FAQs

General

  • What do I do if I am feeling ill or test positive for COVID-19?

    Any member of our community exhibiting signs of COVID-19 should seek immediate medical attention.

    If you are feeling ill or have tested positive for COVID-19, you should self-isolate and avoid close contact with all others. You also should contact MSU's COVID-19 hotline at 855-958-2678 and stay in touch with your health care provider. More information on what to do if you feel sick can be found on the CDC website.

    If you think you have been exposed from a close contact and are not vaccinated, you should self-quarantine and monitor your symptoms. More information can be found on the State of Michigan's coronavirus website.

  • What are MSU's plans for the Fall 2021 semester?

    While the university is planning for a typical fall semester, recent CDC data suggests that even  vaccinated individuals can, in some cases, spread COVID-19. As such MSU has updated requirements for all students, faculty, staff and visitors.

    • All individuals are required to wear masks indoors beginning Aug. 1 in all campus buildings and other MSU facilities in East Lansing and throughout the state. This requirement will be in place for at least the first weeks of the fall semester.
    • All students, faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with an FDA-authorized or WHO-approved vaccine by Aug. 31. Limited exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be provided.

    A majority of undergraduate classes will be offered in person. The health colleges and other graduate programs are on different academic calendar than undergraduate students. Students should check with their individual college to learn more about their in-person experiences planned for the fall semester.

    Planning also is underway to have more faculty and staff return to working in-person on campus. Other fall plans include:

    • We will offer a residence hall experience to first-year students and as many other students as possible while still providing a safe living space.
    • MSU Athletics is planning for fall events with spectators again. All venue limitations have been lifted.
    • The Wharton Center and Broad Art Museum are planning events this fall.
    • Our current university-related travel restrictions are being adapted to location-based guidance.
    • With more students returning this fall, we expect that people who have student-, faculty- or public-facing roles will be returning to in-person positions in some capacity. 
  • How are buildings being prepared as more faculty, staff and students return to campus?

    IPF has worked diligently to prepare campus workspaces and buildings as more faculty, staff and students return. Find out more about air circulation, cleaning protocols and other services here. 

  • What is the expectation of those who come to campus?

    All individuals are required to wear masks indoors beginning Aug. 1 in all campus buildings and other MSU facilities in East Lansing and throughout the state.

  • What are the plans for MSU Athletics in Fall 2021?
    With the lifting of capacity requirements at venues throughout the state, MSU is expecting to have full and robust venues for fall sports.
  • What buildings and services are open on campus?

    Most buildings will return to normal public access building hours by Aug. 1.

    Please visit eatatstate.msu.edu/covid19 for an updated list of dining options. Other buildings and services, such as the MSU Veterinary Medical Center and MSU Health Care, have modified their operations. Patients and visitors should contact those services before arriving on campus.

  • How do students and employees get access to personal accommodations, such as clear face coverings?

    All accommodations can be requested via the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities.

  • What is the COVID-19 Early Detection Program?

    The COVID-19 Early Detection Program is a key part of MSU's health and safety strategy. While participation in the program is no longer mandatory, leadership reserves the right to restart the program if case counts rise in the community.

     

  • What is the status of the MSU health clinics?

    MSU Health Care clinics have reopened with extra safety measures in place. More information can be found here. Almost all locations still offer telehealth visits. MSU Pharmacy offers prescription delivery within a 30-mile radius of campus, same-day curbside pick-up at both locations, 90-day supply and will assist with early refills. To learn about these services, visit healthteam.msu.edu/covid19.

  • What is the status of the MSU Veterinary Medical Center?

    The MSU Vet Medical Center is now allowing clients into the building with patients.

    Unvaccinated clients will be required to wear masks while indoors or remain in their vehicles or outside while on the College of Veterinary Medicine campus.

    If any clients are feeling ill or have any symptoms of COVID-19, please reschedule your appointment and do not enter the building.

    Clients and referring veterinarians are encouraged to visit the hospital’s website for more information.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Students and Parents

  • What should I do if I feel ill or have been exposed to COVID-19?

