We look forward to starting the Spring 2022 semester with no changes to the current academic calendar — classes will begin on Jan. 18, 2022.
To maintain the health and safety of our campus community, however, essential pre-arrival and arrival requirements have been put into place.
Read the Jan. 6, 2022 Pre-Arrival and Arrival Expectations message from the Dean of Students
Pre-Arrival Testing
All spring semester students (residential and non-residential) who plan to arrive on campus after January 10 must submit their COVID-19 testing status 24 to 48 hours before their arrival if they are not currently testing regularly through the Clark University Testing Center. Only students who test negative and share that information with the Pre-Arrival Testing Information Form will be permitted to return to campus.
Students testing at the Clark University Testing Center with their three-day testing cadence beginning January 9 have fulfilled their pre-arrival testing requirement. They will receive confirmation via email from the Dean of Students.
In addition to pre-arrival testing, all residential students must test at the Clark Testing Center before checking in to their residence halls, and non-residential students must test at the Clark Testing Center before the start of classes on Jan. 18.
Pre-Arrival Testing Information Form
Students can log in to the secure Pre-Arrival Testing Information Form and upload their pre-arrival COVID-19 test 24–48 hours before their desired return to campus. Once you are logged in, you will have two options:
- If you tested positive outside of Clark’s testing facility during winter break, please supply the details of the positive test and upload a document/image of the test clearly showing your name and the result.
- If you tested negative outside of Clark’s testing facility in preparation for your return to campus, please supply the details of the negative test and upload a document/image of the test clearly showing your name and the result.
Students who have been on campus over Winter Break or arrived early, and who are currently testing regularly with the Clark University Testing Center, will not need to upload their information. Students who have previously tested positive and have been removed from the testing requirements by Health Services also will not need to upload their information. A separate email from the Dean of Students will be sent to those students for verification during check-in.
Finding a COVID Test
Many drug stores and local governments have tests available in the United States. Students who are local or within driving distance may use Clark’s Testing Center in the days prior to their return to campus.
While PCR tests are preferred, rapid tests and at-home tests are acceptable alternatives. Information about where to find rapid test kits, and details about what should be included in the Pre-Arrival Information Form uploads, can be found here.
Any student who has financial difficulty obtaining a COVID test should contact the Dean of Students office.
Mask Policy
Clark has tightened its mask-wearing guidelines for the spring semester: Everyone must wear a mask when in a public space and/or when interacting with others in private offices on campus. The policy applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. We strongly recommend that you use a KN95 or N95 mask, as cloth masks have proven less effective at preventing the spread of the Omicron variant. KN95 masks are available at these distribution points on campus: the Information Desk in the University Center, the Information Desk in the Shaich Family Alumni and Student Engagement Center, and the Help Desk in the Academic Commons.
Booster Vaccination Requirement
There is clear and compelling scientific data that a COVID-19 vaccination booster decreases the transmission and health effects of COVID. Therefore, anyone who has been vaccinated — students, faculty, and staff — are required to receive a booster if they plan to be on campus for the spring semester. The CDC offers guidance on determining your eligibility, and you must receive your booster as soon as possible after becoming eligible — but in no later than 30 days. Once you comply, please update your booster status through our secure portal.