Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Students and employees should not come to campus if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Students must report symptoms of or known exposure to COVID-19 to the COVID Hotline at (509) 313-7070, and can access testing through Gonzaga University Health and Counseling Services (509) 313-4052, a local healthcare agency, or pharmacy.

Employees with symptoms are to send an email to leaves.accommodations@gonzaga.edu, isolate and test for COVID-19 immediately, regardless of vaccine status. Employees are to access testing through their health care provider or pharmacy.

Students

• Call into the COVID-19 hotline at (509) 313-7070 ext. 1 to report your positive test and begin the contact tracing process.
• On campus students will be moved into the isolation hall, and immediately connected to dining and care resources.
• Notify your professors that you will be absent from class and discuss options for accommodations.
• Follow the health and safety instructions provided by your contact tracer.
• Access the Student Isolation Guide (myGU) for more resources and support.

Employees

• Stay home, except to get medical care, and notify HR by emailing leaves.accommodations@gonzaga.edu. In your email include:
  • What day you experienced your first symptom
  • When was your last day on campus? Did you have any close contacts on campus?
  • When did you test?
• Notify your supervisor that you will not be coming to campus, you do not need to tell them you are COVID positive.
• Follow the health and safety instructions provided by your health care provider.
• A contact tracer from Spokane Regional Health District will contact you to discuss high-risk exposures involving other Gonzaga community members and to identify any close contacts on campus who need to be quarantined.
• Make arrangements to work virtually (if possible and/or approved by your supervisor) if you feel well enough, or if you are unable to work while you are sick, enter sick leave on your timesheet.

Individuals who test positive can return back to campus when

• It has been at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared; and
• At least 24 hours have passed with no fever without fever-reducing medication; and
• Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving (Note: loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation)

Yes, we are requiring vaccination of students and employees. We know that you may have lots of questions around vaccine requirements, including how to upload your vaccine status and more. Visit www.gonzaga.edu/ZagsVaxUp for answers to all your questions.

We want to underscore the significance of wearing of masks and maintaining distance where possible. Face coverings, when appropriately utilized, can be incredibly effective at reducing viral spread.

Due to the large numbers of people coming together from many different places, the numerous viral variants circulating in the world, and the fundamental obligation we all have to protect ourselves and each other – as of August 18, 2021 we are requiring all students and employees (vaccinated or not) to wear face coverings (e.g., masks) for at least the first several weeks of the fall semester in congregate indoor spaces (e.g., classrooms, labs, large meeting areas, and public gathering spaces) where numerous people are gathering in close proximity. It is assumed that small groups of fully vaccinated individuals may safely gather without masks, for example while eating in dining facilities, in residence halls, and small meeting areas. In consultation with the Spokane Regional Health District, certain areas (e.g., the Rudolf Fitness Center) will operate with specific protocols. We hope to relax mask protocols once we have a sense of the incidence of COVID-19 in our community. Per State requirements, all unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks in congregate indoor spaces. Those who are vaccinated may choose to wear masks for any reason. Assumptions about vaccine status should not be made based upon whether a mask is being worn, or not.

In addition, we will ask community members to consider wearing masks in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated. Per State directives, community members that are unvaccinated must wear masks and physically distance indoors. However, those who are vaccinated may choose to wear a mask for any reason. Assumptions about vaccine status should not be made based upon whether a mask is being worn or distance observed.

Updated August 13, 2021

Yes. In accordance with Washington State Department of Health Order 20.03.2, those who have not been fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing, unless outdoors and separated from people not of their immediate household by at least six feet.

People are considered “fully vaccinated” two (2) weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose COVID-19 series, or two (2) weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

Updated August 13, 2021

Testing is a vital part in determining COVID-19 infection and mitigating spread. We will continue to use best practices around testing students for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Testing strategies include:

