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COVID-19 Updates
Information and resources for the CMU community
COVID-19 Updates
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News & Communications
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Communications Archive
› 2021
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Booster Requirement, Travel Recommendations, Arrival Testing & Spring Plans
Looking toward the start of a new semester in 2022, we are sharing a preliminary outline of what to expect regarding our ongoing COVID mitigation efforts. We stress that this guidance is subject to change as we track the progress of the pandemic and in particular the impact of the Omicron variant.
Thursday, December 02, 2021
Schedule Your COVID-19 Vaccine Booster at Expanded On-Campus Clinics
I am pleased to announce that Carnegie Mellon University and Giant Eagle are partnering to host two COVID-19 vaccine booster clinics on December 13 and 14 in Rangos Ballroom in the Cohon University Center. All booster-eligible CMU community members (students, faculty, staff and vendors) are encouraged to participate free of charge. To schedule your appointment for a Pfizer, Moderna or J&J booster, please visit this link.
Monday, November 08, 2021
Updated Facial Covering and Travel Guidance
I am pleased to share that our CMU community has achieved a 99% COVID-19 vaccination rate among students and faculty, and 95% among staff. As we enter the latter half of the fall semester, I have two important updates.
Friday, October 22, 2021
Travel Guidance and Booster Shots on Campus
As the CMU community starts to make plans for holiday travel, the CDC offers considerations to help protect individuals, their families, friends and communities. Per this guidance, we continue to encourage all of our community members to wear facial coverings and avoid large events or crowded spaces as ways to limit exposure risks. Students, faculty and staff should also follow the university’s travel recommendations, including asymptomatic COVID-19 testing through Tartan Testing before and after travel as well as symptom monitoring. We strongly encourage all community members to remain vigilant as you plan your in-person return to learning, teaching and research following the Thanksgiving holiday.
Friday, October 01, 2021
Updating Capacity Limits for In-Person Meetings and Gatherings
As we begin the second month of the academic year, I want to thank you for your diligence and resilience following CMU’s protocols and mitigating the risks presented by COVID-19. It’s been invigorating to see our campus filled with energy and it’s heartening to see the renewed activity around us. As noted in our public dashboard, our community is now 95% vaccinated, CMU cases have been declining over the past three weeks, and our asymptomatic testing continues to indicate a low virus prevalence.
Wednesday, September 01, 2021
Welcome Back to Campus; Fall Mitigation Reminders
I write today to extend my warm welcome as we start a new academic year. While we are still managing the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, we begin this year in a far better place than last year given the broader mitigation tools available to us, particularly vaccines and our Tartan Testing program. It is gratifying to see our campus bustling once again with such energy and vitality.
Friday, August 20, 2021
Requiring Vaccinations for Faculty and Staff
With the start of classes a little more than a week away, and alongside concern about the delta variant, I write to inform you that Carnegie Mellon University will require all faculty and staff working in Pennsylvania, California, Washington D.C., New York, and Virginia to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Please Upload Your Vaccination Card Into the Database Today
We write today regarding the CMU vaccine database, which is a critical tool in our planning for resuming in-person activities on campus this fall semester.
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Updates to “A Tartan’s Responsibility”
As we finalize preparations for a return to in-person education, we have updated A Tartan's Responsibility, which we expect all students to read as fully-informed and responsible members of our university community.
Monday, August 02, 2021
Temporary Reinstatement of Facial Covering Requirement
Out of an abundance of caution we will be reinstating the requirement for everyone to wear facial coverings starting Sunday, August 15th. This decision was informed by the recently updated CDC guidelines and we anticipate this to be a temporary measure as we plan a safe return to campus. As always, vaccinated individuals who wish to wear a mask before August 15 are welcome to do so.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Reminders for Returning to Campus — Including Vaccine Database Deadline
As our return to campus rapidly approaches, we remind you to upload documentation of your COVID-19 vaccination to our Vaccine Database no later than August 2nd. For instructions on how to enter your COVID-19 Vaccine Information in HealthConnect, visit the COVID-19 vaccine database webpage.
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Launching Vaccine Database for Faculty and Staff (Return to Campus this Fall)
After nearly 16 months since our initial move to remote learning, we are heartened to be preparing for in-person experiences and the start of the new academic year. Last week, we launched the CMU Vaccine Database with students. Today, we initiate the CMU Vaccine Database with faculty and staff.
