Updated December 3

As we move toward the end of the semester and the extended holiday break, it is important to remain diligent in practicing safety measures to avoid spreading COVID-19 to family or friends. Michigan residents are still under a statewide, three-week public health order issued by The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) that began November 18, 2020.

Recently, members of the GVSU Virus Action Team reviewed data from the daily online self-assessment to identify any relationship between symptoms reported and testing positive.

• For individuals testing positive in the GVSU community, the most common symptom was a runny nose or nasal congestion, reported by 76.1% of those who tested positive.
• The next two most common symptoms were “feeling significantly more tired than usual” (59.8%) and a sore throat (47.9%).

December Testing Information:

• Invitations are being sent to students in face-to-face courses (using Banner information), faculty teaching those courses, and staff indicated by appointing officers to be working on campus. (GVSU continues to conduct a handful of face-to-face courses related to training for future health professionals, consistent with current state orders.)
• Invitations are being sent out weekly. Appointments can be made for Monday or Tuesday downtown or Tuesday-Thursday in Allendale. There will be appointment options available late in the day on Wednesdays.
• Individuals who have symptoms or are exposed should use the daily online self-assessment to report, so they can be directed to testing at our separate clinic.
• Data related to the testing program can be found on GVSU's data dashboard.

Continue to STAY SAFE while at home or on campus (CDC guidelines). More information can be found at www.gvsu.edu/lakerstogether.

Questions and concerns
The GVSU COVID call center (616) 331-4636 remains in operation weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Personal health concerns should be directed to the GVSU/Spectrum Health 24-hour call center (833) 734-0020.

Self-Assessment

Creating a safer environment is a shared responsibility among all who come to GVSU and its off-campus partners. The university is encouraging personal responsibility by providing education, supplies, and resources to assist individuals in following public health guidance and university policy.  As part of our work toward a safe environment, a web-based self-assessment (accessed by phone, tablet or computer) is available for faculty, staff and students. 

• Employees must complete a self-assessment on any day they are working on campus.
• Students coming to campus for class or work must complete a self-assessment before coming to campus.
• While not required, it is expected that all members of the GVSU community will complete the self-assessment daily to support efforts to protect the health of the community. It is strongly suggested that the self-assessment be completed before noon.

The daily self-assessment is simple and quick to complete. The self-assessment is the primary means for us to collect daily information – including weekends – about how the virus is affecting the GVSU community, minimize its spread, promote public health and make sound decisions.

Learn how to create an easy-to-use bookmark for the self-assessment on your smartphone.

Self-Assessment

Lakers Together Handbook

Grand Valley has developed a handbook, “Lakers Together Protecting Each Other.” This handbook contains all the decisions we have made to date, and we will update the information as decisions are made and requirements change.

Lakers Together Handbook

Students need your help more now than ever. Please consider a gift to the Student Support Fund.