May 11, 2023, marked the end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration.
IUP's COVID-19 response plan continues to follow guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pennsylvania Department of Health, American College Health Association, Pennsylvania Department of Education, and Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education.
The plan focuses on protecting our employees, students, and communities while providing our students with the best educational experience possible. It applies to all IUP facilities, including regional campuses and sites.
COVID-19 Guidelines for Isolation with a Roommate
Students who test positive for COVID-19 should attempt to isolate off campus or at home. However, there are times when the only option is for a student with COVID-19 to isolate in the same room as their healthy roommate. Use the IUP Isolation Guide for Roommates to determine the next steps you should take in this scenario.
Masks/Face Coverings
Masks/face coverings are not required in any IUP facility at any campus, center, or site.
Anyone who wishes to wear a face covering is encouraged to do so, and individuals in private offices and in private residence hall suites and rooms are permitted to ask that visitors wear masks when in these areas.
Masks are available at the entrance of IUP buildings and facilities.
IUP continues to follow CDC recommendations regarding masking and self-isolation, which is, regardless of vaccination status, that you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19. You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, you may have been infected with the virus. Follow CDC’s recommendations for what to do if you were exposed.
Student-athletes are to continue to follow the COVID-19 policy established by the NCAA and PSAC.
Students participating in off-site experiences should follow the guidelines of their host institution.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
IUP, along with all universities in the State System of Higher Education, does not require COVID-19 vaccinations for students or for employees.
All members of the IUP community are encouraged to consult with their physicians on personal health issues, including vaccinations and boosters.
IUP Health Service does not provide COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters but will arrange transportation for students seeking vaccinations or boosters to off-campus health providers.
Students should contact IUP Health Service at 724-357-2550 or online at health-inquiry@iup.edu to request this service.
COVID-19 Testing
Free testing at IUP Health Service is available to all IUP students, regardless of whether or not you feel sick.
If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you get tested immediately.
A COVID-19 PCR test is the most reliable testing method, but rapid antigen tests can also be used; IUP Health Service offers both of these testing options free of charge to students.
COVID-19 testing is available at the IUP Health Service, located in the Center for Health and Well-Being, Suites on Maple East, Indiana campus, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday while classes are in session for the fall and spring semesters.
Please call 724-357-2550 to make an appointment to get tested.
Rapid at-home COVID-19 tests are available at the self-care area of the Health Service waiting room (while supplies last).
Free COVID-19 testing is also available at a number of community sites.
If You Test Positive for COVID-19
If you test positive and you are having symptoms, isolate yourself and avoid close contact with others for five full days; the day your symptoms started is day 0 (zero).
You may end isolation after the fifth day if you are fever free and feeling better. It is recommended that you wear a mask around others for an additional five days.
If You Know You Have Been Exposed to COVID-19
If you have been exposed to COVID-19 but do not have any symptoms, wait five full days from the date of your exposure and get tested.
If you test positive, you may end isolation after five days from your positive test. If you test negative, CDC recommendations are that you wear a mask when in close contact with others for 10 days.
You can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after you have been exposed and spread the virus to others.
Employees should contact their primary care physician regarding testing needs and options. For questions, call IUP Health Service at 724-357-2550.
Seeking Medical Care in the Community
Outside of traditional business hours, or for emergency care, students should visit the Indiana Regional Medical Center’s emergency department or call 911 (9-911 if on campus).
There are blue emergency phones at both ends of the Center for Health and Well-Being on the corner of Pratt Drive and Maple Street. These phones automatically connect to University Police (no dialing required).
For non-emergency health needs:
MedExpress Urgent Care Center
2128 Oakland Avenue, Indiana
724-349-4362
Open daily 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Minute Clinic: The medical clinic in CVS Pharmacy
2501 Warren Road, Indiana
866-389-2727 (call for hours)
IRMC Primary Walk-In Clinic
Indiana Regional Hospital
875 Hospital Road, Indiana
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
888-452-4672
Campus Facilities Cleaning and Safety Precautions
Keeping IUP facilities as safe and clean as possible remains a priority for IUP.
IUP continues to follow industry and government best practices for equipment and processes, including the use of state-of-the-art equipment, fast-acting cleaning products, and ongoing training of those employees who are specifically focused on keeping the campus as healthy as possible.
Specifically, IUP is committed to:
- Continuous improvement of facility sanitation standards, including ongoing improvements in ventilation systems for improved indoor air quality.
- Enabling a touch-free environment for building amenities.
- On-going targeted training for employees.
Facility Sanitation Standards – Air Quality Measures
The university currently operates five different variations of UV lighting throughout campus to improve air quality through continuous sanitization. Air quality is further enhanced through installation of fresh HVAC filters and the use of HEPA filters in conjunction with UV lighting. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters can theoretically remove at least 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm).
