Dear Campus Community,

The CDC has recently updated their guidance related to Quarantine and Isolation periods. We are adjusting our Fortify Franklin policies accordingly, as indicated below, and as approved by our local health care partners. These updates are effective immediately, and subject to change based on additional guidance from our local health care partners.

As always, if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Nurse Katy, Associate Dean Kat Dennehy, or me.

I hope Immersive Term is off to a great start!

Best wishes,

Dean Jones

• We will adopt the reduced 5 day isolation period for all students testing positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status):

o    Student will isolate at home for 5 days.

o    If you have no symptoms after 5 days, you may return to campus and continue to wear a mask at all times for 5 additional days.

o    If there are circumstances that prevent you from rigorous masking for 5 additional days (for example: you share a room in approved campus housing, you’re competing on an athletic team, you’re traveling for a college-sponsored event), you may be required to continue to isolate or be limited from certain activities. Students will consult with Nurse Katy to determine an appropriate return to campus date based on their unique circumstances. Nurse Katy may be reached via the link above or at 317-738-8090.

• We will adopt the reduced 5-day quarantine period for unvaccinated students who were exposed to someone with COVID-19:

o    Student will quarantine at home for 5 days.

o    If you have no symptoms after 5 days, you may provide a negative test (beginning Day 5) to return to campus Day 6 or beyond. Students must consult with Nurse Katy to determine an appropriate return to campus date based on their unique circumstances. Nurse Katy may be reached via the link above or at 317-738-8090. Students returning to campus prior to Day 10 will continue to mask at all times through Day 10.

o    Any cost associated with testing will continue to be the responsibility of the student and tests must come from an approved testing site (no at-home tests will be accepted).

• We will follow the following protocol for fully vaccinated students who were exposed to someone with COVID-19 (with or without booster):

o    You will be tested at the time we become aware of your exposure.

If you test positive, you will follow the Isolation protocol above.

If you test negative, you will mask as much as possible for 48 hours, at which point you will be tested again. If your second test is negative, no additional testing or masking (beyond what is required for all students) will be required. If your second test is positive, you will follow the Isolation protocol above.

o    There will be no cost for testing of vaccinated students.

Dr. Andrew B. Jones 
Vice President for Student Development & Dean of Students