The registration process for Spring 2022 has commenced. Please note that a number of updates for course location and mode of instruction are still in process. As the Office of the Registrar continues to receive updates from the various schools and colleges, we will be making those changes in real time. As we have previously communicated, the default mode of instruction for Spring 2022 courses is face-to-face instruction. This will be increasingly reflected in the course selections and availability.

Our community of students, faculty and staff have partnered to provide as safe an environment on campus as we can. As an update regarding the COVID-19 vaccination status of students, 100 percent of students living in on-campus housing, and nearly 99 percent of all registered students, have provided evidence of being fully vaccinated. In summary, over 11,800 students have provided evidence of vaccination, have an approved exemption or are taking courses online.

Nearly 2,000 employees have uploaded vaccination documentation into Workday. We will be contacting employees directly who have not yet uploaded their vaccination records to assure compliance with the requirement.

Similar to trends regionally and across the country, the number of positive COVID-19 tests on campus has declined for the fifth consecutive week, as there were only five positive test results for the week ending October 29, 2021 (https://howard.edu/pandemic-response/testing-dashboard). This is significantly encouraging as we did not observe any spikes in COVID-19 cases following Homecoming week.

Additionally, the most recent weekly testing data indicate a campus positivity rate of 0.14 percent, compared to a rate of 1.2 percent in the District of Columbia. If we continue to maintain a low positivity, this will allow a decrease in the frequency of testing for all vaccinated individuals. Individuals with exemptions will continue to be tested on a weekly basis. Masks and face coverings will continue to be required indoors, and in groups settings outdoors, until further notice. We must continue to remain vigilant as Winter and flu season remain a concern.

Assuring that all eligible members of our community are vaccinated, and complying with the public health protocols, is the surest way to protect the health of the Howard University community and provide as safe an environment as possible. The COVID-19 vaccines have been demonstrated to significantly decrease the risk of transmission of COVID-19, considerably reduce the likelihood of hospitalization if someone is infected, and significantly decrease the risk of death secondary to COVID-19 by over 90 percent.

The University continues to provide free COVID-19 vaccinations at the Howard University Hospital Vaccination Clinic located in the lobby of the Howard University Hospital building between 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. No appointments are necessary.

Your health and safety remain our priority, and we will continue to do all we can to provide a safe environment for everyone.