Campus Operational Levels

Updated April 30, 2020

As the College developed its operational levels, an emphasis was placed on ways to protect members of the community who were at risk and to prevent a community spread event that might overwhelm our capacity or strain our local hospitals. While there has been a steady number of students with COVID-19 this spring, the vast majority of student cases required no specific medical intervention beyond routine care. The most at risk community members have been able to access vaccines for several months and the entire community has had access for approximately one month.

Effective April 30, weekly positivity rates will no longer be the leading indicator to determine levels of operation. As testing numbers decline, fewer positive cases would trigger deeper restrictions than are necessary to protect the community given the saturation level of vaccinated individuals. The College will revert to Operational Level 1 and remain there through finals. If the percentage of vaccinated students rises to 85%, we will move to Operational Level 0 and stay there for the remainder of the semester.

Current Campus Operational Status: Level 1

Details on Level 2

Students are expected to:

Wear a mask in any building (other than your residence hall room and bathroom) and outside if not fully vaccinated.
Participate in weekly monitoring/surveillance testing if you are not fully vaccinated.
Maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and others you do not share living space with (living space defined as bedroom, suite, apartment—not entire residence hall).
Follow the directions of contact tracers, medical and other staff if asked to isolate or quarantine.
Frequently wash hands and avoid unnecessary physical contact with others.
Not host or attend gatherings larger than the limits established by the College.

Level 0

This represents a very low alert regarding disease transmission with isolated and rapidly contained numbers of cases among the campus community.

Actions

Classes anticipated to be in person do so with appropriate physical distancing.
Dining halls are open for sit-down and to-go meals.
Library buildings are open with reduced capacity in study spaces to ensure social distancing. Access to Skillman Library requires a key fob. Reservations are required to study in the libraries. See the on campus & remote services webpage for a chart of services by campus operational level.
Indoor meetings are limited to 45% capacity of any room using the space analysis conducted in the fall; physical distancing and masks must be worn at all times.
Residence hall cross-visitation (key fob access) is inactive.
Students are permitted to host guests who are enrolled to study from campus and reside in other residence halls or local off-campus residences whether the residence is College owned or privately owned. The total number present may not exceed double the bedroom or suite/apartment occupancy (i.e., in a double, four people can be present) or 10 people, whichever is lower. Masks must be worn and social distancing in place. In rooms where appropriate distancing can’t be maintained no guests are permitted.
In suites/apartments, the maximum occupancy encompasses all areas beyond the suite/apartment door. (For example, students in a four-person suite can have a maximum of eight people in the suite at any time. People in a seven-person suite can have a maximum of 10 people in the suite.)
Maximum-occupancy signs are posted in housing areas where there are specific limitations due to size.
Informal, indoor social gatherings for students are limited to a maximum of 10 people regardless of maximum allowable room occupancy (for example, within the Farinon atrium or a large residence hall lounge, more than one group of 10 students may gather separately). Informal social gatherings are defined as any event for which an approved mitigation plan is not on file with the Office of Student Involvement. In-person social gatherings must follow the guidelines in the COVID-19-Related Addendum to the Student Handbook.
Informal, outdoor social gatherings are limited to 15 people.
Formal in-person gatherings sponsored by student groups may have up to 20 participants. Student organizations must file a mitigation plan with the Office of Student Involvement at least five days prior to the planned event and receive approval beforehand. Student organization operating guidelines will be reassessed every four-five weeks based on changing medical advice, emerging patterns, campus conditions, and transmission rates.
Outside visitors (guests not enrolled at Lafayette) are prohibited inside buildings but may visit outside if physically distanced and wearing masks at all times.
Limited spectators at athletics events are permitted following the spectator guidelines outlined on the Athletics Department website.
Athletics practices and competition are permitted if the Patriot League allows.
Overnight travel for students is permitted. Students who travel overnight must complete this form prior to departure and are required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of return to campus.
Travel within the Lehigh Valley or close proximity that is not overnight (e.g., doctor’s appointments, outdoor activity, visiting family) is permitted without completing the travel request.
Students cross-registered for courses at other LVAIC institutions may attend classes provided they adhere to all physical distancing requirements.
The Arts Campus and Metzgar shuttles operate, adhering to COVID-19 mitigation procedures.

Level 1

This represents a low alert regarding disease transmission with isolated and rapidly contained numbers of cases among the campus community.

