COVID-19 Information

As public health conditions evolve in Ohio and across the globe, Kenyon remains committed to protecting the health of students, employees and visitors, and providing the information and resources that the community needs to make well-informed and responsible choices. The College will continue to work with Knox Public Health (KPH) to interpret and apply guidance from local, state and national authorities, with the primary goal of protecting our campus and its surrounding communities.

Vaccination. Kenyon College believes that the entire campus community is best positioned to remain healthy when everyone is immunized. All students who do not qualify for an individual medical or religious exemption are required to stay up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine and its boosters, and employees are strongly encouraged to do so as well. Returning students are required to submit proof of vaccination by August 10, and prospective students who stay overnight in residences or attend classes must also submit proof of vaccination. The influenza vaccine also is required for students and will be provided on campus at no charge to students when our allocation of this season’s vaccine becomes available later this semester.

Masks. In keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Ohio Department of Health (ODH), masks are not currently required in indoor public spaces for individuals unless they were recently exposed to COVID-19 or have recently recovered from COVID-19. In accordance with the CDC guidance, we strongly recommend indoor masking if Knox County or the campus community are at the “High” COVID-19 Community Level. A limited number of masks will be available in the Campus Safety office in Gund Commons and in Peirce Hall.

Masks may be required in specific bounded private spaces, such as:

Classrooms, studios and laboratories, at the discretion of the instructor.
Offices and conference rooms, at the discretion of the occupant, supervisor or host.
Private student residential spaces, with consensus from all occupants.
Some reception and gathering areas, such as the Cox Health & Counseling Center.

This requirement should be made clear through signage or other communication (download a sign). Visitors are expected to follow that guidance like any other member of the Kenyon community. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask will be supported in doing so, at any time.

Student Testing. Rapid tests are available through the Campus Mail Center in Gund Commons, and PCR tests can be administered at the Cox Center as a component of a medical exam or for travel requirements, when the health center is open. While we strongly encourage everyone to test before coming to campus, entry testing and routine surveillance testing are not required.

Students who test positive are required to email health@kenyon.edu for isolation guidance.

Email health@kenyon.edu

Isolation. Students should follow CDC guidance if they experience symptoms of illness or test positive for COVID-19. Positive test results must be reported to Kenyon’s Health Services, who will issue guidance. Students will isolate within their residential spaces. While in isolation, students should wear a mask at all times in the presence of others, and should not attend classes, participate in athletics or other extracurriculars, gather with friends, or eat in the dining hall (students may enter the building to pick up takeout meals).

Students experiencing financial hardship due to loss of income during isolation or other factors should complete this form.

You may end isolation after 5 days if:

You have no symptoms or symptoms are resolving; AND
You have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.

For five additional days:

Wear a mask at all times around others;
Continue to eat takeout meals; OR
Test negative on two consecutive antigen tests taken 48 hours apart with the first being on day 6 or later.

Precautions After Exposure
If you’ve been exposed and do NOT have symptoms:

You do not need to isolate;
Wear a mask for 10 days;
Test on day 6 (5 days after exposure).

If you’ve been exposed and DO have symptoms:

Test immediately;
Isolate immediately;
Email health@kenyon.edu for isolation guidance.

COVID-19 Case Data & Communications

Kenyon publishes COVID-19 case data on most Mondays during the academic year. Comments and questions help the COVID-19 steering committee refine Kenyon's COVID-19 policies, identify communication gaps, and develop resources to assist the community in navigating evolving conditions. In general, the committee will respond to feedback via FAQs, campus news bulletins, or meetings with student, faculty and staff representatives.