Supplemental COVID Information

With COVID-19 still active in many parts of our country, Wells continues to take precautions to protect the health and safety of our community. Starting in August 2021, Wells College requires all students, faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for an exemption.

Note: to be considered "fully vaccinated," 14 days must have passed since your second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

If you have not already done so, please complete your COVID-19 vaccination requirements and submit a copy of your vaccination record through the admissions portal.

Get Vaccinated in Time!

Because it takes two weeks for vaccines to become fully effective, here are some dates to remember:

• August 1:  the date when students must have received their final required dose to be considered fully vaccinated for activities that begin the week of Aug. 15. This date is especially important for student-athletes who are arriving at Wells on Aug. 17.

• August 12:  the date when students must have received their final required dose to be considered fully vaccinated for activities that begin on Aug. 26. This date is relevant for all new students arriving Aug. 26 for Orientation.

Anyone arriving on campus before receiving their final vaccination dose, or before two weeks have lapsed since the final dose, must be tested weekly and wear a mask when indoors until two weeks following the date of their final vaccine dose.

Covid-19 Testing Requirements for Students and Guests during Fall Arrival

Due to the continued spread of COVID-19, we are asking students and families to limit the number of guests travelling to Wells for move-in day. Families and guests will not be tested during their visit to campus, but will be asked to show their COVID-19 vaccination card or other evidence of having been fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

All students will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival at Wells, and all individuals on campus will be required to wear masks indoors at all times — regardless of vaccination status.

Other important details:

• The testing staff will notify the Dean of Students if a student tests positive for COVID-19. Any student who tests positive will be required either to return home or go into an isolation room in Dodge South. Special arrangements will be made for the student’s belongings to be placed into their residence hall and for the student to obtain information provided during the orientation sessions. 
• Guests who have previously tested positive for COVID or who are showing COVID symptoms will be asked to remain in their vehicle and not mingle with anyone else for the duration of their stay on campus. Food and drink will be provided, as needed. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Exemptions

We recognize that some individuals do not intend to be vaccinated at this time. For those individuals we allow an exemption for valid medical, religious or other reasons. Students who seek an exemption should complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Waiver Request form at wells.edu/covid-waiver.

NOTE: you must be logged into a Google / Gmail account to fill it out; it doesn’t have to be your Wells College Google account.

Please note that weekly COVID testing is required for all non-vaccinated individuals while a decision is pending and after an approval for exemption.

COVID Guidelines Subject to Change

The above guidelines are subject to change without warning if federal, state and/or local authorities issue new requirements to further prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will provide notice of any such changes to students and families, should new requirements be adopted.

Questions about the COVID-19 vaccination requirement can be addressed to Charles Kenyon, Dean of Students, at ckenyon@wells.edu or by calling 315.364.3311.

This page was last updated Aug. 17, 2021.