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Common COVID-19 Questions

COVID Vaccine

Q: Is the vaccine and booster mandatory for faculty, staff and students?

Yes.

Q: If I have received the vaccine already, how do I report it to RFU?

Faculty and Staff should upload their vaccine documentation in ADP following these procedures:

From the home screen, select "Myself" > "Employment" > "My Documents"
On the right side of the screen, select "Upload"
Click to select or drag your document onto the screen.
Change the display name to "Vaccine Document" and select the subcategory "Confidential-Medical Folder,” then "COVID Vaccine" in the drop down menu.
Do not include any effective or expiration dates and select "Save". Your document will be saved in a confidential folder with HR access only.

Contact HR if you have any issues or questions on this process hr@rosalindfranklin.edu.

Students should follow these procedures:

Option 1: If you have already received a complete COVID-19 vaccine series, select YES and upload your documentation of one of the following:

Pfizer BioNTech (2 injections))
Moderna (2 injection)
Johnson & Johnson / Janssen (1 injection)

Option 2: If you are in the process of receiving, or plan to receive, a COVID-19 vaccine series, please wait to complete the requirement in CastleBranch. After you have received a complete series, follow the directions in Option 1.
Option 3: If you do not plan to receive any COVID-19 vaccine, select NO and the requirement will be marked as complete.

Should you have any questions about your CastleBranch or MedProctor account, please do not hesitate to reach out to studenthealth@rfuhs.com.

University Travel

Q: Can I travel within and/or outside the US?

All students, faculty and staff must follow RFU's Travel Guidelines for university-sponsored (i.e., using university funds or university time) travel and for international personal travel.

Approved university-sponsored travel is permitted for domestic travel. University-sponsored travel for international travel is prohibited unless approved according to the Protocol for Exceptions to the RFU Travel Policy.

Q: Whom do I contact with questions?

Students who have questions related to COVID-19 can email student.affairs@rosalindfranklin.edu or call 847-578-8354 Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. If an emergency arises, Campus Safety can always be contacted at 847-578-3288, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can contact a student affairs staff person on call as necessary.

Student Questions

Q: I do not feel well, what should I do?

If you are a student and not feeling well, we encourage you to stay home. If you, or a family member living with you, experience symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath), seek appropriate medical advice and care. Do not attend class or participate in patient care activities. You should stay home and communicate to your academic program acute illness. Please also see the COVID-19 Student Illness report if your symptoms may be COVID-19 related. If you are unsure of your program's acute illness policy please reference your current syllabi or contact your program administrator. Additional questions or excused absence information can be forwarded to student.affairs@rosalindfranklin.edu and the Division of Student Affairs and Inclusion will work with each student to ensure excused absences are communicated to the program as necessary.

Q: I am immunocompromised due to a medical condition and concerned about interaction in classroom and clinical settings, what should I do?

Students who have medical conditions that may warrant further consideration or accommodations based on medical history should contact the ADA Coordinator at ada.coordinator@rosalindfranklin.edu to request academic accommodations related to their classroom or clinical experiences.

Q: I have a report of possible symptoms, possible exposure, a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 for myself or someone I have been in close contact with.

Students should utilize the COVID-19 Student Illness report if they are experiencing symptoms, a possible exposure, or have a suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Students are required to submit this form detailing possible exposure if they have had close contact with someone including immediate family members or residents of their household are experiencing symptoms, suspect, or have a confirmed case of COVID-19. Possible exposure can also include patients at clinical sites. Someone from the Division of Student Affairs and Inclusion will be in contact with you. If any emergency situation arises related to COVID-19, Campus Safety is always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 847-578-3288.

Q: Whom do I contact with questions?

Students who have questions related to COVID-19 can email student.affairs@rosalindfranklin.edu or call 847-578-8354 Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. If an emergency arises, Campus Safety can always be contacted at 847-578-3288 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can contact a student affairs staff person on call as necessary.

Student Housing Questions

Q: Whom do I contact if I need help or have a question?

The Student Housing staff is available to answer questions for you via email at student.housing@rosalindfranklin.edu or via phone at 847-578-8354. You can also can stop by their office in HSB-L.675 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding holidays). The student.housing@rosalindfranklin.edu email account will be monitored throughout evenings and weekends to ensure urgent messages are addressed. As always, Campus Safety is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 847-578-3288. They can address any emergency situations that arise and will contact Student Housing staff if immediate attention is needed.

Q: I’m staying in campus housing and have symptoms of illness. What should I do?

If you, or anyone residing with you, start to experience symptoms, have been exposed, or are diagnosed with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, it is important you adhere to the required reporting for all RFU students by completing the COVID-19 Student Illness Report.

Faculty/Staff Questions

Q: I do not feel well, what should I do?

We encourage you to stay home. If you, or a family member living with you, experience symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath), seek appropriate medical advice and care. Do not come to campus or participate in patient care activities, and communicate your absence with your direct supervisor. Please also see the COVID-19 Faculty/Staff Illness report if your symptoms may be COVID-19 related. Additional questions can be forwarded to hr@rosalindfranklin.edu.

Q: If I am unvaccinated and working from home, am I subject to weekly testing for COVID?

No. Unvaccinated individuals with approved exemptions are no longer required to undergo weekly testing, but must continue to wear masks in all spaces if they do come to campus.

Q: Why is the university asking faculty and staff for their vaccination information?

Employers have a duty of care under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to provide a safe workplace for employees. To fulfill the duty of care, an employer can mandate vaccination against COVID-19 and require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 subject to the EEOC guidelines related to medical or religious exemptions. If an employer asks an employee to provide proof of vaccination, that is not a HIPAA violation.

