NEWS & RESOURCES FOR SPRING 2022 - Updated Jan. 5, 2022
As we continue to operate in the midst of a global pandemic, our COVID-19 Response Task Force and Working Groups continue to collaborate to make decisions that will provide an MVNU Experience that is as close to “normal” as possible. As part of our ongoing efforts, we will remain in direct communication with local and state health officials to stay up-to-date with the ever-changing recommendations and conditions to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe and healthy.
This page will be your source of information throughout Spring Semester 2022 as we adapt our guidelines and protocols to the current campus conditions.
MVNU Student, Faculty and Staff COVID-19 Dashboard
This dashboard details the current and cumulative COVID-19 cases among the MVNU Community since Jan. 3, 2022. Information will be updated weekly on Friday afternoons or as conditions warrant.
- Current Active Cases —
- Currently Monitoring —
- Total Cumulative Cases —
- Pending a PCR test result —
*Data currently unavailable for the week of Jan. 3, 2022.
Active Cases have a positive test result and are under medical supervision off-campus.
Monitoring Cases are community members possibly exposed to a positive case and in quarantine on and off-campus.
Total Cumulative Cases are the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in the MVNU Community since Sept. 1, 2021.
Pending PCR test result means the virus was detected during saliva surveillance screening. A PCR test is then required to confirm COVID-19.
Students, faculty, and staff may upload vaccination cards here.
MVNU Spring 2022 Guidelines - Updated Jan. 5, 2022
As we prepare for the start of classes, it is important that we update our COVID-19 protocols to follow recent recommendations from the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control.
Both agencies have reduced the number of isolation and quarantine days to reflect the timeframe when the Omicron variant is most transmissible — 1-2 days prior to the onset of symptoms and 2-3 days after. In addition, the science is showing there is much less risk of transmission seven days after symptoms begin. This means Omicron runs its course much faster — it develops faster, spreads faster, takes less time to recover and has a shorter infectious period.
MVNU has adopted the following protocols which are effective immediately:
ISOLATION PROTOCOL
If you have COVID-19 (regardless of symptoms or vaccination status) you must:
- Be placed in isolation (off campus) for five days
- Stay away from other people as much as possible
- If you have a fever or other symptoms that haven’t improved on day six:
- Stay in isolation until fever is gone and other symptoms are better
- Wear a mask when around others for the next five days
- If fever and symptoms have improved by day six:
- Resume activities with a mask for the next five days
CONTACT TRACING PROTOCOL
If you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and are unvaccinated:
- Quarantine at home for five days and get a proctored COVID-19 test on day 5 from your family physician, urgent care, pharmacy, etc. If your test is negative, you may return to campus, but must wear a mask when around others for the next five days. If you develop symptoms or test positive, follow MVNU’s isolation protocol.
OR
- Choose Ohio Department of Health’s “Mask to Stay, Test to Play (MSTP)” quarantine option and remain on campus. MSTP requires masking and the submission of two saliva samples for screening. Visit mvnu.edu/stayinformed for more details.
If you were exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and are vaccinated:
- Wear a mask when around others for 10 days.
- Submit a saliva sample on day 5.
- If you develop symptoms or test positive, follow MVNU’s isolation protocol.
FACE MASKS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
According to the CDC, the Omicron variant spreads more easily than previous variants, and very early in the lifecycle of the virus. Because a face mask serves as a layer of protection against airborne particles, it is highly recommended that you wear a face mask while inside campus buildings. This is especially important as we conduct entry screening this week.
Faculty reserves the right to require face masks in their classroom.
Spring 2022 Screening Requirements
Weekly screening
Weekly screening of unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff started Jan. 9, 2022.
A fine structure has been implemented for students who fail to submit weekly saliva samples as requested. Fines will be issued as follows:
- First miss — $25
- Second miss — $50
- Third miss — $75
- Fourth miss — $100, and so on.
Protocols continuing from Fall 2021
Effective Friday, Oct. 29, the face mask requirement in indoor public spaces has been removed with the following exceptions:
- Face masks will be required in Student Health Services.
- Faculty reserve the right to require face masks in the classroom. Please refer to each course syllabus, or faculty announcement, for such requirement.
- Participation in Mask to Stay, Test to Play (see below).
We are also implementing a new option to off-campus quarantine. Those placed in quarantine may:
- Choose to go home for 5-day quarantine, or
- Agree to Mask to Stay, Test to Play Protocol
- Wear a mask in ALL indoor public spaces for 10 days after the last date of exposure.
- Test twice within those 10 days
- The first test is the next available test time after exposure
- The second test is on day 5
- Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
- Contact the nurse immediately at 740-507-0275 or nurse@mvnu.edu if you notice symptoms
- You may be released from quarantine on day 10 after you are cleared by the nurse. Should you choose this option, more specific instructions will be provided.
