Hofstra University issues news measures for COVID-19 protocols. // Photo Courtesy of Engin Akyhurt

Despite rising COVID-19 rates, Hofstra University has made major changes to its COVID-19 policies regarding isolation.

On Sept. 19, students received an email from Student Health Services (SHS) outlining updated COVID-19 policies. These policies no longer require infected students to isolate in designated COVID-19 housing. Instead, students are expected to isolate in their dorms or homes.

The email advised students to report positive COVID-19 tests on their Medicat portal. Should a student test positive for COVID-19, SHS states that isolation should begin “a minimum of 5 full days after you began feeling sick.” According to the email, students can resume normal activity while wearing a mask for five days following isolation as long as they are fever-free for 24 hours on the fifth day.

“As we cannot verify home or self-testing, images or reports of these tests do not need to be submitted,” the email said. Additionally, it is no longer a requirement to report positive diagnoses to faculty.

Micaela Delgado, a sophomore music business major, had a different experience after testing positive for COVID-19. Delgado tested positive on Sept. 10 after using an at-home test, as she expressed difficulty obtaining a test from SHS.

“SHS did not instruct me whatsoever on what I should do about having COVID-19,” Delgado said.

Expressing concern about her roommate’s safety, she asked SHS if there were any vacant dorms for her to use while she was positive for the disease.

“They said to stay put and hopefully I won’t spread it,” Delgado said.

According to Beth McGuire, the executive director of campus living, Nassau Hall is no longer used for COVID-19 housing. As to whether it will be used for that purpose in the future, “that would be determined by our colleagues in student health and the university administration, in consultation with medical experts,” McGuire said.

Delgado also said that SHS advised her to continue going to public places, such as the student center, for meals. They advised her to try to limit her contact with other students.

As for classes, Delgado was advised to go to classes if she felt comfortable. SHS advised her that she “just had to wear a mask.”

SHS also recommended Delgado to social distance in her dorm. However, Rob Stahl, the executive director of Student Health Services, wrote in a statement that “there is no university requirement, but we expect students to take responsibility and isolate.”

Conversely, sophomore Ella Bandelin recounted that in the spring 2023 semester, she was required to move to a dorm in Nassau Hall after she tested positive. She recalls being housed in isolation for at least five days before she was allowed to return to her dorm in the Netherlands. Last semester, Nassau Hall was reserved for COVID-19 housing.

“They asked about my roommates and if they got [COVID-19],” Bandelin said. “I had to fill out a form and tell them who I was in contact with so [SHS] could contact them.”

Those who were in close proximity with her were contacted by SHS and required to take a COVID-19 test. When they tested positive, they were also required to isolate themselves in Nassau Hall. There, the students were provided with meals and bedding during their stay.

The first significant change in COVID-19 policy was made as early as March 27, when President Susan Poser announced that the school’s policy on COVID-19 vaccination would be changing.

“Effective immediately, the university will not require Hofstra University students, faculty or staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19,” Poser said. “Although we strongly encourage all members of our community to stay up to date on vaccines, COVID-19 numbers remain low, with health experts predicting a continued decline.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, new COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York initially began decreasing in January but have increased since mid-July.