Frequently Asked Questions

In addition to the requirement to be fully vaccinated, the University requires boosters no later than February 28, 2022, for all students, faculty and staff who are eligible for the booster (as determined by the CDC).

See the communications sent on Jan. 14 and Jan. 20 for more details.

According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. 

The University of Scranton has added the requirement for boosters no later than February 28, 2022, for all students, faculty and staff who are eligible for the booster (as determined by the CDC). Those who are not eligible by February 25 should receive their booster as soon as they are eligible but no later than two weeks after reaching six months since full vaccination.

Students will upload their COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Record Card from the CDC to their secure Student Health Portal.

Employees will attest to their vaccination and booster status through The Office of Human Resources. 

• Students, faculty and staff who were previously approved for a COVID-19 vaccine exemption are not required to get a booster but must continue to follow all required protocols, including weekly testing, masking and social distancing.
  
  • Students may request a booster waiver in accordance with Pennsylvania law.  If you have questions about the vaccine requirements, you may contact Student Health Services at vaccines@scranton.edu.
• Employees can request an exemption from the booster requirement, in accordance with applicable law, by contacting Elizabeth Garcia, Esq., Special Assistant to the President, Executive Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, and Title IX Coordinator at elizabeth.garcia2@scranton.edu.

Here is the information regarding the Spring 2022 semester.

See the latest updates to the University's mask policy, effective March 26, 2022.

See the latest updates to our mask policy, effective March 26, 2022.

All undergraduate and graduate students who will access campus, regardless of vaccination status, are required to get a PCR test no earlier than Thursday, January 20, with results uploaded to the Student Health Portal no later than noon on Tuesday, January 25.  Students should schedule their tests as soon as possible. The University is exploring a campus-based testing option that would be available on a first-come, first served basis for a limited number of people. Additional information will be shared as soon as it is available. Early arrival requests for residential students will not be granted.

Students Who Previously Tested Positive 

• Students Testing Positive Over the Past 90 Days: Students who have a confirmed positive test result over the past 90 days (i.e. since October 27) that was previously reported to the University do not need to re-test. If you have not yet reported a positive test, then you can do so through the Student Health Portal.
• Student Testing Positive through At-Home Test:  Students testing positive using an at-home test can request a reporting form from Student Health Services by emailing vaccines@scranton.edu

Updated Guidelines for Isolation and Quarantine for Students

Note: According to the CDC: “The date of your exposure is considered day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after your last contact with a person who has had COVID-19. Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days.”

Isolation Protocols for Students
All students who test positive will be required to isolate at home, regardless of vaccination status.

• No Symptoms – Isolate for 5 days from the date of the positive test. 
  • You can return to campus if:
    • You do not develop symptoms.
    • Note: You may also be required to test negative on an antigen test if directed by your contract tracer.
• Symptomatic – Isolate for 5 days from your first symptoms. 
  • You can return to campus if:
    • You test negative with an antigen test (rapid at-home test is acceptable);
    • You are fever-free for at least 24 hours; 
    • AND Your symptoms have improved. 
  • NOTE: If you test positive on the antigen test or if you are unable to test on day 5 or later, then you must isolate for a full 10-days. 

Quarantine Protocols for Students
All students who are considered a close contact to a known positive case will be required to follow one of the following protocols, depending on vaccination status and presence of symptoms: 

• Up-to-Date Vaccinated Students (Fully vaccinated WITH booster shot if eligible):
  • No Symptoms – No quarantine is necessary, but you MUST do the following:
    • Get a PCR test 3-5 days after the last close contact through Student Health Services;
    • AND Wear a mask and social distance until you get a negative test.  
  • Symptomatic  – Immediately get tested through Student Health Services and isolate in place until you receive a negative result. If you test negative then do the following: 
    • Get a PCR test at Student health Services 3-5 days after the last close contact;
    • AND Wear a mask and social distance until you get a second negative test and are fever-free for 24 hours.
• NOT Up-to-date Students (Unvaccinated, not fully vaccinated, or eligible but not boosted):
  • No Symptoms – Quarantine at home for up to 10 days or until the following: 
    • You remain symptom free after 7 days, and you get a negative PCR test result between day 5-7.
    • NOTE:  If you are unable to test, then you must complete 10 days of quarantine and remain symptom free.
  • Symptomatic – Test immediately through Student Health Services, and quarantine at home for 10 days with following conditions: 
    • If your initial PCR test is negative, then you must test negative on a second PCR test on day 7-10 before returning.  
  • If your initial PCR test is positive, then you must complete a full 10-day isolation and be fever-free for 24 hours before returning.
• Students Who Have Tested Positive Within 90 days of Exposure to a Known Positive Case

  • No Symptoms – No quarantine is necessary, but you MUST do the following: 

    • Monitor for any symptom development for 10 days from exposure; 
    • AND Report to Student Health Services if you develop symptoms.

