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Before Your Event: Safety & Social Responsibility

Safety and Social Responsibility Policy

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Adtalem Global Education and Walden University want to assure you of their continued commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy educational environment. This policy is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other local administrative or governmental agencies and ministries, and is designed to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. 

Vaccination and Testing Requirements

Consistent with the CDC and WHO’s guidance, to prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, Walden University Academic Residencies strongly recommends that all students attending face-to-face academic residency events on or after January 31, 2022 be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or agree to undergo COVID-19 testing, in accordance with Walden University’s policies and procedures, in order to attend face-to-face residency events. 

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after having all doses of a vaccine (2 doses for Pfizer, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna; 1 dose for Johnson & Johnson). 

Students who test positive during an event or within 7 days of an event culmination must comply with local and state contact tracing guidelines as outlined by local health authorities. 

Government Mandates

In the event of a conflict between applicable federal, state, or local mandates and the text of this policy, the applicable federal, state, or local mandates control.

Policy Modification

Government and public health guidelines, restrictions, and best practices regarding COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines are changing rapidly as new information becomes available and further research is conducted. Adtalem and Walden University reserve the right to modify this policy at any time in their sole discretion to adapt to changing circumstances and safety concerns, consistent with its commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy educational environment. 

Masks Policy

Consistent with the CDC and WHO’s guidance, to prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, Walden University Academic Residencies office encourages that all students attending face-to-face academic residency/lab/intensive events wear a face mask throughout the event (except while eating, drinking, or taking oral medications for brief periods), in the Walden event space, i.e., small group meeting space with peers and faculty and in offices with Walden staff.

Permitted Masks

  • Disposable surgical or medical masks 

  • Cloth masks with tightly woven fabric (2 or 3 ply masks are recommended) 

  • Valve-free respirator masks (N95 or KN95) 

  • Fabric masks with a clear plastic window 

  • Gaiters with two layers (single layer gaiters should be doubled over) 

  • Plastic face shields or goggles may be worn in addition to a mask but are not approved mask replacements 

Masks Not Permitted

  • Any mask with an exhaust valve 

  • Masks with slits, punctures, or holes 

  • Bandanas, scarves, ski masks, and balaclavas 

  • Novel and battery-operated masks that do not meet the specifications of the permitted masks listed above

Policy Compliance 

All students participating in face-to-face academic residency/lab/intensive events must comply with all applicable federal, state, local laws, hotel / event venue policies and the Walden University Academic Residencies event requirements.

Social Distancing Policy

Consistent with the CDC and WHO’s guidance, to prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, Walden University 

Academic Residencies encourages that all students attending face-to-face academic residency/lab/intensive events participate in social distancing (6 feet apart) in small group meeting space with peers and faculty and in offices with Walden staff throughout the event.

Policy Compliance 

All students participating in face-to-face academic residency events must comply with all applicable federal, state, local laws, hotel / event venue policies and the Walden University Academic Residencies event requirements. 

Hand Sanitizing Policy

Consistent with the CDC and WHO’s guidance, to prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, Walden University Academic Residencies encourages that all students hand sanitize when accessing common areas i.e., break areas, small group meeting space, and when utilizing shared material e.g., test kits or audio-visual equipment while attending face-to-face academic residency events.

Policy Compliance 

All students participating in face-to-face academic residency events must comply with all applicable federal, state, local laws, hotel / event venue policies and the Walden University Academic Residencies event requirements.

Safety and Social Responsibility Acknowledgments

As a part of Walden’s commitment to Safety and Social Responsibility, Academic Residencies is focused on creating a safe academic experience for everyone. To protect the safety of all attendees, we are requiring all face-to-face event attendees to acknowledge the following to help us to create a safe experience for everyone. Despite our commitment to safety and your own efforts to comply with the event requirements, we will be in a public environment where similar safeguards are not required. 

Vaccination and Testing 

I understand the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Policy, Masks Policy, Social Distancing Policy requirements to attend the event. 

Venue 

I understand that I must comply with the venue’s COVID requirements. 

Masks 

I understand that in addition to the venue’s requirements, Walden encourages wearing of face masks throughout the event (except while eating, drinking, or taking oral medications for brief periods), in the Walden event space, i.e., small group meeting space with peers and faculty and in offices with Walden staff. 

Social Distancing 

I understand that Walden encourages social distancing (6 feet apart) in small group meeting space with peers and faculty and in offices with Walden staff.  

Hand Sanitizing 

I understand that I must regularly sanitize my hands throughout the event. 

Name Badge 

I understand that I must wear the Walden University-provided name badge during the event.  

Attendance / Participation / Cancellation 

I understand that if I have any primary symptoms of COVID-19 during the event, I will not be able to participate in the event.  

I understand that if I am not able to attend for any reason, I am responsible for all travel-related costs, including any cancellation and change fees. I am subject to the Cancelling for an Emergency / Petitions policy.

I understand that event cancellations due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness) require a university petition - Canceling Due to an Emergency / Petitions. 

I understand that cancellation and/or withdrawal from the event (and any subsequent residency connected course), may result in a reduction in enrolled hours and/or delays in academic progress and I am responsible for all travel-related costs, including any cancellation and change fees. Please note that a reduction in enrolled hours may affect financial aid eligibility and/or awards. 

Risks of COVID 

I understand that Walden University cannot prevent me from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while participating in academic residencies/labs/intensives. 

I understand that if I have any COVID-19 symptoms, I will not be admitted to the event space and I will be required to quarantine/isolate in my guest room until check out and/or visit a local clinic or hospital, etc. Should I be sharing a guest room with someone, I recognize that I will need to alert the Academic Residencies office at AcademicResidencies@mail.waldenu.edu as soon as possible and secure, at my own expense, a guest room to quarantine/isolate. 

I understand that should I test positive during the event or within 7 days of the event conclusion, I must comply with local and state contact tracing guidelines as outlined by local health authorities.