COVID-19 Information

From Dean Kevin Hughes emailed to students, faculty and employees.

Good afternoon everyone,

I hope this email finds you well and thriving in whatever summer experience you’re pursuing. Life is quiet on campus without you, although Setting Sail has started and the Class of 2025 is here and beginning their transition to being a Captain. We’ll look forward to having all of you back on campus in about two months.

I am writing today with a number of updates. While some concern COVID, others do not but they can shape your experience on campus. Please take a moment to absorb all of the information so you know what to expect upon your return.

Immunizations and masks

As I previously shared with you, the university requires the COVID vaccine for all students unless they have been approved for an exemption for medical or religious reasons. You have received an email from immunizations@cnu.edu and/or text with instructions on accessing the immunization portal. Returning students will find the link by logging into CNU Connect and accessing their myLinks (gold bar) tab. New students have been provided a specific URL to access the portal. Your documentation should be uploaded directly into the portal and if you need to request an exemption, you can download the form directly from the portal, complete the request form, attain any signatures necessary, and submit the completed form via the portal. Remember, you need to be fully vaccinated by August 1st or have received confirmation that your exemption has been received and processed. Be mindful of this timeframe as it relates to full vaccination (2 weeks after the last shot) so you can plan accordingly. If you have any questions or concerns about the portal or you’re having trouble navigating it, please email immunizations@cnu.edu.

Recently, we made some modifications to our mask requirements based on updated guidance received from the Virginia Department of Health. Masks are no longer required for any individual, vaccinated or unvaccinated, when they are outdoors and not in a crowd. Please note that unvaccinated people must wear masks when they are in a crowd and whenever they are inside.

As has been the case since March 2020, our campus requirements are likely to evolve and will continue to be informed by guidance we receive from the CDC, Governor’s Office, VDH, and the Peninsula Health District.

Juneteenth, DEI, and our community

Today marks the Commonwealth of Virginia’s celebration of the Juneteenth state holiday. Enacted last year in recognition of the June 19, 1865 date on which Union troops notified the last enslaved Americans in Texas of their freedom, Juneteenth was signed into federal law as a national holiday by President Biden just yesterday. It’s an important day for our community, the state and the country.

During the summer of 2020, President Trible appointed Dr. Angela Spranger of the Luter School of Business to serve as the university’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. In her role, Dr. Spranger is charting a course for educating our community on inclusive excellence concepts that can guide our work at Christopher Newport. While a number of activities have already occurred, one of the most important steps we’re taking as a university involves a series of educational videos. Please make time to watch the following brief message from Dr. Spranger that introduces our future steps, found here.

Environmental initiatives

You may be aware that in March, Governor Northam signed Executive Order 77 which focused on the elimination of single-use plastics by all state agencies, including colleges and universities. We’re certainly doing our part and this EO is consistent with some of our broader sustainability efforts on campus. Here’s how the elimination of single-use plastics will affect you.

• By July 21, we must stop buying, selling or distributing certain single-use plastics. The specific items included in this first step include to-go containers (think Regattas), straws and utensils, plastic water bottles (like in a vending machine), and plastic bags. That certainly is a lot for us, especially when considering the COVID protocols we’ve had to put in place during the last year. It goes beyond those, however. It’s things like trash can liners along with everything else in that list.
• The second step requires us to develop a multiyear plan to eliminate buying, selling or distributing all non-medical single-use plastics. This means all single-use plastics on campus.

We have a lot of work ahead of us, and we’ll need your help. Of course, I also know that environmental initiatives are important to a number of you. If you are interested in helping build our efforts, please be on the lookout for future opportunities to help with sustainability at the university.

That’s enough for now as I’m sure you’re off doing great things this summer. As you are, please know we miss having you on campus. We’re excited to return to a semester that will remind you much more of Fall 2019 than the 2020-21 year. Be safe, enjoy your summer, and look for more information and updates in the coming weeks.