Actions

Classes anticipated to be in person do so with appropriate physical distancing.
Dining halls are open for sit-down and to-go meals.
Library buildings are open with reduced capacity in study spaces to ensure social distancing. Access to Skillman Library requires a key fob. Reservations are required to study in the libraries. See the on campus & remote services webpage for a chart of services by campus operational level.
Indoor meetings are limited to 45% capacity of any room using the space analysis conducted in the fall; physical distancing and masks must be worn at all times.
Residence hall cross-visitation (key fob access) is inactive.
Students are permitted to host guests who are enrolled to study from campus and reside in other residence halls or local off-campus residences whether the residence is College owned or privately owned. The total number present may not exceed double the bedroom or suite/apartment occupancy (i.e., in a double, four people can be present) or 10 people, whichever is lower. Masks must be worn and social distancing in place. In rooms where appropriate distancing can’t be maintained no guests are permitted.
In suites/apartments, the maximum occupancy encompasses all areas beyond the suite door. (For example, students in a four-person suite can have a maximum of eight people in the suite at any time. People in a seven-person suite can have a maximum of 10 people in the suite.)
In housing common spaces such as residence hall lounges and building kitchens, maximum occupancy is limited to five people unless otherwise posted. In all areas, students must wear masks and socially distance. Visitors from other buildings are permitted in common areas as guests. There are some common spaces where use is limited to one or two people at a time due to size and inability to physically distance within them (e.g., elevators, small laundry rooms, small kitchens). Signs are posted in areas with specific expectations.
Informal, indoor social gatherings for students are limited to a maximum of 10 people regardless of maximum allowable room occupancy (for example, within the Farinon atrium or a large residence hall lounge, more than one group of 10 students may gather separately). Informal social gatherings are defined as any event for which an approved mitigation plan is not on file with the Office of Student Involvement. In-person social gatherings must follow the guidelines in the COVID-19-Related Addendum to the Student Handbook.
Informal, outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people.
Formal in-person gatherings sponsored by student groups may have up to 20 participants. Student organizations must file a mitigation plan with the Office of Student Involvement at least five days prior to the planned event and receive approval beforehand. Student organization operating guidelines will be reassessed every four-five weeks based on changing medical advice, emerging patterns, campus conditions, and transmission rates.
Outside visitors (guests not enrolled at Lafayette) are prohibited inside buildings but may visit outside if physically distanced and wearing masks at all times.
Athletics practices and competition are permitted if the Patriot League allows.
Limited spectators at athletics events are permitted following the spectator guidelines outlined on the Athletics Department website.
Overnight travel for students is not recommended. Students who travel overnight must complete this form prior to departure and are required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of return to campus.
Travel within the Lehigh Valley or close proximity that is not overnight (e.g., doctor’s appointments, outdoor activity, visiting family) is permitted without completing the travel request.
Students cross-registered for courses at other LVAIC institutions may attend classes provided they adhere to all physical distancing requirements.
The Arts Campus and Metzgar shuttles operate, adhering to COVID-19 mitigation procedures.

Level 2

This represents a moderate alert for disease transmission and includes mitigation activities aimed at containing spread.

Actions

Classes anticipated to be in person do so with appropriate physical distancing.
Dining halls are open for sit-down and to-go meals, but taking meals to go is encouraged.
Library buildings are open with reduced capacity in study spaces to ensure social distancing. Access to Skillman Library requires a key fob. Reservations are required to study in the libraries. See the on campus & remote services webpage or a chart of services by campus operational level.
In-person indoor meetings for student groups are not permitted regardless of size, with the exception of those operated and supervised by the College (e.g., intercollegiate athletics, intramurals, Student Involvement programs, resident adviser programs).
In-person outdoor meetings for student groups may be permissible, but a mitigation plan must be filed and approved with the Office of Student Involvement at least five days prior to the planned event, and the number of students at the event at one time may not exceed 10.
Students may host guests from other residence halls only within their own bedroom and not in gatherings in common spaces. The maximum occupancy per bedroom is twice the normal capacity (two people in a single, four in a double).
In common spaces such as residence hall lounges, students from within the building may gather in groups of no more than five people, wear masks, and socially distance. There are some common spaces where use is limited to one person at a time due to the size of the space and inability to social distance within them (e.g., elevators, small laundry rooms, small kitchens). Signs are posted in areas with specific expectations.
Informal social gatherings for students living in residences other than College-owned and private off-campus housing are limited to those in the building and may not exceed five people.
Informal social gatherings for students living in the McCartney Street Residences housing are limited to those in the immediate residential environment and may not exceed five people.
Informal social gatherings for students in College-owned and private off-campus housing may not exceed five people.
Residence hall cross-visitation (key fob access) is inactive.
Outside visitors (guests not enrolled at Lafayette) are prohibited.
Athletics practices and competition are permitted if the Patriot League allows.
Overnight travel outside Northampton County by students is not recommended, with the exception of those traveling to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or ongoing care from their home provider.
Students traveling to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, receive ongoing care from their home provider or for whom special circumstances arise should fill out this form for approval. Those traveling to get vaccinated should submit a copy of the completed vaccine record to Bailey Health Center.
Students cross-registered for courses at other LVAIC institutions may attend classes provided they adhere to all physical distancing requirements.
The Arts Campus and Metzgar shuttles operate, adhering to COVID-19 mitigation procedures.

Level 3

This represents a very high level of alert regarding disease transmission.

Actions

In-person classes are scaled back to those approved by the provost and whose pedagogical needs require in-person delivery.
Administrative offices remain open, and employees working on campus should continue to report as usual. See additional details for faculty and staff.
Dining transitions to grab-and-go or pre-ordered to-go meals only.
Students are expected to limit contact with others outside their immediate residential area within a building and may not host students from other residence halls/housing areas.
Students may exercise or spend time outdoors.
Library buildings are closed. See the on campus & remote services webpage or a chart of services by campus operational level.
No in-person meetings or social activities.
No overnight travel for students with the exception of those traveling to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or ongoing care from their home provider.
Students traveling to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or ongoing care from their home provider should fill out this form for approval and then submit a copy of the completed vaccine record to Bailey Health Center.
Students may not travel to College-sponsored internships or other off-campus opportunities.
Faculty and staff working on campus may not participate in College-sponsored travel except with specific approval from their division head or the provost.
Students may be restricted from attending in-person classes at other LVAIC institutions.
Arts Campus and Metzgar Shuttles do not operate.
Athletics competitions and practices may not be held without specific authorization from the director of athletics, and events are held on a limited basis.

Level 4

This represents the highest level of alert regarding disease transmission and a deterioration of conditions resulting in a community spread event.

Actions

No in-person instruction is permitted.
No in-person meetings or events are permitted.
All students quarantine in place with the exception of designated periods of time outside for exercise and fresh air. These times will be scheduled between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
Students will be assigned pickup times for meals.
Library buildings are closed. See the on campus & remote services webpage or a chart of services by campus operational level.
No athletic practices or competitions are held.
No bus service is provided to the Arts Campus or Metzgar.