Information for Students

What's on this page

• Student vaccination requirement
• How to get a vaccine
• Get a free COVID-19 test
• What to do if you feel sick or ill

Student Vaccination Requirement

All UL Lafayette students (except dual enrollment students) must receive the COVID-19 vaccine or submit a request for exemption to avoid a registration hold on future semesters.

In addition to preventing the COVID-19 virus, vaccinated students will usually not be required to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Vaccination Requirement Information

How to Get a Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccinations are critical to reduce the severity of illness and protect high-risk populations and are required for all UL Lafayette students. The CDC recommends that individuals stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. Learn more about COVID-19 booster shots.

The University is not currently administering COVID-19 vaccines. Find a list of vaccine providers on the LDH website or call the Louisiana vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774. The vaccine hotline can also connect you with medical professionals who can answer questions.

How to Get a COVID-19 Test

COVID testing is available by appointment at Student Health Services on campus.

See a list of other local COVID-19 testing sites from the Louisiana Department of Health.

Information for Students

Symptomatic students are reminded to complete the COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Form when told to quarantine or isolate because of exposure to COVID-19, or if they are presumed positive because of symptoms and testing.

Guidelines for if You Feel Sick or Ill

Students who feel ill should stay home and call Student Health Services at (337) 482-1293 to schedule an appointment. Students are required to report illness or a known COVID-19 exposure via the UL Lafayette Student Quarantine and Isolation form.

View pdfs of the CDC's latest quarantine and isolation guidelines and what to do if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Course Offerings & Delivery Methods

The University has completed extensive risk analysis across all functions of campus. Our goal is to blend in-person and online learning in a way that preserves valuable on-campus experiences and reduces the potential for exposure to coronavirus.

No permanent changes are being made to any course's delivery mode at this time. As always, the University continues to monitor the health situation and will adjust as necessary.

Instructors will alert students about any course delivery changes for this time period. Faculty members should discuss potential plans to alter course delivery methods with their department heads. If a change is approved, courses will remain listed in the catalog as originally scheduled.

Class Sizes and Protocols

Social distancing measures will be in place in most classes, with the exception of some labs and studios.

The capacity of buildings has been determined by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Deans and department heads should work with Taz Winger to ensure classes meet capacity requirements to ensure social distancing. Deans and department heads are responsible for ensuring capacity is not exceeded during the semester.

For courses that regularly interact with the public, deans and department heads should develop plans for how such interactions can occur in a safe manner.

Field trips are limited to sites within Lafayette Parish or one of the parishes immediately adjacent to it. Longer field trips must be optional. Students must drive or will have to arrange for their transportation to and from the site. A suitable alternative activity will be provided to students who cannot attend the trip.

Disability Services & Accomodations

The Office of Disability Services has posted guidelines and updates for accommodating students with disabilities as we transition to remote delivery.

Requesting disabilility accommodations

Students with disabilities should register with the Office of Disability Services to discuss accommodations for the upcoming semester. This includes concerns about wearing masks due to a disability.

Accommodations meetings will be conducted in a virtual format.

If a student needs to request an additional accommodation, fill out the "Additional Accommodation Request" in AIM via ULink.

Disability Services Testing Center

As long as the university is holding face to face classes, the ODS testing center will be open to students who need testing accommodations.

Schedule exams with ODS via your AIM account through ULink at least 3 days prior to the test.

Absences from Class

If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms associated with COVID-19, or do not feel well for any reason, do not come to class or to campus.

Students who feel unwell should complete the Anticipated or Unplanned Absence form to alert the dean of students.

If you are experiencing COVID or flu-like symptoms

1. Go home/stay in your residence, avoid contact with others, and inform your roommates.
2. Call the Student Health Center at 337-482-1328. If you are told quarantine or isolate because if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are presumed positive because of symptoms and testing, complete the isolation and quarantine form.
3. A representative from the Student Health Services COVID-19 response team will call you to complete a case investigation and instruct you on next steps. You must participate in the case investigation.
4. Contact your instructors to inform them of your situation (i.e., if you have been instructed to quarantine or isolate, etc.) and discuss possible arrangements and ways to keep up with your courses. Do not wait until you are behind to reach out to your instructors.
5. Student Health Services will monitor your quarantine/isolation period. At the end of the quarantine/isolation time frame, you must complete a self-certification form, stating that you do not have any symptoms, or that your symptoms have improved.
6. Student Health Services will email you a Return-to-Class form that you will turn in to your instructor. You cannot return to class without this form. If you have any additional questions regarding COVID-19, contact the COVID call center at 337-482-1399.

If you are immunocompromised or uncomfortable attending classes

Consider your personal situation and determine if you can attend face-to-face classes. If you determine you should not attend classes on campus, review the course schedule and choose classes that are held online, remote, or that are HyFlex.

Though HyFlex courses have an in-person component, many can be modified to 100-percent remote delivery by working with the instructor.

If you start the semester but cannot complete it

If you realize you are unable to complete the semester in person once it begins, contact your instructor to see if there are any options to complete the course remotely.

Dupré Library

See the list of available services for remote teaching, learning, and research.

Research Services

Electronic Resources: The library’s digital collections are available remotely 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Search digital collections, including research databases, electronic journals, and full-text e-books. View guides to resources and tutorials.

Reference Assistance: Students and faculty can interact with librarians through the “Ask a Librarian” service. It is accessible from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays. On weekends, the service is available from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2-9 p.m. on Sundays. Appointments are also available via email at reference@louisiana.edu. Librarians can set up calls or Zoom meetings.

Departmental Librarians: Faculty members with questions about remote instruction may consult with a subject specialist librarian in their area.

