To the Temple community: 

Since our last message about Temple’s plans for a return to primarily in-person operations for the fall semester, we are now even more confident that we will be able to provide a robust, in-person academic and campus experience for our students. With COVID-19 vaccines available nationwide for anyone age 12 and older and the sharp decrease in active cases, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health has ended most of the restrictions put into place to combat the pandemic. As we have all along, Temple is following the city’s guidance and adopting similar measures, including the relaxation of capacity and distancing restrictions. 

With the easing of restrictions, we want to share the steps the entire Temple community—faculty, staff and students—can take to ensure a successful return to the vibrant campus we love this fall. 

• Get vaccinated. Vaccines are widely available throughout the city, the region and the country, and they are safe, effective and free. Everyone is strongly urged to get a vaccine. Students, faculty and staff can call 215-204-7500 to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine at Student Health Services, 1700 N. Broad St., 4th floor.
• Upload your vaccine information to Temple’s patient health portal. This is a critical step in providing information needed to effectively plan for the fall semester. If you do not upload your vaccine information, you will be considered unvaccinated by the university.

More information regarding options for getting a COVID-19 vaccine on campus will be shared in the coming weeks.

Following the city’s guidelines, on-campus protocols regarding the use of face masks will differ for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. 

• Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, except in certain high-risk areas. Fully vaccinated individuals may opt to wear a mask in situations where doing so will make them feel more comfortable.
• Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks indoors, except when eating or drinking, and outdoors, when a safe distance from others cannot be maintained.

Likewise, vaccinated individuals are not required to participate in the university’s COVID-19 testing program. Those who have not uploaded proof of vaccination are considered unvaccinated and will be regularly tested for COVID-19.

• Unvaccinated faculty and staff coming to campus as part of their work schedule or for other purposes will be required to be tested starting July 19.
• Unvaccinated students who are enrolled in summer sessions will continue to be regularly tested for COVID-19, as explained in May. 
• Unvaccinated students who are returning to campus for the fall semester will be tested regularly starting Monday, Aug. 23.

Those who will be required to be tested will receive an email with more information about the testing process and how to schedule testing appointments the week of July 5. 

The start of a new academic year is always a time of great anticipation and excitement, but the feeling is even stronger this year. We know the entire Temple community is eager to meet the incoming class, which stands to be the most ethnically and geographically diverse first-year class we have ever welcomed. And we are also ready to bring the Class of 2024 back to campus to fully experience all Temple has to offer. We can’t wait to see what each of you achieves.

More information to make the return to Temple’s campuses successful will be provided in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, please get your vaccine and upload your information to the patient health portal so we can safely be back together. 

We look forward to seeing you in the months ahead. Thank you for everything you do and continue to do for our university. We hope the remainder of the summer goes very well for you and your loved ones. 

Sincerely, 

Richard M. Englert 
President

JoAnne A. Epps
Executive Vice President and Provost