Failure to comply with all aspects of Mask to Stay, Test to Play will result in being sent home for traditional quarantine.
MASK TO STAY, TEST TO PLAY PROTOCOL FAQS AS OF OCT. 29
Mask to Stay is an option adopted by the Ohio Department of Health in the Fall 2021, to keep students in the classroom instead of at-home quarantine. It allows those who have been exposed to the virus to remain in the classroom — and active on campus — by agreeing to wear a face mask and test. The requirements are:
- Wear a mask in ALL indoor public spaces for 7 days after the last date of exposure.
- Test twice within those 7 days
- The first test is the next available test time after exposure
- The second test is on day 7
- Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.
- Contact nurse immediately at 740-507-0275 or nurse@mvnu.edu if you notice symptoms
- You may be released from quarantine on day 7 after you are cleared by the nurse.
Should you choose this option, more specific instructions will be provided.
Failure to comply with all aspects of Mask to Stay, Test to Play will result in being sent home for traditional quarantine.
Quarantine removes you from campus to monitor symptoms.
With the Mask to Stay, Test to Play option, you will remain in class and on campus to seamlessly continue your academics and college experience. However, you will be required to wear a face mask, self-monitor, and test to meet the option protocols. You will not be required to stay in your room or apartment but must be responsible to protect yourself and others should you develop symptoms or test positive for the virus.
Failure to comply with all aspects of Mask to Stay, Test to Play will result in being sent home for traditional quarantine.
Yes. Athletes may practice and compete as long as they are in compliance the Mask to Stay, Test to Play.
No. Those testing positive for COVID-19 are required to isolate off campus during the recovery period.
Yes, faculty and staff may choose this option instead of traditional quarantine.
No. Those who are fully vaccinated remain exempt from quarantine options and screening.
Those who tested positive are exempt from screening and any form of quarantine for 30 days from date of positive test.
This means any areas on campus that are open to the entire MVNU Community including:
- Classrooms
- Chapel
- Ariel Arena
- Academic Buildings
- Lobbies
- Library
- Offices
- Dining Hall
- Welcome Center
- Indoor Intramural Sports
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms.
Anyone experiencing COVID symptoms — vaccinated or unvaccinated — should report their symptoms to the campus nurse at 740-507-0275 or nurse@mvnu.edu and submit a saliva sample.
Of course.
No. All unvaccinated individuals will be screened on a weekly basis. Emails will be sent each Saturday for the screening the next week.
A fine structure has been implemented for students who fail to submit saliva samples as requested. Fines will be issued as follows:
- First miss — $25
- Second miss — $50
- Third miss — $75
- Fourth miss — $100, and so on.
Results will be available at health.mvnu.edu by evening the day following submission.
HEERF/EMERGENCY FUNDS
What is HEERF?
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds are part of each of the three COVID-19 bills passed by Congress and signed by the presidents through 2020 and 2021. These included the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (2020), the 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (December 2020), and the American Rescue Plan (March 2021). The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund within the acts provided money to colleges and universities to disburse to students as emergency grants for expenses related to and income lost due to COVID-19.
When will funds be available to students?
MVNU submitted the application for the funding and was approved to begin disbursing funds in late April 2020. With each additional act passed, MVNU was granted additional funds to allocate through the original application.
MVNU has emergency grants available to aid students who are facing unexpected financial challenges related to the pandemic. Students may use the funds toward any component of the cost of attendance, or for emergency costs that arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic such as food, housing, tuition, health care (including mental health care), or child care, in addition to income from lost wages.
MVNU recognizes the broad impacts of COVID-19 and is making these funds available to undergraduate, graduate and professional students on all campuses.
Who is eligible for these funds?
Emergency grant aid will be awarded in accordance with federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations. Requirements for the American Rescue Plan funds differ from previous allotments. Students can apply for emergency grants through the Emergency Grant Application and address questions to stayinformed@mvnu.edu. Eligibility requirements differ by funding source, but the university will address applications from students who meet these criteria:
-
Registered for classes at MVNU on or after March 13, 2020, the date of declaration of the national emergency considering the novel coronavirus disease; and
-
Have or can demonstrate financial need or hardship caused by or because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note: MVNU is required to prioritize students with exceptional need.
How can I apply for COVID-19 Emergency Funds?
Please fill out the COVID-19 Emergency Funds application located at this link. Applications will be reviewed by a committee on a continual basis as they are received; priority will be given to applications submitted by September 15, 2021. Students will be notified of the committee’s decision via email.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Reporting
Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students
The following information is provided to comply with the Department of Education's CARES Act Reporting requirements. This information is limited to CARES Act funding and does not include grant programs utilizing institutional funds.
