symptoms. No need to quarantine.

If you have had COVID in the last 90 days, use of a mask is mandatory until Day 10. No need to quarantine.

If you are not up-to-date on vaccinations (including a booster, if eligible), you must quarantine for 5 days following exposure, test on Day 5, and return to classes on Day 6. Use of a mask is mandatory until Day 10. 

Students must report any exposure or symptoms to Health Services. Faculty/staff must report exposure or symptoms to Human Resources.
Regardless of vaccination or close contact status, masks are required inside all campus buildings.

What does "Up-to-Date" mean?

You are considered up-to-date on your vaccinations if you fulfill the following criteria:

• You have completed the primary series of either the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine
  AND
• You have received a booster, if eligible. (NOTE: You are eligible for a booster if you completed the primary series of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over five months ago, or if you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over two months ago.)

Students must quarantine/isolate off campus. With all students back on campus for in-person instruction, we have an extremely limited number of quarantine/isolation spaces on campus. These spaces are for the most extreme circumstances and must be approved by Health Center administration.

In the rare event that students remain on campus for isolation/quarantine, please remember that healthcare is not available 24/7.

Suggestions for off-campus quarantine/isolation:

• Permanent residence
• Family friend
• Local hotel
• Any other off-campus location

The most secure place for students to quarantine/isolate is at their permanent residence where they can be under the watchful eye of a parent/guardian, and where healthcare needs can be tended to in a timely manner.