IUP follows rigorous cleaning protocols and guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state for common and high-traffic areas, such as hallways, elevators, and restrooms, to keep buildings safe. Employees have been trained to use these processes.
Specific campus work includes:
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- Installation of 150 hallway combination UV lights with HEPA filters
- Installation of 50 targeted ventilation ductwork UV light assemblies (work is ongoing)
- Installation of 100 free-standing UV light assemblies
- Installation of 30 free-standing HEPA filter units
- Operation of IUP ventilation systems running at full capacity filtration in “occupied mode”
- Implementation of a “negative air” exam room at the IUP Health Center
- Where possible, percentage of outdoor air during moderate weather is increased
- All ventilation units set to national American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers standards (ASHRE) for maximum air flow
- Continuing preventative maintenance of equipment, including installation of all new ventilation unit air handler filters with appropriate Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) ratings, as specified by manufacturer.
State-of-the-art Sanitation Equipment
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- 71 handheld and 14 backpack electrostatic fogger units for efficient sanitization of indoor spaces
- Six Carnegie robotic programmable floor scrubbers with UV sanitization capability for consistent round-the-clock floor cleaning and sanitization
- Transition to newly sourced Centers for Disease Control-approved Ecolab antiviral cleaning products certified for 45-second effectiveness after application
- Implementation of updated cleaning procedures and staff training to prioritize sanitization of high-touch areas over standard cleaning procedures
Creating a Sanitary, Touch-Free Environment
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- 400 touchless hand sanitization stations in numerous locations in every building
- More than 75 touchless water fill stations in buildings throughout campus
- Disposable face mask dispensers installed in buildings throughout campus
- Installation of plexiglass barriers in high-traffic offices throughout campus
Central Stores has a supply of personal protective equipment and other COVID-19-related safety items.
Parking
Pay-by-space machines are cleaned at the beginning of each day’s shift by parking security officers as part of a daily maintenance check. The Passport Pay-by-Phone app has made no-contact payment available.
IndiGO Bus
IndiGO continues to operate the campus shuttle route according to Centers for Disease Control guidelines. All active students with an I-Card will continue to have free IndiGO bus service.
Guidance for IUP Employees
High-Risk Employees
Individual employees with health conditions that might place them at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, as defined under CDC guidance, may request a flexible work assignment. Employees wishing to make such a request should follow the process outlined on the Human Resources website.
COVID-19 Prevention Actions
The CDC provides a number of recommendations for prevention actions related to COVID-19.
Health and Safety
All of us are responsible for protecting the health and safety of the IUP community; the more you know about the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, how to prevent its spread, and where to seek health services, the safer we all can be.
We encourage everyone to obtain information from healthcare providers and organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the American College Health Association.
Communication Plan
IUP uses a digital-first strategy that provides all of our audiences a clear overview of information important to individual, campus, and community health and safety issues, including those related to COVID-19, including general guidelines to keep the community safe.
Overall methods of communicating include this website, the MyIUP student portal, electronic newsletters, IUP social media channels, email, videos, printed materials, and campus signage.
Student Communication Methods
Students receive regular information and updates through MyIUP, the IUP Mobile app, their IUP email address, electronic newsletters, and IUP social media accounts.
Parent Communication Methods
Information and updates will be available via the parent newsletter and this website.
Employee Communication Methods
Employees receive information through email and this website.
Community Collaboration
IUP and Indiana County leadership continue to collaborate to promote responsible behavior that protects the health and safety of the entire county and our home communities.
Contingency Communication Plan
If needed, emergency notifications will be sent through the Everbridge system, which includes text messages, phone calls, and emails. If you are not registered for these emergency notifications, you can do so online.
Emergency messages will also be shared on the IUP website (alert banner on the home page, updates to this site, news item), through MyIUP announcements for students, and on IUP social media channels.
If necessary, messages will be sent to additional audiences outside of the campus community, including alumni, friends, and prospective students.
This page will have the most recent and current information.
The IUP COVID-19 Committee
A core group of faculty and staff from specific university offices continue to monitor COVID-19 information making recommendations to the president for the 2023–24 academic year, with these guidelines in mind:
- Protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff members, and home communities.
- Providing a high-quality educational experience.
- Being flexible and ready to act as new information becomes known.
- Communicating new information and decisions as broadly and as quickly as possible (including on this website).
If you have questions or concerns about IUP's response to COVID-19, please contact a committee cochair: Paula Stossel, pstoss@iup.edu, or Scott Moore, rsmoore@iup.edu.