• Signs/Symptoms/Exposure Testing (SSE): Individuals who should be tested for current infection of COVID-19 include those who have:
  • Signs or symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection
  • Non-vaccinated individuals who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone with confirmed COVID-19
  • Non-vaccinated individuals who have taken part in activities that put them at higher risk for COVID-19 because they cannot physically distance as needed to avoid exposure, such as travel, attending large social or mass gatherings, or being in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor settings
  • Fully vaccinated students who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested 3-5 days following the date of their exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
  • The following individuals do NOT need to be tested for current COVID-19 infection:
    • People who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months and recovered do not need to get tested following an exposure as long as they do not develop new symptoms
  • Students with symptoms of or known exposure to COVID-19 can access testing at Gonzaga University Health and Counseling Services or a local healthcare agency or pharmacy.
  • Those who get tested and have symptoms or were potentially exposed should stay away from others (e.g., quarantine) pending test results and follow the advice of your healthcare provider
• Targeted Testing is performed by Health and Counseling Services in collaboration with SRHD and is the testing of close contacts of a confirmed case (both symptomatic and asymptomatic). Further targeted testing occurs based on the test results of close contacts and other epidemiologic factors surrounding each specific case.
  • Fully vaccinated students who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested 3-5 days following the date of their exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result
  • We will establish community partnerships with healthcare agencies to assist with the provision of targeted testing for students as needed
• Surveillance Testing on campus will persist only for special populations as needed (e.g., student athletes per NCAA guidelines, nursing students per requirements of clinical site or WA DOH). At this time, we do not plan to have open walk-in testing on campus for Fall 2021. On the advice of Spokane Regional Health District, focused random testing for COVID-19 may be introduced should circumstances warrant it.

Updated August 13, 2021

No. ZagCheck will not be required for students or employees this fall. We ask that students conduct symptom monitoring every day before coming to campus or leaving their residence for campus-related purposes. If a student has any COVID-19 symptoms, they must NOT come to campus, and are to contact the Office of Health and Counseling at at (509) 313-4052.

Employees are to conduct symptom monitoring every day before coming to campus or leaving their residence for campus-related purposes. This information no longer needs to be reported via ZagCheck in a daily attestation. Employees should report any COVID-19 symptoms to leaves.accommodations@gonzaga.edu, isolate, and test for COVID-19 immediately, regardless of vaccine status.

Updated August 13, 2021

Students and employees should not come to campus if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Students must report symptoms of or known exposure to COVID-19 to Health and Counseling Services at (509) 313-4052, and can access testing through Gonzaga University, a local healthcare agency, or pharmacy.

Employees with symptoms are to send an email to leaves.accommodations@gonzaga.edu isolate, and test for COVID-19 immediately, regardless of vaccine status. Employees are to access testing through their health care provider or pharmacy.

Updated August 13, 2021

Those who have symptoms or were potentially exposed should stay away from others (e.g., quarantine) pending their own test results and follow the advice of their healthcare provider. Students are to report exposure to Health and Counseling Services at (509) 313-4052, and employees to leaves.accommodations@gonzaga.edu. Current CDC guidance indicates that fully vaccinated individuals who come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested 3-5 days following the date of their exposure and wear a mask in public indoor settings as required by the Governor.

Updated September 09, 2021

Isolation 

All students who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19 must initiate isolation and may be required to move to an isolation space on campus or within their own residence. Gonzaga University Contact Tracers will provide case management for all students in isolation. Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) may also provide support in instances of high-volume dependent on isolation space availability. Isolation protocols follow CDC isolation guidelines and SRHD guidelines. On-campus students in isolation may interact with each other and do not require a private bathroom.  

Quarantine

All known non-vaccinated students determined to be a close contact of a positive case must initiate quarantine and may be required to move to a quarantine space on campus or within their own residence. Gonzaga University Contact Tracers will provide case management for all students in quarantine.  Quarantine protocols follow CDC quarantine guidelines and Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) guidelines. Fully vaccinated students who are close contacts of a positive case do not need to quarantine at this time. This guidance is subject to change.

Click here for more information about Isolation and Quarantine.

The university offers a number of mental health resources including:  

• Tele-mental health care for individuals 
• Virtual group sessions (Spring 2022)  
• Careful attention/response to suicidal thoughts and behaviors 
• Mental health crisis response (In-person in Fall 2021) 
• Support/coordination for students testing positive for COVID 
• Support for students whose mental health is impacted but do not require/desire clinical intervention 
• Connecting “well” students to on & off campus resources 
• Consultation for staff, faculty, students, families on students of concern 
• Outreach to students of concern & students not engaging in class 

If you need mental health support, please contact CCP at (509) 313-2227 and/or Health and Counseling Services at (509) 313-4052. You can also refer a friend using the online Refer form. Click here to learn more about available resources. 

On-campus, in-person instruction is resuming, and it is our plan that most classes that were delivered in-person prior to the pandemic will return to in-person modality by the start of the Fall 2021 semester. Alternative teaching modalities, like those employed during the 2020-2021 academic year, may be used by some academic areas with the approval of the school’s Dean and the Provost.