Reporting as of: December 30, 2020
Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) submitted a Funding Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to the Department of Education in April 2020. MVNU was granted a total of $1,310,478 to help mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19. Pursuant to this agreement, MVNU assures that no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(A)(1) of the CARES Act are being used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University was allocated $655,239 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a) (1) of the CARES Act as of December 30, 2020 is $665,239. MVNU will report updates at least every quarter.
The total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(a) of the CARES Act is 1,232.
All eligible students of Mount Vernon Nazarene University (1,232 students) were given $250 under the Emergency Financial Aid Grants. Students were invited to apply for additional emergency funds, as need arose. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a) (1) of the CARES Act beyond the initial award is 103. In December 2020, MVNU awarded additional monies to continuing eligible students based on need. The amounts students received is variable and dependent upon financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (if applicable).The number of students awarded these funds is 924.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University has established an application process for students to request funds for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. The Emergency Grant Form is available to all students. Award amounts are determined by MVNU based upon an individualized review of the student emergency grant application in accordance with guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education. As of December 30, 2020, the average additional amount awarded to eligible students is $540.
MVNU announced the availability of emergency grants in a message from the president sent on May 5, 2020, to all students, and the message was reiterated in several follow-up emails to the university community. A message was sent to eligible students in December 2020 notifying them of the additionally awarded funds, sent from the “MVNU CARES Act Committee”. Additionally, the university amplified awareness through a media release and social media. These student notifications include information that funds may be used for allowable expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care expenses.
MVNU students can visit the Student Financial Aid COVID-19 webpage (www.mvnu.edu/stayinformed) for additional information and specific guidance regarding Emergency Financial Aid Grants, including to review program information, eligibility requirements and directions for submitting an application.
MVNU acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the MVNU has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
MVNU has received a total of $3,386,824 from the Department for use in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP (a)(a) and (a)(4) programs.
As of September 30, 2021, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students is $1,444,599, between the CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP allotments.
Approximately 2,875 students are eligible to receive grants.
As of September 30, 2021, 2,495 students have received awards. The average total award is $972.
The amounts students received is variable and dependent upon financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (if applicable). Emergency applications were made available to all eligible students and were prioritized by financial need caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Awards continue.
MVNU announced the availability of emergency grants in messages from the president sent on May 5, 2020, December 21, 2020, April 13, 2021, August 24, 2021, and October 1, 2021.The messages were reiterated in several follow-up emails to the university community. Messages were sent to eligible students notifying them of the additionally awarded funds, sent from the “MVNU CARES Act Committee”. Additionally, the university amplified awareness through media releases and social media. These student notifications include information that funds may be used for allowable expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare expenses, and lost wages.
MVNU students can visit the Student Financial Aid COVID-19 webpage (www.mvnu.edu/stayinformed) for additional information and specific guidance regarding Emergency Financial Aid Grants, including to review program information, eligibility requirements and directions for submitting an application for emergency funds.
MVNU acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the MVNU has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
MVNU has received a total of $3,386,824 from the Department for use in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP (a)(a) and (a)(4) programs.
As of December 31, 2021, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students is $2,639,273, between the CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP allotments.
Approximately 2,875 students are eligible to receive grants.
As of December 31, 2021, 2,495 students have received awards. The average total award is $1,057.
The amounts students received is variable and dependent upon financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (if applicable). Emergency applications were made available to all eligible students and were prioritized by financial need caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Awards continue.
MVNU announced the availability of emergency grants in messages from the president sent on May 5, 2020, December 21, 2020, April 13, 2021, August 24, 2021, and October 1, 2021.The messages were reiterated in several follow-up emails to the university community. Messages were sent to eligible students notifying them of the additionally awarded funds, sent from the “MVNU CARES Act Committee”. Additionally, the university amplified awareness through media releases and social media. These student notifications include information that funds may be used for allowable expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare expenses, and lost wages.
MVNU students can visit the Student Financial Aid COVID-19 webpage (www.mvnu.edu/stayinformed) for additional information and specific guidance regarding Emergency Financial Aid Grants, including to review program information, eligibility requirements and directions for submitting an application for emergency funds.
- HEERF Reporting 4Q 2021 (PDF)
- HEERF Reporting 3Q 2021 (PDF)
- HEERF Reporting 2Q 2021 (PDF)
- HEERF Reporting 1Q 2021 (PDF)
- HEERF Reporting 4Q 2020 (PDF)
- HEERF Reporting 3Q 2020 (PDF)