WISCONSIN — College students across Wisconsin are starting to head back to school.
Many are being met with new COVID-19 policies and protocols.
On Thursday, Aug. 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave updated guidance on COVID-19. While the CDC said it encourages people to be vaccinated and boosted against the coronavirus, it streamlined its guidance in an attempt to make it easier for people to know what to do if they’re exposed or test positive for COVID-19.
The CDC now recommends everyone take the same steps regardless of vaccination status: Watch for symptoms for 10 days, wear a high-quality mask when around others indoors for 10 days, test after five days (or sooner if experiencing symptoms) and take extra precautions when around people who are more likely to get very sick if infected.
But different universities across the Badger State have different guidelines for their students. Here are the Fall 2022 policies:
Alverno College
Alverno requires vaccines for students, faculty and staff. Boosters are encouraged, but not required.
There is a vaccine exemption request process for those who need it. However, students, faculty and staff who are unvaccinated and approved for "accommodation or exemption are subject to weekly random testing at their own expense." The college said testing requirements may change based on COVID-19 transmission levels in the area.
Alverno did note that even when approved, unvaccinated individuals may be prohibited from some events and activities, including but not limited to co-curricular programs and some classes.
Those who do not comply with the vaccine policy face corrective or disciplinary action.
Alverno does not have a mask requirement.
Beloit College
Beloit College is requiring all students to test for COVID-19 before they return to campus this semester. Students must test one to six days prior to arrival with a PCR or rapid antigen test.
Weekly COVID-19 testing is no longer required.
Students, faculty and staff are required to be boosted against the coronavirus. Masks are optional for all campus community members.
Carroll University
Carroll University will not require vaccination or weekly COVID-19 testing for the 2022-23 school year. However, students in the College of Health Science may be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for clinical placements.
Students who are sick are asked to get tested. Should they test positive for COVID-19, they are required to report their test result.
Maks are optional for students, employees and other campus community members regardless of vaccination status. However, everyone is required to have a mask on hand at all times should they need to use it. The university said faculty and staff “reserve the right to require masks during their classes and/or in meetings with students or other employees.”
Lawrence University
Students, faculty and staff at Lawrence University are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. The university said it may make exceptions for medical reasons, religious beliefs or personal conviction. Proof of vaccination or a waiver is required to return to campus.
Students who do not provide proof of vaccination or a waiver but choose to return to campus face disciplinary action.
Masks are not required but the university deemed itself a “mask friendly campus.” However, “individuals, faculty, staff, or event organizers may determine their own [mask] guidelines for individual spaces, including classrooms, laboratories, residence hall rooms and performance areas.”
Marquette University
Marquette University said it requires masks in certain areas including on-campus clinical settings and its childcare center. Instructors can encourage mask-wearing in classrooms or labs, and students will be asked to comply with those requests. Masks are strongly recommended indoors but are not required.
Marquette requires primary and booster vaccinations for students. Proof of vaccination must be submitted to the university and exceptions must be sent to the university’s medical clinic. Students who fail to do so within the first 30 days of the semester will have a hold placed on their accounts, prohibiting them from registering for classes.
Students who are not vaccinated or are not up to date on vaccines are required to screen for COVID-19 daliy. Students who are exempt from vaccination or are not up to date must quarantine if they are exposed to COVID-19.
Vaccines are encouraged but not required for faculty and staff.
Mount Mary University
Mount Mary University made masks optional for Fall 2022.
The university said those who “have COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive, or have had significant exposure to someone who has tested positive” must complete a COVID screening and cannot return to campus without a staff member’s approval.
Vaccines are encouraged but not required for students. Vaccines are required for employees and student workers, as of Spring 2022.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Masks are not required on UW-Eau Claire’s campuses.
UW-Eau Claire does not require students or employees to be vaccinated. If students are vaccinated, they are asked to share vaccine information with the school.
UW-Eau Claire does not have a testing requirement.
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
UW-Green Bay does not require masks on campus. However, some medical treatment areas such as the Dr. Hinkley Training Room and Student Wellness Center may mandate masks. PPE is available upon request.
The university recommends all faculty, staff and students are "up to date" on COVID-19 vaccines but does not require them.
Campus-wide testing is not required, but some departments, such as athletics, may reqiure testing.
Should someone test positive for COVID-19 they are required to isolate from campus for five days.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
UW-La Crosse does not require vaccinations for COVID-19.
UW-La Crosse does not require, but encourages, mask-wearing.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
UW-Madison does not require masks on campus, except at COVID-19 test sites and other clinical spaces on campus, including University Health Services. Instructors can recommend, but not require, masks to be worn in their classrooms.
The university does not require any vaccines for students, but does recommend COVID-19, among other, vaccines.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Masks are required in some areas on UW-Milwaukee’s campus, such as Norris Health Center, the Children’s Learning Center, UWM campus shuttles and buses, and specific health care professional training programs.
Physical distancing is not required.
Students and staff are required to self-report positive COVID-19 tests.
The university does not require any vaccines for students, but does recommend COVID-19, among other, vaccines.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
UW-Oshkosh does not require masks or COVID-19 vaccines.
UW-Oshkosh requires any student with a positive COVID-19 test result to isolate for at least five days. After five days, students who are symptom-free or whose symptoms have “largely resolved” may resume normal activities but are asked to mask for five more days.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Masks are recommended, but not required, at UW-Parkside.
UW-Parkside was contacted for more information on its COVID-19 policies.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
UW-Platteville does not require masks or COVID-19 vaccines.
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
UW-River Falls requires any student with a positive COVID-19 test result to isolate for at least five days. After five days, students may resume normal activities but are asked to mask for five more days.
Masks are not required. Instructors can encourage, but cannot require, masks. COVID-19 vaccines are also not required, but are encouraged.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
UW-Stevens Point does not require masks, except at COVID-19 testing sites and the CPS Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic as well as Student Health Service and the Counseling Center.
UW-Stevens Point was contacted for more information on its COVID-19 policies.
University of Wisconsin-Stout
UW-Stout does not require masks, vaccines or regular testing. Faculty cannot mandate masks in their class settings.
"UW-Stout follows current CDC guidance and asks that any student with a positive COVID-19 test result isolate for at least five days. After five days, students who are fever-free and whose symptoms are manageable may resume normal activities but are asked to mask for five more days," a university spokesperson said.
University of Wisconsin-Superior
UW-Superior does not require masks or vaccines. The school also does not require reporting of positive COVID-19 tests.
"We are encouraging members of our campus community to stay home if they aren't feeling well and to follow Douglas County Public Health's guidelines if they have tested positive for COVID-19," a university spokesperson said.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
UW-Whitewater does not require masks except in clinical areas. The university said it “encourages” up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations.
The university no longer requires COVID-19 reporting.
Ryan Chatelain contributed to this report.
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