Bulldog Athletics Frequently Asked Questions
January 7, 2022
As you know, the COVID pandemic continues to evolve and the Omicron variant is proving to be very challenging, so as you return to campus in the next week or two, we want to share the latest information about your student-athlete experience. CDC, NCAA, state, country, and local guidance and recommendations continue to change, which means the information and decisions we share are based solely on the current status of the pandemic and are all subject to change.
BULLDOG STUDENT-ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS
The University of Redlands remains committed to providing a meaningful intercollegiate athletics experience for all Bulldog student-athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining the health, safety, and wellness of all involved. There continue to be many factors associated with the pandemic that are out of our control. It is important to direct all our efforts towards what we can control and that includes our own decisions and actions. We must continue our “together we get through this” attitude and maintain standards and practices that ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all. Bulldog student-athletes will be required to meet and maintain, without exception, all of the expectations outlined in the Code of Community Standards, supplemental expectations in place as a result of COVID-19, as well as the expectations that come with your participation and commitment as a Bulldog student-athlete.
Beginning Sunday, January 2, 2022, you should have received multiple University Announcements and Messages from the Dean via email. Please use the embedded links above to find your way to the Redlands.edu website where all these communications are stored and make sure to familiarize yourself with them ASAP. The testing and vaccine requirements are time-sensitive, so it is imperative that you read and follow them without exception.
As you will recall, we had a tremendously successful, fall sport season with relatively few COVID-19 interruptions. However, the current Omicron variant is highly contagious and the only way we will experience similar success this spring is to continue our same shared commitment, trust, and accountability for each other. Never lose sight of the fact that the decisions you make regarding COVID-19 impact not only you and your family, but also your teammates, coaches, support staff, and even your opponents.
We continue to prepare for your return to campus in the next 7 – 10 days and a return to the Bulldog student-athlete experience. To that end, we have done our best to provide answers to the most frequently asked questions.
RETURN TO CAMPUS, HOUSING, AND DINING
When should I return to campus?
With the move to online classes during the week of January 10 – 14, you can adjust your return to campus date as you deem appropriate. However, please be mindful that you will need to report a negative test result at least three days following your return to campus before you can participate in any athletics team activities. What that means for each sport season is the following:
- Winter sports – they have already returned and are adhering to a regular testing schedule
- Fall sports – you may return anytime between January 9, 2022, and the first day of in-person classes, currently scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
- Spring sports – your latest arrival date will be determined by your first date of practice. For those spring sports who do not begin practice until the week of January 24th, you can return as late as January 17th and then test on January 20th or 21st in order to begin practice as scheduled. For the spring sports that will start practice on January 19th, you will need to be back on campus no later than January 15th so you can test on the 18th and practice once you have obtained the negative results.
- Please check with your respective coaching staff if you are uncertain about your first day of practice.
Will I have to quarantine upon my return to Redlands?
No, as of now, there is no quarantine requirement. However, please be mindful of the expectation to present a professionally administered, negative COVID test during the three-to-five-day window following your return to campus.
What should I expect from the dining services?
Harvest Table is a valuable university partner and, like so many others across our campus, they are working to return as close to the pre-pandemic services as possible. During the first week of classes, perhaps a bit longer, the dining services will all be grab-and-go style. There may also be some capacity limitations as we work back towards indoor seating in The Table and other venues.
VACCINATION, TESTING, AND RETURN TO PLAY
What does it mean to be fully vaccinated?
With the booster readily available, the term fully vaccinated now refers to individuals who have received one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and have received a booster at least two months later. For those who received the Pfizer vaccine, they must receive the booster at least five months after the second Pfizer dose to be considered fully vaccinated, and for those who received the Moderna vaccine, they must receive the booster at least six months after the second Moderna dose to be considered fully vaccinated.
Do I need to be fully vaccinated to participate in athletics?
Yes, unless you have been exempted. The booster is now required by the institution and the expectation is that once you are eligible to receive the booster, that you will do so. The same is the case for Bulldog Athletics. The expectation to continue participating is that you will be fully vaccinated (including a booster when eligible) or exempted from the vaccine by the institution.
As a student-athlete at the University of Redlands, will I be tested regularly for COVID-19?
