Welcome to the University of Minnesota Rochester!
Whether you’re arriving on campus to live and study, work or visit, you’ll notice many new safety features to assist in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Expectations and Guidelines
The safety of UMR’s students, staff and faculty remains the top priority as we navigate COVID-19. The UMR community has plans and processes in place to pivot if the pandemic and state or local public health guidelines require that we do so.
Important information and updates will be sent to your university email. It is vital that the UMR community checks their UMR email address regularly. Finally, rely on your support network, Student Success Coach, Disability Services and UMR’s mental health counselors who are all here to support you.
Student behavior is one of the most important keys to UMR’s success in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in a manner that limits transmission on campus. Do your part and get the vax today!
May 2022 Update to Face Mask Requirement
Face masks are no longer required in University of Minnesota Rochester buildings or venues.
We respect and honor the choices of all individuals who feel more comfortable wearing a mask, are immunocompromised, or who are taking additional steps to protect their families or others. As a matter of personal protection Individuals may continue to wear masks at any time, and in any location.
Extensive plans have been in place as we continue to #ProtectTheNest. These plans include consideration of how classes are taught and the precautions necessary to do so; dedicated isolation and quarantine space for those with housing contracts; instructions for on- and off-campus students, faculty and staff if they become sick or test positive for COVID-19; a comprehensive testing process that follows Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines; and many other public health and medically-recommended adjustments.
Please review the updated attendance policy:
- If you are a student with heightened risk factors for COVID-19 needing an accommodation, follow the steps below:
- Contact Disability Resources for an initial exploration conversation.
- Obtain a letter from Disability Resources and share this with the course instructor.
- If you are a student displaying symptoms, caring for someone else with COVID-19, or in isolation/quarantine and need to be absent from class, follow the steps below:
- Complete the COVID Care form.
- Email course instructor directly.
- Work with the course instructor to discuss accommodations for class participation, makeup work and more.
- If your absence is longer than two weeks, work with the Disability Resource Center for an accommodation.
- Call the OMC COVID-19 Nurse Triage Line (507-292-7266) in the event of Covid-19 exposure or symptoms. Students will need to identify themselves as UMR students.
- COVID-19 testing scheduled through OMC is conducted at the OMC Fastcare Clinic located at 102 Elton Hills, Suite #200 NW Rochester, 55901. Students who need transportation should ask for information when speaking to a nurse on the triage line.
- UMR will cover the cost for one Covid-19 test at OMC Fastcare Clinic Northwest. Testing at any other site cannot be covered by UMR. Students must first access the OMC Covid-19 Nurse Triage Line in order to register and access testing. Identify yourself as a UMR student.
- The OMC Skyway Clinic also provides COVID testing to students who are symptomatic.
If you are fully vaccinated
- Continue to attend classes and fully participate in all activities, including employment, or
- Stay home if you have symptoms. Get tested as soon as possible. Avoid others for at least 10 days since your symptoms appear or until you receive a negative test result.
- Without symptoms, get tested 3-5 days after the close contact or as soon as possible if you don’t know when you had close contact. Visit MTest to find out where you can get tested.
- Wear a mask indoors for 14 days following close contact or until your test result is negative.
If you are not fully vaccinated
- Get tested as soon as possible and 3-5 days after the exposure. Consider regular testing after that. Visit MTest to find out where you can get tested.
- Stay home regardless of symptoms. Avoid others for up to 14 days. To find the appropriate number of days for your circumstances, use this COVID-19 quarantine and isolation calculator.
Protect others in your household by wearing a mask, staying away from others, and taking other prevention steps.
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms or are concerned that you may have been exposed, complete a COVID Care form and call the OMC triage line at 507-292-7266 (or call your personal health care provider). The COVID Care Team is ready to support you upon submission of a completed form. The COVID Care Team can be reached via email at umrcovid@r.umn.edu.
Find guidance on handling and responding to student positive cases.
Yes, each classroom has a supply of masks, sanitizer and cleaning supplies for students and faculty to use as needed.
