In January, the COVID-19 resource webpage was updated with information related to current vaccination guidance for Taylor students and faculty.
After coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, having a current vaccine does not require quarantining, but wearing a mask for 10 days.
“Current means an individual has received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine within the last 6 months, Johnson & Johnson within the last 2 months or have had a booster,” the site says.
This definition of ‘current’ is new information for students and faculty.
Vaccination and booster walk-in sites are available at Upland Family Pharmacy in the TU Health Center as well as CVS in Gas City and Marion and Meijer in Marion.
According to the Pandemic Response Team (PeRT) update on Feb. 18, COVID-19 cases have declined both on campus and in counties across Indiana. In recent weeks, counties have transitioned from the highest level to a lower level of alert.
As of Feb. 24, there are two students and no faculty member in active isolation for testing positive on campus. 28 students and two faculty members are in active quarantine awaiting results after coming in close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Additionally, on the Taylor COVID-19 webpage, the Dome is listed as a quarantine location for students who have tested positive.
Skip Trudeau, vice president for Student Development, mentioned there were reports of the Dome housing the Boren Art Collection, but the university has since decided to place this collection in the renovated Helena Memorial building. This facility with its full art collection is set to open later this spring semester.
Trudeau also said that since moving the art collection, Taylor has been able to successfully utilize the Dome for COVID-19 related housing.
“I am not aware of the exact numbers but between the Dome and (Haakinson) Hall we were able to accommodate a significant number of students during the COVID pandemic,” Trudeau said. “We are confident we will have adequate space for quarantine as needed, provided that the pandemic continues to abate.”
Many students have spent time in the Dome, especially those who live a distance from Taylor.
Senior Annelise Gonzalez was one of those students who spent time in the Dome from Feb. 3–11 of 2021 during the height of COVID-19 cases on campus. While she feels it was an effective location for students to isolate, there were some things about the Dome that presented difficulties.
“I would say the state of the building was less than ideal,” Gonzalez said. “It was under construction and that ceased when Taylor needed somewhere to put their students. It was not heated at all in February with no functional kitchen to heat up the meals that came along.”
Regardless of some of the facilities, Gonzalez said that she felt fortunate to have a place to stay on campus while testing positive for COVID-19.
Despite being sick, Gonzalez had an overall positive experience in the Dome since she was able to isolate with others who had tested positive.
From family dinners from Greek’s Pizza on Fridays to an infamous visit from a bat, there was never a dull moment for Gonzalez and the group of students in the Dome, she said.
“The Dome was such a fun time,” Gonzalez said. “I know there were some students who did not have a good experience because no one was there with them, but I was fortunately there with my sisters and some close friends from my wing. Every night, we would come out in the common area and play gaga ball or card games. It was like being back at a summer camp, except no one lasted more than 15 minutes because we were all so sick with COVID.”
For now, the Dome will remain a quarantine location as needed for students who test positive for COVID-19 on campus.