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Vaccine Database Launch, Arrival Posture, Campus Life
I write today to announce the launch of CMU’s COVID-19 Vaccine Database and to provide information about arrival protocols as we begin the fall semester. Vaccine Database: All enrolled students must participate to comply with CMU’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Easing of COVID-19 Mitigation Protocols
I write today with updates to the news last week announcing the easing of COVID-19 mitigation protocols on campus for those who have been fully vaccinated. As we approach the summer, with high vaccination adoption rates and continued low COVID-19 case numbers within the region, we are amending our campus posture, updating the minimum requirements and restarting domestic business travel.
Monday, June 07, 2021
New Guidance for Those Fully Vaccinated
As we begin the summer term, I am pleased to announce the easing of certain COVID-19 mitigation protocols on campus for those who have been fully vaccinated. We have decided to ease these restrictions based on the tremendous response rate to our vaccine survey and the very high percentage of respondents who indicated they have been vaccinated. We are also encouraged by the high rate of vaccine adoption in Allegheny County as well as the decreasing spread of the virus in our community.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Action Required: COVID-19 Vaccine Data Collection
As we move into the summer, the university is evaluating its current mitigation protocols, including whether some of them may be relaxed in the weeks ahead in anticipation of the fall semester. We write today to request your assistance with informing our decision-making by participating in our COVID-19 Vaccine Data Collection effort. Your participation will enable us to better understand the level of vaccination within our campus community, and this knowledge is critical to our planning.
Monday, May 17, 2021
CMU-dedicated COVID-19 Vaccination Opportunities Tomorrow (5/18) and Friday (5/21)
As we approach the hope and optimism of robust in-person experiences in the fall, I encourage any students still in Pittsburgh who have not yet been vaccinated to take advantage of timely and convenient opportunities to receive a vaccine on campus this week.
Friday, May 14, 2021
Recent CDC Guidance Regarding Facial Coverings
I write to you today about the guidance released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxing requirements for the use of facial coverings and physical distancing by individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Additional COVID-19 Vaccines Offered On Campus
We write today to announce additional opportunities to receive the Moderna vaccine through CMU’s University Health Services (UHS). UHS will distribute first doses of the vaccine in Rangos Ballroom on May 14 and May 18. These opportunities are open to all CMU students, faculty, staff, affiliates and vendors.
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Vaccine Requirements for the Fall Semester
Consistent with scientific evidence on the importance of vaccine adoption to control spread of the virus, to the extent permissible by law, Carnegie Mellon University will require all enrolled students to be vaccinated for COVID-19, effective this fall semester. This policy will apply to all undergraduate and graduate students in U.S.-based programs.
Tuesday, May 04, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccines Offered on Campus This Friday, May 7th
We write to you today to share the good news that CMU’s University Health Services (UHS) has received a supply of the COVID-19 vaccination. We will distribute 200 doses of the Moderna vaccine on a first-come, first-served basis, in Rangos Ballroom, on Friday, May 7, from 1-4:30 p.m. This opportunity is open to all CMU students, faculty, staff, affiliates and vendors.
Monday, May 03, 2021
Rising COVID Cases Put CMU’s In-Person Experiences at Risk
We write to you today with concern about a significant increase in positive cases of COVID-19 among CMU students. The CMU community had relatively few cases during the semester, and while the number of cases across the country are generally trending down, there has been a sharp uptick in the number of cases on our campus over the past two weeks.
Friday, April 30, 2021
The Next Phase of Pandemic Planning
I wrote to you back in late February communicating our expectation that CMU employees who have been working partially or completely remotely would continue in that mode through at least June 30, 2021. I write today with high-level updates about Carnegie Mellon’s plans for the next phase in our return to in-person operations. As always, flexibility and adherence to public health recommendations continue to be the guideposts for our planning.
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Opportunity On Campus This Friday
We are pleased to update you about a new opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Our partners at the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) will hold a vaccine clinic in Wiegand Gymnasium on Friday, April 30, open to all CMU community members.
Monday, April 19, 2021
Last Chance to Schedule a Vaccine Appointment Through the Giant Eagle/CMU Partnership
Last week, we offered opportunities for COVID-19 vaccinations through our community partners. Today, we write with a reminder related to one of these efforts. Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 20, is the last day to register for Giant Eagle’s dedicated Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appointments for our Carnegie Mellon community at Heinz Field on April 26 and 27.
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
TIME SENSITIVE: Additional AHN Vaccine Opportunity for CMU Community Members
Our partners at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) are offering 950 dedicated appointments to Carnegie Mellon students, faculty, staff and vendors for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, April 20 at their Pittsburgh Mills clinic, located at 590 Pittsburgh Mills Blvd, Tarentum, PA 15084.