Q: If I have to self-quarantine or stay home due to an illness (including COVID-19),will I be paid? What if I'm staying home to care for an ill spouse or child?

The following options are available in order to receive pay:

Work from home with supervisory approval
If you cannot do your job remotely, the university will pay you for your time off without requiring you to use sick leave.

Q: Should I notify Human Resources that I or one of my direct reports called in sick or was sent home with symptoms of COVID-19? RFUMS is obligated to provide a safe workplace and may take necessary and reasonable steps to minimize health risks for its employees, such as requiring that employees not come to work if they have COVID-19. Employees with COVID symptoms should be instructed to complete an Illness Form, and Human Resources will follow up with reporting employees to gather more information. Questions can be directed to human resources by emailing hr@rosalindfranklin.edu. Notifications to HR are only needed for cases related to COVID-19.

Q: Similarly, is an employee prohibited from coming to work if known to have contracted COVID-19 themselves, or to have had close contact with someone who has?

If an employee has had very close contact with a person who has COVID-19 (such as living in the same household), the employee should complete an Illness Form to report the exposure. Employees should review the list of COVID symptoms, stay home if COVID-19 symptoms develop, update their COVID-19 Faculty/Staff Illness Report, and go home immediately if COVID-19 symptoms occur at work.

Q: Should a supervisor require an employee who is out sick (not due to COVID-19) to provide a health care provider’s note?

No. Managers should actively encourage sick employees to stay home, but should not require employees who are sick to validate their illness. If necessary, Human Resources may reach out to the employee directly for more information. Health care provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.

Q: Can I travel within the US?

All students, faculty and staff must follow RFU's Travel Guidelines for university-sponsored (i.e., using university funds or university time) travel and for international personal travel.

Q: Can I travel outside the US?

All students, faculty and staff must follow RFU's Travel Guidelines for university-sponsored (i.e., using university funds or university time) travel and for international personal travel.

Q: Does FMLA apply if I contract COVID-19? Does FMLA apply if my spouse or child contracts COVID-19, and I must stay home to care for them?

An employee who is sick may be entitled to leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in certain circumstances. Some instances of COVID-19 may qualify as a “serious health condition.”

For information relating to FMLA, please contact the HR Benefits Administrator at 847-578-8756.

Q: Does RFUMS grant leave to an employee who is sick with COVID-19?

Employees who contract COVID will be granted time off without using their sick or vacation time. They will be paid as if they worked, and do not need to record this time on their time cards. Employees who are ill with COVID-19 should remain at home until cleared by HR to return to work.

Q: When can I return to work if I have had influenza or another contagious illness?

The current message from health care providers and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is to stay home and do not return to work until you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Always follow the recommendations of a medical professional.

Q: Whom should I contact if I have a question?

To ask a question about these work policies, email hr@rosalindfranklin.edu.

RFU Health Clinics Questions

Q: Are the clinics open?

Yes, the Health Clinics are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. by appointment only. Our providers and staff remain committed to maintaining continuity of care and helping patients meet their healthcare needs.

Q: Is RFUHC offering COVID-19 testing?

Yes, the RFU Health Clinics offers appointment-only COVID-19 PCR testing. Read more at the Health Clinics site.

Q: Who is eligible to receive COVID-19 testing at RFUHC?

Testing for COVID-19 is available for anyone. All students, faculty and staff are eligible for testing, whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic. The test is covered by all accepted insurance companies, or is free for anyone without insurance coverage.

Q: What safety measures are in place to protect patients and medical staff at the clinics?

We continue to monitor and follow recommendations from the CDC and our local health department. To further protect the health of our patients, workforce and community, and prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, we are temporarily limiting entry to RFU Health Clinics facilities to main entrances only. Anyone exhibiting symptoms of cough, shortness of breath and/or fever of 100.4⁰ F or higher will be placed in an exam room and evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Q: Are counseling services available for RFU students?

Yes. Your safety and well-being is our main priority amidst the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and we will continue to offer support and resources. Counseling services are free for all currently enrolled students. Please continue to call the Student Counseling Service on our confidential voicemail at 847-578-8723 and always leave a message, or email us at our confidential email. Sessions may be conducted via telepsychology or in person visits based on the needs of the student and current COVID restrictions.

Student Counseling Service continues to offer walk-ins from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday to serve students in crisis*, should you be able to physically come to the Health Clinics. You will be screened at the entrance of the clinic in accordance with current CDC guidelines. If you are unable to physically come to the clinic, you are encouraged to call the Student Counseling Service at 847-578-8723 in order to speak with a healthcare professional.

*Students are encouraged to take advantage of one of the following crisis service options, in the case that Student Counseling Service is not open or after hours:

Dial 988 to be connected to the already existing network of crisis centers across the country.
National Crisis Hotline at 800-748-2433.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
On campus: RFU Campus Security can be reached at 847-578-3288, or by dialing 3288 from any campus phone.

Additional resources are available on the Student Counseling Service webpage.

Q: I'm an RFU student and I need to make sure I remain compliant with my immunization requirements. Can the Health Clinics still help me?

Yes. We recognize that many of our students must still meet certain immunization requirements within a particular time frame. Please call 847-473-4357 and clinic staff will be happy to assist you.

Q: Does RFUHC still serve as a clinical rotation site for RFU students?

Yes, RFUHC is still a clinical rotation site for podiatry and medical students. All students participating in clinical experiences in the health clinic are required to wear masks and follow safety protocols within the health clinics. Some clinical experiences may be conducted utilizing telehealth services and others may be in person depending on the service and current COVID restrictions.