Posted March 24, 2021 by Wheaton College Parent Engagement
Tags: Parent Announcements
Parents,
The message below was sent to students earlier today.
Dear Students,
You can now receive vaccines in DuPage County, and the State of Illinois recently announced that it plans to open the COVID-19 vaccine to any resident age 16 and up. We are also pleased to hear reports of increased availability through primary care physicians, Walgreens, and state and county vaccination locations. To obtain more information about being vaccinated, please contact your doctor’s office, create an account on the Walgreen’s website, and/or register with DuPage County (or your county of residence).
Vaccination is currently not required by the College, but we strongly encourage students and all faculty and staff to obtain the vaccine as soon as possible to protect against COVID-19 and decrease the risk of community spread. Please see the short video above of President Ryken having a brief discussion on the importance of the vaccine with Wheaton College employee Corrine Rectenwald, who serves as community partnership coordinator in our department of Health Professions.
The College will continue to follow all State of Illinois protocols regarding mandatory masking and distancing, regardless of vaccination status, until further notice.
If you experience any vaccine side effects (fever, fatigue, body aches, tenderness at injection site, etc.) in the 48 hours following your vaccine, there is no need to isolate. If symptoms persist beyond two days, please contact Student Health Services.
If you are participating in the weekly testing program, continuing with this regimen is optional, two weeks after your final vaccination. You can be removed from the testing protocol by sending a copy of your completed vaccination card to covid.test@wheston.edu. Receiving the vaccination will not alter your test results.
COVID Student Feedback Group
In response to proposals from Student Government and Resident Assistants, the COVID-19 Team formed a COVID Student Feedback Group. Two students representing the Conservatory, two students representing Residence Life, one student representing ROTC, one student representing Multicultural Development and three students representing different parts of campus life meet every other week with several members of the COVID-19 Team to discuss concerns, ask questions, and give feedback. Representatives from significant areas of student involvement were invited. Students who want their concerns, questions and feedback represented by the COVID Student Feedback Group to the COVID-19 Team may e-mail Student.Government@wheaton.edu.
We are very thankful for the Lord’s provisions for our campus and your diligence in helping us maintain the “Wheaton Bubble” thus far this academic year. Praying for a successful finish to this “unprecedented” year!
Grace and peace,
COVID-19 Leadership Team