SotA 2024 On-Site COVID Agreement + Policy

** UPDATE: JAN 2024 **

We have updated our Vaccine Policy for 2024 after being rightfully called in by some of our community members. SotA is, as always, a community-led organization that is open and eager to adapt and work through issues with your collective input, especially those concerning prioritizing folks who are rarely prioritized in institutional spaces. We are making a change based on rising rates, community concern, and a desire to better center disability justice. We know that the best way to protect and prioritize the most vulnerable folks is to create the safest possible conditions for a COVID-free session, and we are now requiring that every participant is vaccinated with the most recent vaccines, which were released September 2023. This vaccine is not a booster; it’s a new vaccine that targets current strains.

We also want to call out the inherent risk of gathering, no matter our policies. We are traveling from communities all over the country, some moving through planes and airports. We are working to prioritize the collective health of our community, but please recognize the risk level, and assess if you are comfortable taking this level of risk. Please read through all points below before applying or agreeing to attend.

Vaccination and testing

Up-to-date vaccinations required (you must have had an additional COVID-19 shot on or after September 11, 2023.)
All attendees must take a rapid test before arrival (no more than 24 hours before).

Enforcement
We trust our community to prioritize community care by following these commitments; an honor policy will be used for both the vaccine and testing.

With a tiny admin staff and no on-site COVID staff member, it is beyond our capacity to verify medical records, administer tests, or audit the results of over 90 participants. We will send an intake to all participants that includes you checking a box verifying that you have or will get the latest vaccine and that you will test prior to arrival.
Our honor policy process will include a digital form submitted far ahead of the session, where participants declare that they have gotten the appropriate vaccine, and highly visible signage at the entrance stating that by entering you are confirming that you have met both of the requirements.

Mitigating risk

If you are flying or using other forms of public transportation, wear a mask during travel to SotA.
We are not requiring masks during our session, as we are taking other mitigating steps. However, we will supply and encourage the use of masks for:

On-Campus agreement:

We will be functioning as a pod. This means we are asking for zero contact with anyone outside of the 2024 SotA community, even masked/outdoors. With a 2-week session, and folks coming and going between weeks, we feel this is the safest way to protect the entire community.

• Limited (not daily) grocery store runs are fine, but we encourage you to use the free curbside pickup available at Ingles.

• No indoor private spaces.

• If you must be in a public space during the session (bank, etc), mask and limit the time inside to 15 minutes, and alert someone in SotA leadership either before (ideally) or after taking that risk.

• If you want to spend time with folks in Black Mountain or Asheville, delay your return trip and have those visits after the session wraps.

Prior to arrival:

Consider the collective in the ten days leading up to session. We recognize that folks live with different risk tolerance, and that it is a deep privilege to be able to avoid all risk (WFH, private transportation, etc). That being said, actions like consistent masking, keeping physical distance from high-risk roommates, and not attending indoor public social events can make a big difference.

Policy compliance

SotA volunteer staff does not have the capacity to mitigate risk for folks with COVID, COVID exposure, or those who break these guidelines. The cost is too great for our community. SotA is not able to cover the cost of private rooms and does not want to police the use of masks or social distancing of potentially exposed persons during the session. We do not feel comfortable placing those burdens on our community.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID prior to arrival will be asked not to attend the session. Please refer to CDC guidelines for when it is safe to end isolation post infection.
Any participants who tests positive during the session will need to isolate. Options for isolation include leaving campus or booking a solo room within our lodge for $64/night. Anyone who does opt to book a private lodge room will not be able to attend classes in person, or spend time in communal spaces. We are currently working on full in-session isolation protocol.
If you find out you were exposed once you are here: Honor policy is applied here. Please protect the community in whatever way you see, dependent on your own knowledge of the exposure.

We do ask that you inform the entire community of your exposure via our session slack team so folks can take their own necessary precautions, as well as mask and test for a few days post-exposure. Continue asking those around you if they'd feel more comfortable/protected if everyone was masked in a given space, and remind them of your exposure status as well.

Here are some additional things to consider: masking, eating your meals outdoors, asking faculty to hold class outside or on the porch, regular testing.
Anyone who learns of pre-session exposure (close contact) to COVID that took place on April 29th or later will be asked not to attend the session.
We believe it is important for everyone to have the same information about risk, exposures, and infection. If someone tests positive or reveals a covid exposure during session, we will ask them to share that with the community digitally + at meal time.
We recognize that these strict policies may cause a financial and emotional burden on folks who are exposed, but we must mitigate risk to the larger community.

We are currently exploring solutions to have a gentler and less expensive exit for anyone who contracts COVID or learns of an exposure. Our strict policies are not to shame anyone in this position, but to prohibit an outbreak and to be able to financially sustain this project.

Cost and resources

If you report COVID or exposure ahead of session, and do not arrive on campus, we will reimburse you for 50% of tuition, the remainder of which covers the cost of your room. If you report COVID or exposure midway through the session and have to leave early, we will reimburse you for 25% of tuition. Our cost to hold these sessions currently exceeds our income, and we are working towards operating outside of the red. If it is financially viable for you, you can extend this refund back to SotA as a donation.
Available resources: School of the Alternative will have limited additional rapid tests on site if anyone is feeling symptomatic; rapid and PCR tests are available close by at drugstores/Range Urgent Care in Black Mountain. We will have masks and hand sanitizer on site and available for general use.
We are currently seeking donations for rapid tests. Please reach out if you have a source!

Addendum

There are a small number of local infrastructure support people who are limited exceptions to these policies.

Y staff, who come in daily for cleaning and laundry, and who we cannot compel to mask. They are in our building for approx 20 mins daily.
Garden hosts, who live locally and donate space. These two folks are partial participants in our community. They commit to:

Follow our cautionary protocols in the ten days ahead of SotA and in session.
Mask in out-of-their-home spaces and to limit any unmasked exposure to only their two small children at preschool.
Wear masks in areas of campus that are less well-ventilated (i.e. small classrooms)