Here is some additional information about what to expect in the classroom this fall:

• As with any other semester, all in-person courses will adhere to scheduled meeting times. 
• With few exceptions, classes will be taught in-person and face-to-face. Rare changes to in-person instruction will follow departmental, school/college procedures and will be communicated via ZagWeb. 
• Classrooms will be at full occupancy and instruction is returning to pre-COVID methodologies, including regular student/faculty interactions and student/student interactions. 
• According to local, State and Federal guidelines, and due to the vaccinations of Gonzaga community members, physical distancing will not be required in classrooms, allowing us to resume regular in-person instruction and normal in-class interactions. Masks are required in the classroom at all times. 
• To facilitate a smooth and safe transition, indoor interactions in university settings (e.g., offices, labs, hallways, and including in-person instructions) will require the use of masks by students, faculty, staff and vendors until further notice.
• The Class Attendance Policy (and the option to assign a V grade) as stated in the University’s Academic Policies and Procedures is reinstated. However, we will accommodate COVID-19 related sickness and periods of quarantine or isolation on a case-by-case basis. Absences will follow faculty policies as outlined in their course syllabi, including the availability and management of class recordings on a case-by-case basis at the instructor’s discretion. 
• Students should always consult their syllabi and instructors for additional policies related to illness, presence in class, etc.  

Updated August 13, 2021

On-campus, in-person instruction in the 2021-22 academic year may be disrupted by the pandemic and students may at times be unable to attend regularly scheduled classes due to isolation/quarantine requirements or COVID-19 illness.  Class recordings, if made, may be provided on a case-by-case basis to students who are unable to attend class, with the understanding that not all course material and discussions are appropriate for recording, and that recordings need not be shared with all students. Class recordings are not meant as a substitute for on-campus, in-person instruction, nor are faculty required to provide recordings when requested. Furthermore, if sensitive or personal student information is disclosed during a discussion, sharing a recording is discouraged.

Zag Dining remains committed to innovating services, allowing for flexibility with safety standards in place for students, guests, and staff. Many changes put in place this past year will be maintained including practices around sanitation, ventilation, and movement of individuals within dining locations. It is our intent to return to full dine-in operations this fall for all resident dining locations. Please see below for a list of safety protocols that will be maintained: 

• All dining locations will have signs visible that highlight physical distancing standards and protocols, if required by Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD)
• Masks (as required by the Governor), gloves, airborne particle barriers (plexiglass or safety glass), other PPE, and sanitizing products will continue to be utilized in all locations. 
• Visible floor markings will be in place along with directional flow and stanchions for crowd control and risk mitigation, if necessary
• Students will continue to swipe their ID card and an attendant will monitor and provide support at an appropriate distance
• Cashless payment will continue to be promoted and encouraged to mitigate risk by limiting exchange/cross contact opportunity 
• All credit card readers/pin pads used by customers will continue to be disinfected after each use. Should any cashier need to handle a customer card for any reason, the attendant protocol will require the use of PPE, specifically gloves and sanitizing product
• Surface areas will continue to be disinfected after each use
• All Dining locations will continue to have schematic floor, seating, and flow chart diagrams created to ensure compliant seating based upon any change in SRHD phase designation, and offer safe dining and flow of traffic given the circumstances at that time
• Implementing station-specific sanitation procedures and have sanitizing stations available for guests. The department will continue to document sanitation efforts for each location.
• Hours of operation will continue to be assessed and adjusted each week

To learn more about Dining options, visit Sodexo/Dining. 

Updated September 09, 2021

We are utilizing a “block schedule” move-in approach to decrease the number of students moving into a particular residence hall or apartment at any given time. Returning students have been assigned to spaces for the fall semester. Each student has been assigned a move-in date and time which will be communicated via email from the Housing and Residence Life office. Students can find their specific move-in date and time on their homepage of ZagLiving. For more information about residence hall move-in, visit www.gonzaga.edu/movein. 

All students are required to wear masks (until otherwise notified) when in common areas of campus residence halls, including hallways and shared lounges. 

This year, we will return to the pre-pandemic practice of allowing students to visit other students in residence halls, regardless of where they are assigned. Key card access to the buildings will be limited to residents only, but guests may be escorted to friend’s rooms, socialize, and attend residence hall events as appropriate.

Updated September 09, 2021

Gonzaga is reopening to guests and requires that all guests and event attendees be fully vaccinated before coming to campus. Participants or guests must be prepared to show proof of vaccination when they arrive. Guests must keep their masks on, whether inside or outside. 

