Dear Dartmouth community members,
As we move through flu season and continue to see other respiratory illnesses circulate, we want to share important guidance to help protect your health and the well-being of those around you. Staying home when you are sick and taking simple precautions when symptoms arise are among the most effective ways to keep our community healthy.
If you are feeling unwell and need medical care or guidance, students can visit the Student Health Service at Dick’s House. Faculty and staff can contact their primary care provider. If you need a primary care provider, the One Medical at Dartmouth Primary Care Practice is accepting new patients for those who are eligible.
Vaccination remains one of the best ways to reduce the risk of serious illness, and flu vaccines are still available at Dick’s House and local retail pharmacies.
Students
Please do not come to class if:
- You have a fever higher than 100.4°F.
- Your symptoms are so severe that they prevent you from washing your hands, wearing a mask, or safely performing your responsibilities.
- You have tested positive for COVID-19, flu, or strep throat.
You may return when:
- You have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- In the case of strep throat, you have taken antibiotics for at least 24 hours.
- Your symptoms have improved enough to allow you to wear a mask continuously, wash your hands regularly, and safely perform your responsibilities.
If you are too sick to attend class, please take the following steps:
- Contact your professor as soon as possible by email. If they ask for medical documentation, share that Dick’s House does not provide confirmation of visits or illnesses. In your email, ask how to make up any missed work.
- Be aware of the attendance policy for each course
- When you are able, ask classmates to review course information you missed. Attend your professor’s office hours to clarify or address any gaps in your understanding.
Faculty and Staff
If you are feeling ill, you are encouraged to take precautionary steps and use available paid time off or request flexibility from your supervisor. If you have questions about time away from work, contact your HR Business Partner.
These shared practices help reduce the spread of illness and reflect our collective responsibility to care for one another. Thank you for doing your part to keep our campus healthy.
Sincerely,
Estevan Garcia
Chief Health and Wellness Officer
Mark Reed
Director, Dartmouth Student Health Services