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Vaccine Updates & Opportunities for CMU Community Members
We are encouraged by Governor Wolf’s announcement that effective today, all people aged 16 and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Pennsylvania. We are writing with updates on upcoming opportunities to secure vaccine appointments through partnering providers.
Friday, April 09, 2021
Update: AHN’s Vaccine Clinic Expanded to Include 1C Eligibility Today and Tomorrow
We write with a timely update that Allegheny Health Network has been given permission by Pennsylvania’s Department of Health to administer the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to Phases 1A, 1B and 1C. Although Pennsylvania will expand vaccine access to Phase 1C statewide on Monday, April 12, AHN has been granted special expanded access to begin administering to those eligible in the three phases today and tomorrow.
Thursday, April 08, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments Available
We are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with Allegheny Health Network (AHN) for distribution of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Carnegie Mellon community members will have access to appointments later this month at one of AHN’s vaccination clinics.
Friday, April 02, 2021
Pennsylvania Expansion of COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
As we eagerly await the promise of expanded access to COVID vaccines, we are pleased to provide updates and guidance to the Carnegie Mellon community.
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Updates to CMU Policies for Outdoor Gatherings, Travel, Quarantine & Vaccines
I write today with updates to CMU’s policies related to travel, quarantine and outdoor gatherings. With growing optimism due, in part, to increasing vaccine supply and coverage, we are now able to revisit and modify our virus mitigation protocols.
Friday, March 12, 2021
2021-2022 Academic Calendar and Programming for Summer and Fall Semesters
I write to share the university’s plans for programming this summer, announce the university’s 2021-22 academic calendar and look ahead to the return of a robust student experience on campus beginning in the fall semester.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Update on Remote Work Dates and Vaccines
I want to begin by updating our previous guidance from last December regarding returning to work on campus. It is now our expectation that CMU employees who have been working partially or completely remotely will continue in that mode through at least June 30, 2021. As virus prevalence and vaccine availability evolve, vice presidents, deans and department heads will follow up with specific information pertaining to their divisions, colleges and departments.
Friday, February 19, 2021
Tartan Testing Appointments Available for Week of Feb. 22
I am pleased to announce that we have completed the ramp-up period of the Tartan COVID-19 Asymptomatic Testing Program, and beginning the week of February 22, all Pittsburgh-based faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in Tartan Testing. Appointments are now available, and we invite you to schedule ONE asymptomatic COVID-19 test for next week.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Tartan Testing Updates for Week of Feb. 15
For the upcoming week of February 15, we expect to invite all Pittsburgh-based students and all previously invited faculty and staff to participate in Tartan Testing. Those invited to participate will receive a separate email with detailed directions for participation.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
On-Campus Posture Changes to “Modified Services”
I hope that you are all safe and well as we begin the spring 2021 semester. As we approach the start of in-person instruction and learning beginning on Monday, February 15, campus will move back into a modified services posture beginning at 11:59 p.m., Friday, February 12.
Thursday, February 04, 2021
Tartan Testing: Important Scheduling Updates for Week of Feb. 8
As we near the start of hybrid instruction on February 15, we want to be sure that all students in Pittsburgh as well as faculty and staff who will be delivering in-person instruction have had the opportunity to be tested at least once this week or next week. To ensure we can accomplish this, we are adjusting who is invited to participate in Tartan Testing for the upcoming week of February 8.
Friday, January 29, 2021
Tartan Testing Progress Update
As we get closer to the start of the Spring semester, Carnegie Mellon University continues to ramp up the operations of our Tartan COVID-19 Asymptomatic Testing Program. Thanks to the participation of many members of our community, the program is steadily growing and improving.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Updates to the CMU Experience This Spring
As we embark on the spring semester still impacted by COVID-19, we do so with the knowledge and experiences gained from a successful fall semester in hybrid mode. Although life as a Carnegie Mellon student is of course different living through a pandemic, I am so proud of how our students have created new ways of coming together to enrich our university culture and explore your passions.
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
First Two Weeks Will Be Remote Only; Guide for Spring Semester Planning
As part of our continuing mitigation efforts, we have decided to delay the start of in-person instruction by one additional week. This means that the first two weeks of classes for all students (both graduate and undergraduate) will be remote-only (February 1-12), and in-person classes will begin on Monday, February 15.
Monday, January 04, 2021
Tartan COVID-19 Asymptomatic Testing Program: January Update
I am pleased to provide additional information about the Tartan COVID-19 Asymptomatic Testing Program, which President Jahanian announced in December. The Tartan Testing Program uses a new, regulated on-campus laboratory to better support our strategy to detect and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
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