COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

The University maintains an indoor mask optional policy.

Use of masks is supported and encouraged for everyone that chooses to wear one. This may be particularly important for individuals that are not up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and individuals at higher risk of severe infection due to a medical condition.

It is important to support and respect the choice of a person that chooses to wear a mask and important to do the same for a person that chooses not to wear a mask.  This is a “mask friendly” approach.

Masks are required for clinical care locations such as Student Health.  Clinical care locations and/or services will be clearly marked by signage.  Compliance is required in these locations marked with University signage by anyone 2 years of age or older in order to access the area or service.

No, the indoor mask optional policy does not apply to all Radford University locations. Radford University Carilion, Roanoke Higher Education Center, and the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center (Abingdon) follow guidance provided by the agencies where the site is located.

All campus visitors are expected to follow the University's COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Yes, the University has implemented an indoor mask optional policy.

Use of masks is supported and encouraged for everyone that chooses to wear one. This may be particularly important for individuals that are not up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and individuals at higher risk of severe infection due to a medical condition.

It is important to support and respect the choice of a person that chooses to wear a mask and important to do the same for a person that chooses not to wear a mask.  This is a “mask friendly” approach.

Masks are required for clinical care locations such as Student Health.  Clinical care locations and/or services will be clearly marked by signage.  Compliance is required in these locations marked with University signage by anyone 2 years of age or older in order to access the area or service.

The University continues to have masks available, including KN95 masks. Masks are available at the following locations:

• Bonnie Information Desk
• McConnell Library Information Desk
• Parking Services – Heth Hall 
• RUC in the 3^rd floor Administration Suite

Should a student have questions related to accessing a face mask, they should contact the Dean of Students Office and one can be provided.

Should an employee have additional needs related to face masks, they can complete the COVID-19 request form located on the Facilities Management website.

COVID 19-vaccines are effective. They can keep you from getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Learn more about the different COVID-19 vaccines from the CDC.

Information about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters is also available from the VDH.

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do contract COVID-19.

By getting vaccinated and remaining up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations you help protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Students are not required to be vaccinated or disclose their vaccination status as a condition for enrollment or in-person attendance.  

Employees are not required to be vaccinated or disclose their vaccination status consistent with Governor Youngkin’s Executive Directive Number Two: Ensuring Privacy Protections and Individual Rights of Executive Branch Employees that was effective January 15, 2022.

If you lose your vaccine card or need an additional verification of your immunization, you may request a copy of your COVID-19 vaccine record from VDH by:

• Visiting https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/ and clicking the link to request your vaccine record or emailing vaccinerecord@vdh.virginia.gov or,
• The Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS) will email you a copy of your vaccine record. They can usually respond quickly to requests. If you have questions, please call VIIS at 1-866-375-9795.

A person 6 months and older is considered fully vaccinated after receiving a primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Up-to-date is when someone has received the primary COVID-19 vaccine series is eligible and has received all COVID-19 booster or other primary doses as recommended by a healthcare provider.

The CDC encourages everyone 5 years of age or older to receive a booster shot after receiving the primary vaccine series, if eligible. The Find Out When you Can Get a Booster tool is available to help you determine eligibility.

Radford University remains focused on the health, safety and well-being of our Highlander Family.  As such, to continue providing the best in-person experience on campus, having high vaccination rates across students and employees is an important step to ensure the health of our community.  Vaccinations, along with other preventative measures in place, will give us the best opportunity to continue moving into this endemic phase of the global pandemic.

Yes. The CDC and VDH recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals that have recovered from COVID-19.  

Individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19 should follow CDC, VDH and/or healthcare provider guidance regarding timing to receive the vaccine.

Radford University continues to partner with the New River Health District of the Virginia Department of Health and Student Health Services to make vaccines available and convenient to members of our community. Vaccines and boosters are able to be located through the VDH.

Students on main campus seeking a primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or booster should contact the Student Health Services at 540-831-5111.

RUC students interested in a primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccine or booster should contact the Nurse Navigator at 540-795-3273 to get guidance.

Employees can locate a free COVID-19 vaccine or booster through the VDH or their healthcare provider.

No, a faculty member should not ask a student to disclose their vaccination status. The University has a centralized process to receive the COVID-19 vaccination status of students that choose to disclose. A student is not required to disclose their vaccination status outside of this centralized process to attend class, events or participate in campus activities.

A student in a field or clinical placement may be required to disclose their vaccination status related to the external placement.

A symptomatic student on main campus should contact Student Health Services at 540-831-5111 to schedule an appointment to see a healthcare provider and/or receive a COVID-19 test.

A symptomatic student at RUC should contact the Nurse Navigator at 540-795-3273 for assistance with an appointment to see a health care provider and/or receive a COVID-19 test.

Faculty, staff and contractors can locate a free COVID-19 test by using the VDH website. The VDH website offers testing site locations and support on obtaining at-home tests.  If an employee is not able to secure COVID-19 testing, Human Resources can be contacted for additional guidance.

Students on main campus that are sick or symptomatic should contact Student Health Services at 540-831-5111 for testing options and/or an appointment with a healthcare provider. 

Students at RUC that are sick or symptomatic should contact the Nurse Navigator at 540-795-3273 for testing options and/or assistance with an appointment with a healthcare provider. 

Employees that are sick or symptomatic should contact their primary health physician for testing options.

There is no charge to the individual for receiving a COVID-19 test on-campus.  

No, following COVID-19 testing, individuals should continue to wear a face mask and maintain good distance until a negative test result is received unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider.