Clarifying Student Expectations for Housing

Students will be responsible for complying with University public health policies as described in their UL Lafayette Housing contract. Failure to comply may render the student unable to participate in residence hall activities and/or may result in a referral to Student Rights and Responsibilities. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Physical distancing
• Compliance with isolation/quarantine protocols
• Communication of COVID-19 situations through the online self-reporting form

Housing Health and Safety

We know that your health and safety are of the utmost importance. Here are some of the measures we're taking.

Masks are Recommended

Anyone entering a residence hall/apartment building (including residents) is encouraged to wear a face mask while in public spaces. The University's policy, updated on 03/14/22, states that face masks are recommended, but not required, in all indoor settings and outdoors while on University property.

Increased Cleaning Efforts

• All common spaces and high touch point areas such as elevator buttons, water fountains, door handles, public restrooms, and laundry rooms will be cleaned at an increased frequency.
• Signage is placed on every suite/junior suite/apartment entrance door as well as suite/junior suite/apartment bedroom doors explaining how students should self-report COVID-19 symptoms/issues.
• Residents should bring their own cleaning supplies to clean all spaces within suite/junior suite/apartment. Here are some tips for cleaning your room.

Isolation/Quarantine

• Some residence hall spaces have been taken offline to be used as isolation/quarantine spaces for residents that decide to isolate/quarantine on campus.
• Resident MUST follow the university’s isolation/quarantine policy, or they will be asked to move off campus. View the student COVID-19 quarantine and isolation form.
• Residents must self-report if in contact with a positive person, feels symptoms, or has tested for COVID-19 (meaning the resident has taken a COVID-19 test but has not received the results yet). This is an online process. A cling with the URL is on every suite/jr suite/apartment mirror as well as suite/jr suite/apartment bedroom mirrors explaining how students should self-report COVID-19 symptoms/issues.
• Housing, Residence Life, Student Affairs, and Student Health Services will work with any resident that needs to isolate/quarantine.

​Room Changes

• If a resident decides to move to another room, isolation/quarantine students would only move the necessary items needed during the isolation/quarantine period, not all of their belongings.
• When one resident is involved, the resident will be assigned to a new, clean space and move within two hours to a new room.
• When two or more residents are involved, residents will move one-at-a-time into a clean space. Residents will be given two-hour windows to move. NOTE: Students cannot “swap” rooms. All rooms would need to be cleaned by Housing custodial staff before another resident can move into that room.

Common Spaces

• All common spaces are open. However, social distancing is required. This includes but is not limited to lounge spaces, fitness areas, study rooms.
• Cleaning efforts will continue and be increased in these spaces.
• Only two people are allowed at a time in the elevators.

Staff Training

All Housing and Residence Life Staff have and will continue to be trained on all safety protocols and guidelines from the university, the city/state/federal governments, and health officials as they pertain to COVID-19.

Residential Life

All of our programs will follow the CDC guidelines.

You can look forward to participating online with trivia, grocery bingo, movie nights, video tournaments, and cooking demonstrations with your RA. We look forward to you attending programs and winning prizes, while making friends and learning about all the resources available for you to make your experience at UL Lafayette successful.

Changes to Dining Services

Campus Dining is working to protect students and employees who eat on campus.

Dining Services Adjustments

Carryout and Prepackaged Options: Expanded options for carryout orders, including delivery where feasible.

Service during Quarantine: Safe meal delivery options to isolated locations for students experiencing symptoms or diagnosed with COVID-19.

Team Member Health

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Employees will follow all current University guidelines regarding the use of masks. Employees will continue to wear gloves.

Hand Washing: Staff will continue to wash hands frequently.

Team Member Health: Employees will regularly report on their health.

Cleaning, Sanitation & Protection

Sanitizing and Disinfecting: High-touch surfaces will be cleaned frequently with professional-grade products.

Technology: Touchless entryways, online ordering, cashless payments, and delivery options will limit contact between dining staff and students.

Meal Plans

Learn about meal plans for residents, commuters, and employees on the Office of Campus Dining website.

View Meal Plans

Masks Recommended on Campus

The University's Face Covering Policy recommends that all individuals, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status, wear face coverings over their mouths and noses while on University property unless they are alone in a private office or workspace.

A department or unit may require all individuals wear face coverings over their mouths and noses if it is determined to be necessary during a specific face-to-face course, in a specific classroom, laboratory, and/or private office/workspace, or other areas.

Additional exemptions and face covering guidelines are outlined in the policy. View the University's policy >

Tips & Prevention

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Vaccines are safe, effective and the most powerful tool we have to combat – and end – the pandemic.

Along with becoming vaccinated, you can take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. Visit the CDC's website for more information on prevention.

Tip 1. Wash hands with soap or water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.

Tip 2. Avoid crowds or gatherings. Keep a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others.

Tip 3. Keep objects and surfaces clean.

Tip 4. Wear a mask or cloth face covering to protect others in public areas.

Tip 5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

Tip 6. Avoid contact with sick people.

Tip 7. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue or elbow when sneezing.

Tip 8. Put tissues in the trash bin and wash hands.

Tip 9. Do not share eating utensils and food.

Tip 10. Increase ventilation, open windows when possible.

Some Common Symptoms

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, you cannot come to campus.

If you start experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact Student Health Services at 337-482-1328 immediately.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Taking care of your mental health is important.

Mental health resources

Telehealth Counseling Sessions Available

The University's Counseling and Testing Center is offering telehealth sessions. Emergency in-person appointments are available.

To schedule a telehealth session, please (337) 482-6480 or email counseling@louisiana.edu. Sessions and services are free to University faculty, staff, and currently registered students.

Learn more on the Counseling and Testing website, including the center's plans for the upcoming semester and a list of resources to help you manage stress and emotional health.