Updated Guidelines for Isolation and Quarantine for Employees

Note: According to the CDC: “The date of your exposure is considered day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after your last contact with a person who has had COVID-19. Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days.”

Isolation Protocols for Employees
All employees who test positive or who are symptomatic and awaiting test results will be required to isolate at home, regardless of vaccination status.

• No Symptoms – Isolate for 5 full days from the date of the test. 
  • You can return to campus if:
    • You do not develop symptoms,
    • AND You test negative with a rapid antigen test on day 5.
• Symptomatic – Isolate for 5 full days from your first symptoms. 
  • You can return to campus if:
    • You test negative with a rapid antigen test;
    • You are fever-free for at least 24 hours;
    • AND Your symptoms have improved. 
  • NOTE: If you test positive on the antigen test or if you are unable to test on day 5 or later, then you must isolate for a full 10-days.

Quarantine Protocols for Employees

All employees who are considered a close contact to a known positive case must contact the Office of Human Resources and will be required to follow one of the following protocols, depending on vaccination status and presence of symptoms:

• Up-to-Date Vaccinated Employees (Fully vaccinated WITH booster shot if eligible):
  • No Symptoms – No quarantine is necessary, but you MUST notify the Office of Human Resources and do the following:
    • Monitor for symptoms;
    • Get a PCR test 5 days after the last close contact;
    • AND Wear a mask and social distance for 10 days or until you get a negative test.
  • Symptomatic - transition to the isolation protocol.
• NOT Up-to-Date with Booster, Not Fully Vaccinated, or Unvaccinated Employees:
  • No Symptoms – Quarantine at home for at least 5 days and monitor for symptoms.
    • You can return to campus if:
      • You schedule a PCR test at least 5 days after the last known exposure and test negative; 
      • AND Wear a mask and social distance for 10 days.
  • Symptomatic – transition to isolation protocol.
• Employees Who Have Tested Positive Within the Past 90 Days and Are Now Exposed to a Known Positive Case
  • No Symptoms – No quarantine is necessary, but you MUST do the following: 
    • Monitor for any symptom development for 10 days from exposure; 
    • AND Wear a mask and social distance for 10 days.
  • Symptomatic - transition to the isolation protocol.

Students and employees who experience COVID-19 symptoms and / or test positive:

• Students must contact Student Health Services at 570-941-7667 or
• Employees must contact Human Resources at 570-941-7767.
• Individuals should isolate themselves from others as directed by the contact tracer.

Students who are required to quarantine or isolate must do so off-campus. The University will temporarily accommodate residential students who need to isolate / quarantine as they solidify their off-campus isolation / quarantine plan.

Employees should isolate or quarantine in their private residence.

Yes, Student Life (students) and Human Resources (employees) will undertake contact tracing as needed.

High-touch areas of classrooms and laboratories are cleaned at an increased frequency, and hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes are available should students or faculty wish to wipe down desks or tables before or after use.

Maintenance and cleaning procedures for offices will mostly return to normal, pre-COVID daily cleaning procedures. High-touch areas will continue to be wiped down regularly. Sanitizing wipes will remain available for department offices for those who wish to use them.

Departments should monitor their use of PPE, and request additional supplies 7-10 days before running out, by completing this Purchasing Department order form and emailing it to mark.cruciani@scranton.edu.

The Fitness Center has returned to normal operating procedures. Reservations are no longer required.

See the Fitness Center's Hours of Operation

Current campus mask requirements are posted under "Mask Status" on the home page of this website and will be updated as needed.

In-person student internships are permitted on- and off-campus. Students must follow pandemic safety protocols as required by their internship host site.

The campus remains closed to the general public, except for invited guests and spectators at athletic events. Effective March 26, masks are now optional in all campus buildings, with certain exceptions. See the latest updates to our mask policy.

Proof of vaccination is no longer required for visitors to attend athletic events. 

University Meetings and Events 

Meetings and events can include dining options. Masks are optional for individuals attending, unless required by the individual or department organizing the meeting or event.

Yes, campus tours and Admissions events are being held on campus.

Yes, weekly updates will resume on Mondays, beginning Jan. 31. The frequency of updates will be adjusted as needed throughout the semester.

Families in need of assistance should contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@scranton.edu or (570) 941-7701.

• The Financial Aid staff will review and verify updated information to determine if any increases can be made to need-based federal, state and University of Scranton financial aid programs.
• If you have not already done so, families should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov.
• The University will offer financial counseling to families requesting special assistance to meet their financial educational expenses.
• Staff from the offices of Financial Aid and the Bursar will work with students and their families on the development of financing plans, which will include a combination of federal student and parent loans and may allow for the development of special payment plans outside of the University’s normal payment policy.

Information about University travel can be found on our travel guidelines page.

Study abroad travel must follow the restrictions as outlined in the University’s travel procedures in addition to the COVID-specific guidelines.