If you receive a positive test result, you must isolate.  You can be around others after:

• 5 full days since symptoms first appeared (or positive test if asymptomatic) and
• 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*
  *Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation​

The period of isolation should be followed by strictly wearing a well-fitted mask for five (5) full days. The VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator can assist in determining the exact period of time for isolation.

The Dean of Students Office (dos-web@radford.edu or 540-831-6297) will provide students guidance related to the period of isolation, including an absence notification when appropriate.

Employees should follow the five (day) period of isolation followed by strictly wearing a well-fitted face mask for five (5) days. The VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator can assist in determining the exact period of time for isolation.

“Quarantine” is the period of time a person stays home, distances from others and monitors their symptoms when they may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. 

“Isolation” is the period of time when a person infected with the COVID-19 virus separates from others who are not infected.

The VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator can assist in determining if a period of quarantine is appropriate. Guidance is dependent upon a person’s vaccination status.

People who are up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations or had confirmed COVID-19 within the last six (6) months DO NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms.  A person should monitor health for symptom development for ten (10) days. If symptoms develop begin isolation immediately.

Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, if you are not up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations.  The VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator  can provide guidance.

You isolate when you have been infected with the COVID-19 virus, regardless of vaccination status, even if you don’t have symptoms.  Isolation is a full five (5) days from the onset of symptoms or date of positive test if asymptomatic. Normal daily activities and routines can be resumed on day six (6) provided you have been fever free for 24 hours without the assistance of medication and any symptoms are resolving (improved significantly), otherwise isolation should continue.

The period of isolation should be followed by strictly wearing a well-fitted mask for five (5) days.

The VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator can assist in determining the exact period of time for isolation.

NOTE: The University no longer provides isolation/quarantine housing for students living in residence halls.  Students are encouraged to talk with families and roommates to develop a plan should either or both roommates develop a confirmed case of COVID-19. Support for students required to quarantine or isolate is coordinated through The Office of the Dean of Students is able to provide guidance and assist students in navigating isolation and/or quarantine including an absence notification.  Specific questions should be directed to dos-web@radford.edu or 540-831-6297.

Employees should follow the five (day) period of isolation followed by strictly wearing a well-fitted face mask for five (5) days. The VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator can assist in determining the exact period of time for isolation.

Employee opportunities for Public Health Emergency Leave during a period of isolation following a positive COVID-19 test are no longer available.  An employee that does not have sufficient leave to cover a period of isolation should contact Human Resources at 540-831-5008 or hr@radford.edu

Each person has unique circumstances that must be considered to provide exact guidance. The VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator can assist in determining if a period of quarantine is appropriate.  Students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students to discuss their circumstances. Employees should contact their care provider or VDH for guidance and notify their supervisor and Human Resources as appropriate.

In general, a person who is up-to-day with COVID-19 vaccinations or was confirmed to have COVID-19 within the last six (6) months does not need to quarantine following a close contact/exposure to a COVID-19 positive person.  Monitor health for symptoms for ten (10) days.  If symptoms develop begin isolation.

In general, if a person NOT up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and has not had COVID-19 within the last six (6) months is exposed or is a close contact to an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19, the person should quarantine for a period of no less than five (5) full days and monitor health for symptoms for a full ten (10) days.  The close contact or exposed person should receive a COVID-19 test day 5 or later following the last exposure.  A negative COVID-19 test does not shorten the period of quarantine.  If the close contact or exposed person has not developed symptoms they would be able to resume daily activities on day six (6). 

If symptoms develop, the exposed person must begin isolation. The VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator  can provide guidance.

The close contact or exposed person should wear a well-fitted mask when around others for a full ten (10) days.

Employees should utilize the VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator  for guidance.

The University no longer provides isolation/quarantine housing for students living in residence halls.  Students are encouraged to talk with families and roommates to develop a plan should either or both roommates develop a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Support for students required to quarantine or isolate is coordinated through The Office of the Dean of Students is able to provide guidance and assist students in navigating isolation and/or quarantine including an absence notification.  Specific questions should be directed to dos-web@radford.edu or 540-831-6297.

Isolation is a minimum of a full five (5) days.   

Quarantine is a period of five (5) full days.    

• The period of isolation or quarantine is five (5) days followed by strictly wearing a well-fitted mask for five (5) to ten (10) days depending upon circumstances when appropriate.
• The VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator can assist in determining appropriate approach.
• The Office of the Dean of Students can provide students guidance regarding periods of isolation and/or quarantine, absence notifications and appropriate support.
• Employees should follow the VDH Isolation and Quarantine Calculator for periods of isolation and quarantine.

Yes, events or activities are allowed to take place. The health, safety and well-being of participants and organizers should always be a priority when planning regardless of the nature of organizers and participants should be a priority when planning any event, program or activity. If there are any questions or concerns regarding an event or activity on campus, the host should email the covid19@radford.edu email account for further review and information.

Students and student organizations should contact Student Involvement on main campus for general event planning guidance. Students and student organizations at RUC should contact Student Affairs (Roanoke based).

Students and student organizations seeking guidance related to event planning in general should contact Student Involvement, second floor of the Bonnie.

Students should contact the Dean of Students Office (dos-web@radford.edu or 540-831-6297)

Employees should contact Human Resources (hr@radford.edu or 540-831-5008)

Questions can also be directed to covid19@radford.edu

The VDH outlines situations when a person should wear a face masks on the Protect Your Health – Masks webpage.

The CDC offers consistent information on the How to Protect Yourself and Others webpage.

Yes, the clear shields on the podiums in classrooms will remain in place for the Fall 2022 semester.