In preparation for the fall semester, we are sharing important information about health and wellness initiatives on campus, including Covid protocols for the return to school and monkeypox. 

Members of our community may be experiencing uncertainty, anxiety, excitement or more as you get ready to attend in-person classes and campus life. Now is the time to prioritize self-care and wellness by being informed and prepared. KCAI is a small and caring community so I remind all of us to approach this year with grace and empathy for one another. 

Health & Wellness
Several resources are available on campus to support your health and wellness, including the links below. The college will also host multiple campus-wide events focused on health and wellness throughout the academic year.   

Employees

• Login to MyKCAI and visit MyKCAI>Employee Resources>HR

Students

• Visit MyKCAI>Student Resources for information about: 
  • Teladoc – access to board certified physicians for general illnesses and licensed mental health counselors and psychiatrists
  • On-campus counseling services 

Covid Protocols
The college monitors our local Kansas City, Missouri Health Department and the CDC for Covid response guidelines. Based on this information, we determined the following protocols for fall and will adjust our policies as needed. 

Classes

• All courses will be taught in-person. 
• There are no food or drink restrictions, unless specified by the department.
• Field trips and guest speakers are permitted. 

Vaccinations 

• KCAI employees, including students who are working through the work study program, are required to be fully vaccinated. More information can be found in the Covid-19 Vaccination, Testing and Face Covering Policy. 
• KCAI students who are not working on campus are not required to be fully vaccinated; however, we strongly encourage students to be fully vaccinated. 
• New students and students who were vaccinated over the summer, may upload your vaccination card by visiting MyKCAI and follow the instructions. 

Masks

• Masks are optional on campus and in campus buildings, but recommended in the following instances. The campus community will be notified if:
  • Jackson County has a high transmission rate https://www.cdc.gov.
  • There are high transmission rates on campus. 
• Masks are required in the following instances:
  • If you are an employee, including student workers, and are not fully vaccinated 
  • If you have been directly exposed to a positive case 

Reporting your Symptoms, Positive Test, or Exposure to a Positive Case

• Employees: stay off campus and contact hr@kcai.edu for assistance. 
• Students: stay off campus and contact covid@kcai.edu for assistance. 
  • A Covid case manager will conduct interviews to help determine direct exposures, notify instructors if a student will be absent due to exposure, symptoms, or a positive case, and will notify instructors when the student may return to class.
• Symptoms include – Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.

Quarantine and Isolation
KCAI follows CDC guidelines with respect to quarantine and isolation requirements. 

Quarantine

• If you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive, but you have tested negative, and you are up to date on your vaccinations and you are not symptomatic, you are not required to quarantine. Wear a mask for 10 full days when you are around others inside and outside (at home, on campus, and in public). 
• Those who are not up to date on the Covid vaccination and have been directly exposed are required to mask for 10 days, quarantine for 5 days and to test on day 5. 

Isolation

• Those who have tested positive for Covid will be required to isolate for 5 days and wear a mask for 10 days. 
• KCAI has designated an isolation space for residents in campus housing at the Extended Stay America. Meals will be delivered. 

Testing

• For a list of current testing sites, click here. 

Dining

• Wylie Dining and Cafe Nerman will be open to the public.  

Buildings, Visitors, Speakers, and Travel

• The Sherman Family Student Union is open to campus and visitors.
• The Barbara Marshall Residence Hall is open to guests on residential floors. 
• There are no restrictions on events and speakers. Food and drink are permitted. 
• Visitors are welcome, but asked to self-monitor their symptoms and stay away from campus if symptomatic or ill.
• There are no restrictions on travel; however, it is recommended to test 3-5 days upon arrival from international flights. 

Monkeypox
Although Monkeypox is rare, it is important to know the symptoms and what to do if you have symptoms or have been exposed. 

Who can get Monkeypox
Anyone can get monkeypox. It is spread through close contact with someone who has the monkeypox virus and exhibits symptoms. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.

What are the symptoms of Monkeypox
Monkeypox symptoms usually start within 2 weeks of exposure to the virus. 

• Key symptoms include rash, bumps, or blisters. These may appear anywhere on the body, including the face, inside the mouth, hands, feet, chest, torso, genitals, and anus.
• This may look similar to syphilis, herpes, pimples, or other common skin rashes.
• The sores may be painful or itchy. 
• The sores will scab over before healing
• Other symptoms might include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and low energy.
• All or a few of the symptoms may be present. Most will have a rash or sores.

What to do if you believe you have symptoms or have been exposed to Monkeypox

• Call your doctor or call the Kansas City Health Department (816-513-6152) to answer your questions or schedule an appointment AND report to studentaffairs@kcai.edu. Your personal information will be kept confidential, but it is critically important that we know so that we may take necessary steps to help prevent additional exposure and positive cases. 
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact until you have been checked out by a doctor or nurse. This includes kissing, hugging, cuddling, massaging, oral, anal, or vaginal sex or touching.
• Avoid gatherings until you have been checked out by a doctor or nurse.
• Talk to your sexual partner(s) about any recent illness. Ask if they have had any new or unexplained sores or rashes. 

There are effective vaccines for Monkeypox. Health Department nurses and investigators can determine if vaccination is necessary for you or your contacts. Visit KCMO Health Department website for more information. 

I encourage each of you to make your personal health, safety, and wellness a priority, especially this academic year. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon! 

Sincerely,
Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar
Nerman Family President