Dear Temple students, 

I hope you are having a relaxing winter break and are staying healthy and safe. The start of the spring semester is just around the corner, and I wanted to remind you of the expectations for Temple students, both before and after you return to campus. As I’ve said before, we must continue doing what’s necessary to protect one another no matter how hard it feels. I know we’re ready for the next chapter in our lives and, I’m so happy to say, we’re starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

In order to ensure the appropriate level of protection, you are required to comply with all university protocols and city regulations for the duration of the spring semester. This includes following protocols for testing, contact tracing, and quarantining and isolating; limitations on social gatherings; and restrictions on guests in university housing. 

Students returning from outside of Pennsylvania are required to comply with city and state requirements for travelers. This includes either 1) obtaining a negative test result 72 hours before your return, or 2) quarantining for 10 days upon your return or until you receive a negative test result. Out-of-state students can choose to be tested once they return, but they are required to quarantine for 10 days, or until receiving a negative test result. 

Pennsylvania-based students who did not leave the state over winter break are required to quarantine for 10 days prior to the start of classes on Tuesday, Jan. 19. 

Students living in on-campus housing should have received information about your pre-arrival COVID-19 test. As a reminder, if you test positive before your planned return, you’ll be required to start the semester virtually while you isolate at home.

COVID-19 vaccines
Though some groups have started to receive the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccinations, the reality is we’ll be living with the virus for some time until the vaccine is widely available. The vaccine does not provide a “free pass” to return to pre-COVID-19 behaviors. For those who have already been vaccinated, it is critical to continue to practice the four public health pillars—wearing a mask, washing your hands, keeping six feet of physical distance and monitoring your health. 

While the city of Philadelphia and Temple develop their vaccine distribution plans, the nation is relying on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prioritize who gets the vaccine first. I look forward to sharing more information with you as Temple’s plan takes shape. 

Spring Testing Plan
Details and instructions about the spring COVID-19 testing plan will be sent out in the next few days. Please continue to check your Temple email for updates. 

We must continue to work together to achieve the successful semester we all desire. Each one of us doing our part will mean that we all get to navigate 2021 together and to continue to work towards a more resilient Temple community. 

Thank you for protecting yourself in order to keep others safe. We are in this together so we can be together. 

Sincerely, 

Mark Denys 
Senior Director, Health Services