    If feeling ill, students should contact MSU's COVID-19 hotline at 855-958-2678 or contact their health care provider. If you are ill, you should self-isolate and avoid close contact with all others. More information on what to do if you feel sick can be found on the CDC website.

    MSU Student Health Services remains open, and medical visits for MSU students are available at Olin Health Center and require an appointment be scheduled prior to arrival at the clinic. Call 517-353-4660 Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 to 4:50 p.m.

    If you think you have been exposed from a close contact and are not vaccinated, you should self-quarantine and monitor your symptoms. More information can be found at the State of Michigan's coronavirus website.

  • How can I find out if my roommate is vaccinated?
    All students, faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with an FDA-authorized or WHO-approved vaccine by Aug. 31. Limited exemptions for medical or religious reasons will be provided.
  • What is the isolation/quarantine process or policy?
    If a student living on campus tests positive, MSU will provide them with a room to isolate. If a student living on campus is a close contact and is unvaccinated, MSU will provide them with a room to quarantine. If a student living on campus is a close contact and is vaccinated, they do not need to quarantine.
  • Why should I participate in contact tracing?  What happens if I don’t?

    Contact tracing involves identifying those individuals who were in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 or was exposed. It is a vital tool to identify outbreaks. It is important that students up the phone when they see a number from a 517 area code; it might be the Ingham County Health Department or Office of the University Physician. Students are expected to fully cooperate with contracting efforts; if they do not, they can be referred to the student conduct process.

  • If I share names during contact tracing, will they know that if came from me?

    Contact tracers do not share any private information when identifying individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19.

  • What if I don’t want to get tested, even if I’m told I should?

    It is vital to get tested if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed. If you are asked to be tested for COVID-19, and you refuse, you can be referred to the student conduct process.

  • What mental health resources are available for students?

    There are myriad resources available for students, even though nearly all classes are virtual. Students do not need to be on campus to take advantage of crisis counseling, download a virtual care kit or take part in consultation services aimed at reaching historically underrepresented groups, among many other programs. For more information, visit the Resources page.

    Spartan students also are sharing tips for success directly with one another. Watch as MSU senior Jay Gooden offers suggestions and resources for reducing stress, staying organized and finding help when it’s needed.

Faculty and Staff

  • What should I do if I feel ill or have been exposed to COVID-19?

    If feeling ill, faculty and staff should contact their primary care physician. If you are ill, you should self-isolate and avoid close contact with all others. More information on what to do if you feel sick can be found on the CDC website.

    If you think you have been exposed from a close contact and have not been vaccinated, you should self-quarantine and monitor your symptoms. More information can be found at the State of Michigan's coronavirus website.

    For more information on when you can be around others after either a positive test or potential exposure, check out this scenario chart from the Ingham County Health Department.

  • Should employees be coming back to work?

    All employees who have been working remotely should continue doing so until told otherwise by their supervisor.

    Unit leaders will have the flexibility to determine how their teams work best (in-person, remotely or hybrid), keeping equity and individual team member circumstances in mind.

    With more students returning this fall, we expect that people who have student-, faculty- or public-facing roles will be returning to in-person positions in some capacity. 

  • What do I do if a student discloses they have tested positive for COVID-19?
    If a faculty member, adviser, or staff member are made aware of a positive test by a student (from the student) they should notify the University Physician's office by calling (517) 353-8933 or emailing uphys@msu.edu. It is not appropriate to share information about a student's health or medical status with the rest of the class or other faculty/staff members. The appropriate people will be contacted through MSU's contact tracing efforts if they are believed to have been a close contact with the positive individual. Any communications provided to the classroom or department, if deemed necessary through contact tracking, will be sent by the University Physician's office.
  • Are research activities continuing at MSU?

    All major research buildings are now open for operation. Please visit vp.research.msu.edu/coronavirus for more information.

  • What mental health resources are available for faculty and staff?
    Faculty and staff are encouraged to keep an eye on theit own mental health and well-being. All academic units have been instructed by the Office of the Provost to be as flexible as possible with work arrangements, and that directive will extend into the spring. Please reference the faculty and staff mental health resources that are available.

FAQs