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Coronavirus
(COVID-19)

Information Center

Student Social Contract

Last Updated:

The university is implementing a series of protocols related to safety and academic integrity that students must adhere to, whether they are going to be studying remotely or on campus.

All students, therefore, must agree to the follow the below Code of Conduct, which can be read below. Students will formally agree to the below terms when they complete their return-to-campus training. 

Community Member Acceptance of Expectations

Lehigh University is committed to providing our community members a healthy and safe educational and social environment in which learning can occur. COVID-19 represents a challenge to our campus, our surrounding Bethlehem community, and our country as a whole. The circumstances around COVID-19 require at least a temporary reimagining of a traditional residential college experience. As a community, we must accept and commit to a new set of expectations designed to promote the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and South Bethlehem neighbors.  

Whether living on campus or off, all who are enrolled in Lehigh coursework are considered students, and are expected to uphold the Lehigh University Code of Conduct. The following expectations align with Article III, Section 2: Respect for Others, which states, “Lehigh University expects that all students will act in a civil manner that reflects maturity, social responsibility, and respect towards others and the Lehigh Community” and Article III, Section 4: Respect for Community, which states, “As members of the Lehigh University Community, students are expected to serve as ethical representatives. They are expected to know and follow the Code of Conduct, and show respect for the faculty, staff, community members and administrative processes that are in place to maintain and support our community standards.  Students are expected to hold themselves and others accountable and report violations of the Code of Conduct or other violations to the University.”

By providing acknowledgement that you have read, understand and agree to uphold the standards outlined in this document, you agree to uphold both the existing standards noted in the Code of Conduct and the items noted below, which pertain to the exceptional circumstances surrounding COVID-19 and our community-wide commitments to supporting one another’s health and safety. You also acknowledge that the failure to uphold any of the standards outlined in this document may be a violation of the Code of Conduct, and may result in disciplinary action up to and including being asked to leave campus, suspension or expulsion.

All students must commit to upholding the following expectations.

Before returning to campus, I will:

  1. Complete the Student Return to Campus training.  The training will be sent to students via email and will be accessible through Course Site.  Students will not be permitted on campus until the training is successfully completed.  
  2. Carefully monitor my health for 14 days prior to coming to campus.  I will quarantine for 14 days before coming to campus if coming from a state Pennsylvania includes on this list of high risk areas. This list may have states added or removed as we approach the start of the semester; any changes will apply and should be followed. We are requiring students to have completed the quarantine before returning to campus. Students are not permitted to quarantine in a state listed by Pennsylvania as being a hotspot.

    If I am experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, I will not return to campus and will consult with my physician to determine whether COVID-19 testing is advised and when travel is permitted.  If I have a COVID-19 diagnosis, I will contact the Health and Wellness Center (610-758-3870; inluhc@lehigh.edu) for clearance for return to campus.  
  3. Participate in re-entry testing for COVID-19 before coming to campus.  
  4. For students living on campus: Move into my room at the time scheduled with Housing Services.
  5. For students living off campus: Provide Lehigh University with an accurate local address, cell phone number, and other required contact information. Students can submit contact information by clicking this link and logging into Banner.  If this information changes, I will update with new information in Banner.

While on-campus or in adjacent off-campus environment, I will:

  1. Participate in testing as required, as well as symptom monitoring, symptom reporting, and health verification on a daily basis as required by Lehigh University.
  2. Complete a daily self-screening using the COVID-19 Self-assessment tool, available through Hawkwatch, before accessing the Lehigh campus. 
  3. Follow Health & Safety protocols in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 including:
    1. Properly wearing cloth face coverings. Any employee, student or visitor entering a University building must wear a cloth face covering to minimize risk to other building occupants and the Lehigh community. On the Lehigh campus, face coverings are required to be worn in any public area, and in any circumstance where interacting with others on campus. At Lehigh, we consider this to include all of our buildings as well as outdoor spaces such as campus walkways, where social distancing is not possible.

      For students living in the residence halls, cloth face coverings need to be worn at all times in the residence halls except when in a private room, in common bathrooms when brushing teeth, washing your face, or showering. (Note: in private rooms, cloth face coverings should be worn at any time when visiting hallmates or staff are present).

      More information:
      Help Stop the Spread (Pennsylvania DOH)
      Use Cloth Face Coverings (CDC)
      Homemade Mask Guidance (Pennsylvania DOH)
    2. Observe physical distancing. Community members are required to maintain a minimum physical distance of at least 6 feet from other persons whenever possible.  A face covering is not a substitute for social distancing. Everyone should still be striving to maintain a six-foot distance between each other at all times.
    3. Wash my hands. Community members are required to wash their hands multiple times throughout the day and are responsible for cleaning areas where they are working or spending time on a regular basis.
    4. Stay home when sick. Community members are required to stay home when feeling sick and request testing if symptoms match those of COVID-19.
  4. Carry my Lehigh University ID card at all times and display as requested.  ID cards will be necessary for access to campus buildings.  
  5. Follow Health & Safety protocols regarding guests, including:
    1. Not inviting off campus guests, including students studying remotely, to campus.
    2. For residential students: Following all guidelines about residential guests in my hall. 
  6. Limit the size and scope of events to comply with COVID-19-related expectations.  
    1. On Campus: Planned events must be limited in size according to the occupancy limitations of specific outside areas and campus facilities. To encourage full community access to events, we encourage all student groups to prioritize virtual programming options.  Student clubs and organizations will have very limited access to reserve space on campus to host events, programs, meetings, or gatherings. All student group event reservations must be submitted through the Event Planning Form in LINC and must be approved by the Campus Event Advisory Group, in consultation with the COVID Response Team.
    2. Off Campus: Students must limit the size of off campus social gatherings to no more than 5 people (updated 10/2/20) and follow proper health protocols, including social distancing and wearing face coverings. (The limit includes residents of the particular space.)
    3. Students should physically distance during social interactions and avoid congregating in large groups, such as at parties, bars, or other social gatherings, which have been shown to spread the virus. This is the expectation for both on-campus and off-campus students, and is critical for keeping our neighbors in our campus community, and also in the greater Bethlehem community, safe. Acting in a way that compromises the safety of others or failure to abide by the Student Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action up to and including being asked to leave campus, suspension or expulsion.
  7. Avoid all non-essential travel out of the immediate area and adhere to the university’s prohibition against inviting guests to your residence or to campus.  For students who must travel, consult with the University Health and Wellness Center about any related quarantine requirements. Since quarantine requirements may change quickly, we recommend reviewing quarantine requirements both before leaving and prior to returning.
  8. Follow all instructions for on-campus dining.
  9. Follow the instructions given by faculty and staff regarding COVID-19 restrictions in a courteous and professional manner.
  10. Raise concerns about community members failing to meet expectations in an appropriate and caring manner.  Concerns can be reported through this linked COVID-19 Behavior Expectation Reporting Form, which is also available directly at lehigh.edu/go/covidreporting.
  11. Comply with all University policies, rules and procedures related to COVID-19, as modified and updated from time to time.  Although the University will take reasonable steps to advise students of modifications and updates, it is my responsibility to ensure that I am aware of the most current University policies, rules and procedures related to COVID-19.

While Participating in Remote Learning, I Will:

  1. If I have opted into “fully remote” learning, I will not visit campus, with the exception of the Health and Wellness Center if needed.  
  2. Continue practicing academic practices that are built on honesty and integrity.