Union College response to COVID-19

What if I'm sick?

It is very important to take symptoms seriously and not interact with others until you know whether or not you have COVID—this applies to both employees and students.

So if you have symptoms that could be COVID, you MUST do the following:

  • Don’t go to class or work.
  • Report your symptoms at ucollege.edu/health
  • Schedule a COVID test right away. 
  • Submit your test results at ucollege.edu/health
  • Stay quarantined in your room or at home until Campus Health (or Human Resources for employees) releases you.

When you report your symptoms, someone will be in touch to make sure you are able to get tested and submit your test results.

Missing class because of being placed in quarantine or isolation will be counted as an excused absence, but you must contact your professors to let them know why you are missing class and arrange to make up coursework.

We believe this is important to the ability of our campus to function. Please takes these rules seriously.

See Union's full COVID policy.

COVID-19 Symptoms
(may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus)

  • 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

How do I  get a COVID test?

Union does not offer on-campus testing. If you need to take a COVID test, you'll need to visit a pharmacy or your health care provider.

Nearby pharmacies

Walgreens and CVS are just a few blocks north of Union on 48th Street. They both offer testing at no cost if you have symptoms. Click the link to learn more from CVS or Walgreens.

What if I test postive for COVID?


If you test positive for COVID-19 (everyone, regardless of vaccination status)
  • Enter Union’s quarantine protocol for 5 days.
  • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after five days, you may be cleared by Campus Health to return to work/classes.
  • Continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.I
    If you have a fever, you will be required to stay in quarantine until your fever resolves.
What if was exposed to someone with COVID?

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you must wear a mask around others for 10 days following the exposure. 

If you develop symptoms, follow Union’s rules for “What to do if I’m sick."

COVID cases at Union

Because case counts on campus have been low, we are not currently reporting daily case counts.

If conditions change, then we may choose to begin reporting daily case counts again in the future.

Current COVID policies

Union will continue to follow CDC guidelines for quarantine and isolation (click here for more info or see below).

If you have questions about Union's COVID policy, please email covid@ucollege.edu

See all messages from President Sauder about COVID-19.

Get vaccinated!

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and ensure Union has a great school year. We're not requiring students to get vaccinated—but we strongly encourage everyone to get the COVID vaccine and ask you to report if you've been vaccinated. When we know how many have been vaccinated, we can make better decisions about what is needed to protect our campus.

Register your vaccination on our voluntary registry at ucollege.edu/health

Need to get vaccinated?

You can find a vaccination site near you and even make an appointment at vaccines.gov

Need a mask consideration?

While a mask mandate is in effect, if you need special consideration for medical reasons, please fill out the form at ucollege.edu/health and include documentation from a physician.

When a mask mandate is not in effect, if a student or professor has a compromised immune system, they may request that everyone in their classes wear masks. .

Request considerations at ucollege.edu/health

COVID-19 resources

If you’d like to learn more about COVID-19, please explore these resources from the Lancaster County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control:

Union's COVID policy

Union has updated the COVID policy for Fall 2022.

CARES Act disclosure


Click here to see the full disclosure on how Union distributed HEERF I, II and III CARES Act funds.