Yes, for the foreseeable future, all participating student-athletes, regardless of vaccine status, will test regularly. Please see below for your sport-specific testing protocol.
- Winter and spring sport student-athletes who are exempted from the vaccine or not yet “boosted” will be required to test twice per week during their sport season.
- Fully vaccinated (including booster) winter and spring sport student-athletes will be required to test once per week during their sport season. The one exception to this is indoor sport student-athletes (basketball and volleyball), who will test twice per week regardless of their vaccine status.
- Fall sport student-athletes exempted from the vaccine or not yet “boosted” will be required to test twice per week beginning one week prior to the start of the non-traditional season and continuing through the full course of their non-traditional sport season.
- Fully vaccinated (including booster) fall sport student-athletes will be required to test once per week beginning one week prior to the start of the non-traditional season and continuing through the full course of their non-traditional sport season.
Will there still be a COVID-19 testing site on campus?
Yes, the County of San Bernardino continues to operate a free, PCR testing site in UHall on our campus. Appointments should be made utilizing the UR Ready app. Please know that right now all testing sites are running at full capacity and testing a significant number of people each day. We are hopeful those lines will shorten and the turnaround time for results will improve, as we move away from the holidays and the Omicron variant peaks and then dissipates.
How far in advance should I schedule my testing appointment?
You are encouraged to schedule your weekly testing appointment(s) as soon as the appointments are available. Currently, the county testing website only schedules for the current week, Monday through Friday. The following week’s appointment schedule is typically posted sometime between Thursday evening and Saturday morning. For example, if you need to test on Wednesday of next week, you should make that appointment as soon as the testing schedule for next week becomes available, sometime between Thursday evening and Saturday morning of the current week.
What if there are no testing appointments available at the UHall site for a time that works in my schedule?
The key to being able to test at the UHall site with an appointment is to have a QR code for that specific day, no matter what time. If UHall is fully booked for your preferred time, choose an appointment for the same day (any time works), and make an appointment. That will put you into the county testing site system for that day and you can use the QR code for admission at the UHall site.
What if there are no appointments available at UHall?
In the case of no appointments available on campus, you may use any other testing site in the area. Bulldog Athletics is working to secure some additional testing kits that can be administered by our athletic training staff or other department staff members. We will accept take-home tests, if necessary, but again, would ask that the test be conducted under the supervision of our AT staff or department personnel.
Will I be able to participate as a student-athlete if I am not vaccinated?
Yes, but only if you have completed the institution’s “exemption” process. As noted previously, there will be different testing protocols for unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated student-athletes. They are also required to always follow the institution’s protocols for unvaccinated students.
Will student-athletes be required to complete daily health or symptom checks in order to participate?
Only those student-athletes who are exempted from the vaccine will be required to complete the daily health assessment on the UR Ready app prior to their arrival on campus for each day prior to practice and competition.
What if I am uncomfortable practicing with my team?
The first week of spring sport practices will be limited to individual and small groups working out together in order to keep everyone safe and help ease some anxiety for everyone. Once we have moved to full team practices and competition and you remain uncomfortable or have concerns you would like to share, please speak directly to your coaching staff about alternatives. If you are not comfortable doing that, please feel free to reach out to the Athletic Training staff, Rachel Roche, Associate Director of Athletics, or Jeff Martinez, Director of Athletics.
What do I do if I am experiencing COVID–19 symptoms?
Student-athletes who are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms (whether fully vaccinated or not) are expected to remain in their residence and notify the athletic training staff, their respective head coach, and complete the UR Ready Reporting Form immediately. Individuals will be contacted by the athletic training staff and assigned a Case Manager, who will provide additional information and next steps within 24-36 hours.
What if I test positive for COVID-19 during my student-athlete experience?
Any student-athlete who tests positive for COVID-19 at any time during the upcoming spring 2022 semester would immediately isolate and be placed into the University of Redlands protocols for contact tracing and positive COVID-19 test results. This process may or may not impact the team or individual members of the team, once contact tracing has been completed.
How long will I be away from my team and physical activity if I test positive?
