Our Way Forward

Our Way Forward is designed to serve our Wake Forest community by providing timely information and answers to the most frequently asked questions about living at Wake Forest during the pandemic.

Here you will find our current operating status and dashboard information, which shares how our community is contending with COVID-19. The site also has FAQs on key topics, University policies and a log of COVID-related communications.

If you don’t find what you are looking for, please make a recommendation or ask your questions here.

Thank you for all you are doing to help keep our community healthy.

COVID-19 booster shots are encouraged

With the emergence of the Omicron variant and for the continued safety of the campus community, it is recommended that all eligible students, faculty and staff get a COVID-19 booster shot.

If your original vaccination was Johnson & Johnson, you are eligible two months after your initial vaccine. If your original vaccination was Pfizer or Moderna, you are eligible six months after your second dose. If you live or work on campus or interact with campus regularly, you likely meet the eligibility requirements. Find a COVID-19 booster shot location and check your eligibility.

NOTES FOR STUDENTS:

  • It is possible, though not yet decided, that the booster shot will be required for enrollment in Spring 2022 semester courses.
  • Students are encouraged to upload proof of their booster vaccinations to the Student Health Portal. This data will help create a more accurate picture of the community’s ability to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as senior administrators and health experts prepare for Omicron and future variants.

VIDEO: Dr. Chris Ohl provides information about boosters for students | faculty & staff

Get your questions answered

What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19: These decision-tree diagrams will help you understand what to do next:
Students » | Faculty / Staff »

What to do if you are sick: Monitor your health daily using the self-screening tool from Student Health Service.  Additionally, students should refer to this post on who to contact after a known COVID-19 exposure or positive test.

Mental Health & Wellbeing: If you (or anyone you care about) are struggling with the effects of the pandemic, please know that you are not alone. Help is here, and it’s here for you.

Quarantine & Isolation: While we hope you don’t have to spend time in quarantine or isolation, information is available to help you understand the experience and what resources are available.

Vaccinations: Learn more about the vaccine, where you can get it and how to let Wake Forest know you’ve received it here »

Recent Updates

Oct. 13: Influenza vaccine requirement: Wake Forest will require the influenza vaccine for all students, faculty and staff again this fall. To comply with this policy, you must get a flu vaccine (or requesting a religious or medical exemption) by Dec. 15, 2021.

Aug. 16: Fall 2021 Protocols
As we begin the Fall 2021 semester, Wake Forest has united in our collaborative efforts to have a fully operational campus. From listening to faculty, staff and students, we are aware of various concerns regarding the emergence of the Delta variant of COVID-19. We have created a set of guidelines regarding public health expectations and our approach to the fall semester in response to the ongoing pandemic and concerns regarding the Delta variant.
See the Fall 2021 Protocols »

Aug. 12: Mask Requirements
University administrators announced that masks will be required indoors in all University properties regardless of vaccination status beginning Aug. 16. An email signed by President Susan Wente, Executive Vice President Hof Milam and Provost Rogan Kersh included several details about exceptions to this protocol.
Read the message »