COVID Response: What’s Changed? What’s Staying the Same?

April 13, 2023

Seattle University continues to base its policies and protocols on the latest public health guidance. Following are reminders and recent updates to SU’s COVID-19 response. These are subject to change based on current health conditions and federal, state and local requirements.

What’s changed?

  • Seattle University is not currently requiring that positive COVID-19 cases be reported to Public Safety or monitoring the covid-19-report@seattleu.edu e-mail address.

  • Contact tracing and the confirmed cases dashboard have been suspended.
  • The daily Safe Start health screening has been retired.

What remains in place?

  • Students, faculty and staff are still required to receive the primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine and remain up to date with their vaccinations—that is, receive booster doses when eligible. Read more: Vaccination Policy.

  • Guidance for those with symptoms, exposure or positive tests remains available on the university website. Learn more here.

What about masking?

Effective April 3, the State of Washington ended its requirement that masks be worn in healthcare facilities. State and county public health guidance continues to recommend the wearing of masks in health care settings and organizations have the option at their discretion to require the wearing of masks. Please follow any mask requirements for the Student Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Services and Disability Services. Read more: Face Covering Policy.

What’s ahead?

The federal government’s Public Health Emergency will end on May 11.  As a result of this positive development, certain benefits provided by our medical plans will revert to their pre-pandemic levels. 

The Kaiser Health Plan mailed a letter this week to their members’ home address that explains these changes. Kaiser members can also visit this Kaiser website for more information. Aetna Health Plan members can find more information by logging into their personal Aetna account at or by visiting this Aetna website.