Any student-athlete who tests positive for COVID-19 at any time during the upcoming spring 2022 semester should expect to be out of full practice and competition for a minimum of 10 - 12 days, based on the current protocols. Some protocols are changing, and each individual case is different. The length of time you will be away from your team and full participation will depend on the severity and length of your symptoms. Each student-athlete's return-to-play protocols will also vary. Although managing a positive test result will be challenging, it is in the best interest of each student-athlete and every team to remain diligent and patient when following the prescribed protocols.
What if I am a close contact to someone who tested positive for COVID-19? Is this different if I am fully vaccinated (with a booster) or not?
There will be a quarantine & isolation time for close contacts of COVID-19, but the length of the close contact quarantine is somewhat dependent upon your test results and whether you have any symptoms. If you remain symptom-free and test negative, you should be able to return to your team after five (5) days. And yes, the Q & I requirements for fully vaccinated (with a booster) individuals will be less restrictive than for non-vaccinated/exempted individuals.
SERVICES, FACILITIES, AND EQUIPMENT
Will student-athletes have access to Athletic Training services?
Yes, but access to our Athletic Training Rooms and services will continue to have some limitations. There will be limitations as to the number of people permitted in the Athletic Training Rooms at any given time. Please remember the Athletic Training Rooms are considered “health-care facilities.” Therefore, face coverings, social distancing, and hand-washing requirements will be strictly enforced at all times for everyone (fully vaccinated or not) entering the facility.
Will teams have access to Strength and Conditioning facilities?
Yes, the current guidance and operational plan allow us to utilize both the Bone Yard (an outdoor facility under Ted Runner Stadium) and the Fitness Center for strength and conditioning training activities once we can staff the Fitness Center appropriately. For the foreseeable future, all student-athletes will be expected to always wear a face covering when inside the Fitness Center and while utilizing the Boneyard, regardless of their vaccination status.
Will teams have access to locker rooms?
Yes, we do plan to move forward with regular use of locker rooms, but face coverings should be worn in locker rooms. We also ask that you limit your time in the locker room with your teammates.
Will Bulldog Athletics continue to launder my practice gear and game uniforms?
Yes, at this time we plan to return to the daily practice gear, laundry service, as well as game uniform laundry for all teams that would normally have that service.
TEAM ACTIVITIES, PRACTICE, AND COMPETITION
What will competition schedules look like?
We are planning to have as close to normal competition schedules as possible. It should be noted the SCIAC basketball schedules have been significantly impacted during early January. However, the full SCIAC schedules are back in place for swim and dive, as well as all spring sports. The schedules are posted on www.goredlands.com.
Will my team be eligible and able to compete for SCIAC and NCAA Championships?
Yes, that is certainly our hope and commitment. Presently, we believe the postseason opportunities, both SCIAC and NCAA, will return to a pre-pandemic state provided the financial resources are available.
Will there be fans in the stands for my competitions?
Presently, we will not permit fans in the stands for basketball but remain hopeful that will change before the season concludes in late February. We plan to have fans in the stands at the outside venues for swim and dive and the spring sports, but exactly what that looks like remains to be decided. We must be mindful that every sport and every venue is different. Additionally, each institution will make that decision based not only on their facility and staffing but also on the current status of the pandemic, their vaccination policy, and local guidance. We will continue to keep the health, safety, and welfare of our student-athletes at the highest priority and abide by all CDC, state, county, and local guidance.
What about team travel during the spring?
As of today, the competition schedules, including travel, remain for the spring sport teams.
Do I have to wear a face covering while training?
The answer to this depends a bit on the sport, the activity, and the status of the pandemic. Everyone will need to wear a mask for all training that takes place in the Boneyard, the Fitness Center, and indoors (Currier and Rec Gym). You are always encouraged to wear a mask and should feel free to do so during any of your workouts, but at this time they are only required as noted above.
What types of team meetings/bonding activities are permitted?
We are encouraging all team meetings, bonding activities, and gatherings to take place either virtually or, if in-person, outdoors and socially distanced. The institutional protocols for “group gatherings” are always applicable to Bulldog Athletics outside of your practice/competition sessions. Once again, we encourage you to be very diligent and wise in your social gathering decisions.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
What if I have additional questions?
Please reach out to your coaching staff with your additional questions. If they cannot answer them or feel the information might be helpful to others, they will reach out to Jeff Martinez, Director of Athletics. Please know the Bulldog Athletics FAQ will be updated as significant developments occur.