SotA 2025 On-Site COVID Agreement + Policy
This is a living document that may change as conditions change. Our policy is similar to last year: we are requiring that every participant is vaccinated with the most up-to-date recommended vaccines and boosters
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 and those most vulnerable among us, but please recognize the risk level, and assess if you are comfortable taking this level of risk. Please read through all the points below before applying or agreeing to attend.
Vaccination and testing
Up-to-date vaccinations are required
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 50 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, that you will test prior to arrival, and that you will follow the SotA COVID policies.
On-Campus agreement
We will be functioning as a pod. This means during the 9 days of the session there will be no extended contact with anyone outside of the 2025 SotA community.
If you must be in a public space during the session (bank, store, etc), mask and limit the time inside.
If you test positive while at SotA, you will not be able to continue with the session. We can help you find separate lodging while you navigate travel home, but unfortunately do not have the budget to cover this cost. (see more on close contact exposure in the Policy Compliance section below)
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:
Folks who feel any symptoms.
Class time in smaller or unventilated spaces.
Immunocompromised folks, or those with a lower risk tolerance.
The first 24 hours we are together in close indoor spaces
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.
All attendees must take a rapid test before arrival (no more than 24 hours before).
If you are flying or using other forms of public transportation, wear a mask during travel to SotA.
Policy compliance
SotA volunteer staff do 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.
Anyone who learns of pre-session exposure (close contact) to COVID that took place on May 7th or later will be asked not to attend the session.
Anyone who learns of pre-session exposure (close contact) to COVID that took place on May 7th or later once you are here: Honor policy is applied here.
We believe it is important for everyone to have the same information about risk, exposures, and infection. Known exposure will be shared with the community digitally + at meal time.
Precautionary options: masking, eating your meals outdoors, asking faculty to hold class outside or on the porch, regular testing.
Anyone who tests positive during the session will not be able to continue with the session. We can help you find separate lodging while you navigate travel home, but unfortunately do not have the budget to cover this cost.
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 always 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.
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.
Warren Wilson staff, who we cannot compel to mask.
Garden hosts, who live locally and donate space. These two folks are off site 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)
