COVID-19 Information for Students & Families

As we continue on-campus education, we all have a part to play in keeping the Bucknell community safe and healthy.

Bucknell strongly encourages students to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition to being vaccinated, the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to avoid being exposed to COVID-19. That's why you should practice everyday preventative actions:

  • Avoid large groups and self-isolate if you're feeling ill.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wear a mask when required.
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces you touch frequently.

By taking these simple steps and following the other rules and policies you'll find here, you're doing your part in helping us rise to this challenge together.

If You Think You Might Have COVID-19

It's important to pay attention to your health and monitor any changes. Symptoms of COVID-19 include: new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, and headache.

Per CDC guidelines, students who test positive should stay away from others until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and are seeing an overall improvement in symptoms. They should continue to practice good respiratory hygiene (covering coughs and sneezes, wearing a well-fitting mask and washing their hands) as well as good environmental hygiene (increasing air circulation and cleaning surfaces) for five days after they resume normal daily activities.

If you test positive for COVID-19 while on campus, whether at Student Health or elsewhere, you should follow the isolation guidelines as above. If you have questions or require medical care, call Student Health at 570-577-1401.

Students isolating may leave their residence hall room to use shared bathroom facilities or to pick up to-go meals from campus dining facilities. They should wear a well-fitting mask while doing so and return directly to their room.

Isolating students should not attend classes. Student Health will notify the appropriate academic dean's office if a student will be out of class for more than three days. Students who are isolating should communicate with their faculty members to ensure the continuation of academic progress.

Face Coverings

As of Jan. 1, 2023, a campus mask mandate will only be imposed when a mask mandate is issued by either the state or the federal government. However, masks may still be required in certain circumstances. Please always have a mask available to you.

Student wearing a mask waving.
  • Masks may still be required by faculty in classrooms and labs, and by others when meeting in private spaces. Individuals will be expected to comply with the requests of faculty or staff in these circumstances, and students who fail to comply may be excused from class.
  • Those who have completed isolation following a case of COVID-19 should continue to wear a mask for five days.

We encourage all members of the campus community to exercise their own judgment regarding individual masking, and to respect the choices of others.

Home Tests

We strongly recommend that you bring a supply of home COVID-19 test kits with you to campus.

If you take a home antigen test and get a positive result while on campus, immediately contact Student Health at 570-577-1401.