Alumni Events and COVID-19 Safety and Responsibility

Thank you for your interest in an upcoming event sponsored by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. The safety of the Grinnell College community remains our greatest priority. This page reflects our current policies surrounding COVID-19 safety at alumni events. However, we are ever mindful of the shifting landscape around COVID-19 and its variants and are developing contingency plans for alumni events.  We will keep attendees and this page apprised of changes in scheduling, in-person events, and safety precautions.

All alumni events, both on-campus and off-campus, must follow state and local health guidelines, any safety protocols required by the event venue or host, and the guidelines set by Grinnell College. The College will utilize community health conditions to determine the core activities allowed on and off-campus by members of the Grinnell community.

An Iowa state law, House File 889, mandates that no Iowa business or government entity may require patrons to furnish proof of having received a vaccination for COVID-19. In keeping with this legislation, the College does not require proof of vaccination in order to attend attend alumni events, though we strongly encourage attendees to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations before attending. Events held out of state will respect and follow the policies and protocols in place at the state, locale, or venue where the event is being held. 

Given the potential for pandemic-related changes, we reserve the right to cancel a Grinnell College alumni event for any reason. Guests will be notified via email and any refunds will be processed.

Masking

Masks are now optional at all indoor events, except in the following situations:  

  • If experiencing COVID-19 symptoms 
  • If you have recently tested positive and are attending a Grinnell event following 5 full days of isolation (5 days of isolation + 5 days of masking).  

Masks are recommended for:  

  • People who have a known exposure* to a COVID positive individual  
  • People who are high risk   
  • Alumni and their guests to campus from areas/regions of high transmission.

While masks are not required at Grinnell College events, anyone may choose to wear one at any time based on individual preference, perspective, and circumstance. As Grinnellians, please be mindful and respectful of other attendees' choices.

Finally, we strongly encourage participants who choose to mask to wear high quality masks (KN95, N95, or surgical masks, not cloth masks). A supply of these high-quality masks will be available for guests at all alumni events.

* Exposed/Exposure = within 6 feet or less of a confirmed positive for 15 or more minutes cumulative within a 24-hour period and both individuals are unmasked

Reducing the Spread

Grinnell College recommends that all event participants screen themselves for symptoms before attending our events. Symptoms may appear 2 – 14 days after exposure to the virus. If you are experiencing COVID -19 symptoms or are within your first 5 days following a positive test, please do not attend.

The following symptoms are outlined on the CDC Website indicating an individual may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 by:

  • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Personnel must be able to wash their hands after touching any surface/tool suspected of being contaminated, before and after eating or using the restroom, and before touching their face.
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Practicing physical distancing
  • Wearing a mask when indoors
  • Avoiding contact with people who are sick
  • Staying home while sick and avoiding close contact with others
  • Covering your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and immediately disposing of the used tissue