Currently, there are no restrictions or requirements for capacity limitations or physical distancing for on-campus events. Here is what you need to know before visiting or hosting someone on campus: 

• Guests/Attendees 12+ must be fully vaccinated having received a final vaccination dose at least two weeks prior to event date (e.g., second dose of Pfizer/Moderna or single dose of Johnson & Johnson) and have a CDC-issued COVID-19 vaccination card showing fully vaccinated status presented at time of entry of event.
• All Guests/Attendees must wear a mask while on campus 
• Guests who will be on campus for more than 10 minutes must: 
• Complete a digital self-certification form certifying that they or a member of their household have not:
  • Been diagnosed with, or knowingly exposed to a positive case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days
  • Been experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, dry cough, new loss of taste or smell
  • Been asked to self-quarantine or self-isolate in the last 14 days
• Upon arrival, guests and attendees must show proof of vaccination at the event check in. Guests or attendees are required to wear a mask while on campus (both inside and outside)

Following are acceptable proofs of full vaccination (if 12+):

1. Vaccination card (which includes your name, type of vaccine provided, and date last dose administered) 
2. A photo of a vaccination card as a separate document 
3. A photo of your vaccine card stored on a phone or electronic device 

Documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider electronic health record or state Immunization Information System record (note: self-reported vaccination records that are not verified by a health care provider cannot be accepted).

To learn more, click here.

Updated September 09, 2021

Yes, Gonzaga University is currently planning to reopen to all guests with in-person events; however, some events, lectures and performances may continue to be held virtually. Gonzaga University requires that all guests and event attendees be fully vaccinated before coming to campus. To learn more, click here. 

As you can imagine, Gonzaga has had to make many necessary, urgent, and unplanned decisions in response to the pandemic. Dedicated to our mission of providing an education that is accessible to all, last academic year we refunded room and board fees for those students who did not remain in GU housing, paid federal work-study students whether they could work or not, provided campus housing and dining for those unable to return home, offered additional institutional financial aid to students, and bolstered technology capabilities so academic classes could continue with as little interruption as possible. Additionally, various other forms of revenue from events, conferences, all of which contribute to the operating budget of the University, have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Gonzaga is committed to understanding the financial burdens our students and their families are navigating as a result of the coronavirus, and your gift—in any size—will support the education of those committed to becoming the ethical leaders our world needs most.  

Donating to the Fund for Gonzaga helps students and our campus with support to the greatest needs. Your donation will provide flexible support for scholarships, learning resources, student and campus needs as they emerge, and important provisions for the health and safety of our entire community. You can also share stories of Zags doing good during this time and stay connected with Zag Nation on the Zags at Home web page. 

Please contact Erin Shields, Director of Alumni and Employer Engagement, at shieldse@gonzaga.edu if you have internship or job opportunities for our graduates. 

To learn more about how you can support our students, click here: giving.page/form.  

Click here to learn more about the enrollment process and to discover how you can be a Zag. 

We know that you have a lot on your mind as we get closer to the start of fall semester. As such, we have developed a series of Return to Gonzaga Guides that include all of the information you need to know before you return. Click here to learn more!   

For the latest information about COVID-19, visit the CDC website, the Washington State Department of Health website, and the Spokane Regional Health District website. 

We recognize the inherent dignity of all individuals and expect professional conduct in activities and programs and in the relationships we share with students, faculty, staff, and the public.

During this pandemic, where there are so many unknowns, taking care of each other is just as important as taking care of ourselves. Cura Personalis, or care for the whole person, and Cura Apostolica, or care for the work or institution, go hand in hand and are integral to our mission. We are committed to continuing to maintain an educational, working, and living environment free of all forms of discrimination or harassment. Making assumptions about or engaging in negative treatment of others based on perceived COVID-19 symptoms, medical conditions or abilities, national origin, racial and ethnic characteristics, or any other protected status hurts our community and will not be tolerated. Any acts of discrimination or harassment run counter to our University values and policies, including our Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy.

We also recognize that every student has had very different experiences during the pandemic and that COVID-19 has had disproportionate impacts among people of color. We are here to support you and provide the resources necessary to allow your experience at Gonzaga to be the best it can be. The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Community & Equity (DICE) utilizes the principles of critical dialogue, reciprocity, and solidarity to facilitate learning that cultivates cultural engagement, enriches mindfulness, fosters a sense of belonging, and challenges systems of privilege and oppression. To connect with the DICE team and learn more about resources and support systems available during this time of uncertainty and challenge, call (509) 313-4100.

As shared by the CDC, stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate a disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease. Stigma can also occur after a person has been released from COVID-19 quarantine even though they are not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others.

Stigma hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem. We can fight stigma and help not hurt others by providing social support. We can communicate the facts and prevent the unnecessary harm of stigma.

Information about stigma can be found on the CDC's Reducing Stigma website.