As the S&B has encountered in our own coverage, the College’s policies and numbers surrounding COVID-19 change constantly and can be difficult to navigate on the Grinnell College website. The S&B will update this page every Friday based on changes in campus protocols and new numbers.
Below are Grinnell Colleges COVID protocols, updated as of April 15:
Campus is currently at a modified blue activity level.
Current Numbers
Spring Semester Cases:
259 Students
27 Employees
Weekly Numbers (starting March 27):
March 27 – April 2: 3 cases
April 3 – April 9: 11 cases
April 10 – April 16: 36 cases
Masking Requirements
Masks are required while indoors in community spaces, with few exceptions:
-While actively eating
-Faculty, staff, and students may unmask while alone in closed spaces
-Students may unmask while in their residence hall room
Student, faculty, and staff are required to use N95, KN95, or KF94 masks. Visitors may use other options. Masks for students are available for students in the student affairs office on the third floor of the Joe Rosenfield Center.
Vaccination Requirements
Students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated and to have received the booster. Students should put any relevant vaccine and testing information on their Student Health and Wellness (SHAW) portal.
Those who are eligible may receive the fourth dose of the vaccine, although it is not currently required.
Procedure for Testing
Students were tested twice upon arrival to campus. Any student who had COVID within the past 90 days was exempt from testing so long as they uploaded proof of a previous positive test to their SHAW portal.
Students who feel mild symptoms can utilize SHAW’s walk-in testing clinic, open Monday-Friday 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Students experiencing severe symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive should call SHAW (641-269-3230). The college defines contact as “15 minutes or more cumulatively in 24 hours at less than 6 feet while unmasked.” Those who would like a PCR test may request a Test Iowa Kit.
Procedure for Positive Cases
Students who test positive will be isolated in college residences for the CDC recommended five days. Due to volume of cases, some have been isolated in their residence hall. Students should take note of bathrooms that are designated for use by COVID-positive residents only.
For additional information and resources, consult the college’s official COVID-19 Dashboard.
