SLU-Madrid has implemented measures to minimize further spread of COVID-19 and help protect our students, faculty, and staff. These plans are based on the best information available to us at this time and are subject to change.

New and Visiting Students: SLU-Madrid's admissions staff will continue to provide guidance to newly admitted students.
 
Continuing Students: Spanish authorities have declared that non-EU students holding student residence cards or with student visas in their passports will be able enter Spain, provided they are free of COVID-19 symptoms.

Course Registration: Course registration opens on November 4. Students planning to register for SLU-Madrid courses, but who do not plan to travel to Madrid, are asked to indicate so in Self-Service Banner. Each course will have one of the following attributes:

In-Person Flex

• Default value for all courses, unless instructed otherwise.
• This section will be offered both in-person and online for students who are not returning to campus and for students whose situation changes throughout the semester.

Online Asynchronous

• This section will be offered 100% online
• Days and time are removed from section

Online Synchronous

• This section will be offered 100% online
• Days and time are retained on section

In-Person Only

• This section requires special equipment and is only available in-person

Academic Calendar: For Spring 2021, SLU-Madrid will follow the published academic calendar. All students are expected to log into Blackboard and/or attend their classes starting on the first day of classes on Wednesday, January 20. To maximize in-person learning, SLU-Madrid may adjust this calendar, based on regional and national holidays in Spain.

Monday, Jan. 18: Visiting Student Arrival
Tuesday, Jan. 19: New Student Welcome and Orientation
Wednesday, Jan. 20: First Day of Classes
Sunday, Jan. 31: Change of Registration Period Ends
Wednesday, April 14: Registration for Fall Semester Opens
Wednesday, May 5: Last Day of Classes
Thursday, May 6 through Wednesday, May 12: Final Exams
Friday, May 14: Commencement
Sunday, May 16: Professor's Deadline to Submit Final Grades

Online and In-Person Instruction: SLU-Madrid faculty are offering courses in a range of modalities to accommodate students who are not able to attend class in-person due to travel restrictions or health concerns. All faculty have a transition plan in place in case the regional government requires SLU-Madrid to pivot to remote teaching.
 
On-Campus Protocols: SLU-Madrid's health and safety protocols have been developed in accordance with the guidelines required by national and regional health authorities. Safeguards will remain in place for Spring 2021.
 
Face Masks: In Madrid, face masks must be worn in all public spaces – both indoors and outdoors. SLU-Madrid will provide all students with face masks; students, faculty and staff will be required to wear them on campus.

Social Distancing: SLU-Madrid has reconfigured all spaces on campus to promote 1.5 meters of social distancing. In addition, plexiglass screens have been installed in various locations, such as reception desks. Face shields are available for faculty and staff upon request. The number of persons in elevators and restrooms at a given time is restricted.

Symptom Checking: All students, faculty and staff are asked to monitor themselves to see if they have a temperature higher than 37.5º C (99.5º F) or any symptom compatible with COVID-19. If so, they are instructed to stay home and contact the public health services by dialing 900 102 112. Students should also communicate their situation to the Student Life Office (studentlife-madrid@slu.edu); faculty and staff, to the Office of Human Resources (hr-madrid@slu.edu). Periodic temperature screening will be implemented on campus.

Handwashing and Sanitizing Stations: Hand-sanitizing stations with hydro-alcoholic gel are located throughout campus, including at all key entrance and exit points.

Cleaning/Disinfecting: SLU-Madrid has implemented daily disinfecting efforts on campus, with special attention to high touch surfaces. Disinfectant detergent and paper towels are available in all shared offices and classrooms for additional sanitation during the day.

Other Measures: Other efforts in place to ensure the health and safety of the SLU-Madrid community include (but are not limited to) keeping doors open in high-traffic areas, foot pedal installation in drinking fountains and limiting drinking fountains to water bottle refills only, daily ventilation of buildings, and educational signage to promote best practices.

Host-Family Housing: For Spring 2021, host-family housing is limited to single-room occupancy only; no host family will house more than three students. SLU-Madrid has ensured that infrastructure and services are in place to support students if they become ill or need to self-isolate due to exposure to COVID-19. This safety measure requires host families to provide additional meal service and sanitary measures; thus, an additional 15€ per day will be charged to the student for each day of prescribed confinement. If the host family is affected and/or cannot provide host family services, SLU-Madrid will move the student to a different housing accommodation.

Students living with host families will follow the protocols recommended by Spain's health authorities. They must take responsibility for personal care and facilitate the cleaning/disinfection of their rooms and belongings. As on campus, students must follow all protocols, including but not limited to, social distancing, travel restrictions, use of personal protection equipment and possible confinement. In addition, host families may set restrictions on visitors to their homes. Detailed guidelines are available here. 
 
Nexo Student Residences: Our residential partners have also established health and safety protocols. For additional information, contact: info@nexoresidencias.com.
 
Off-Campus Protocols: The health and safety of our community is a shared responsibility that requires all students, faculty, and staff to be accountable for behaviors on and off campus. All members of the SLU-Madrid community will be required to follow the directives issued by Spain's health authorities. At present, these include mandatory use of masks in public, indoors and outside. As we experienced in March of 2020, local authorities may impose additional measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including mandatory testing, closures and lockdowns.

Travel: SLU-Madrid recommends that students from outside of Spain make travel arrangements that permit changes in the event of a need to return home due to unforeseen circumstances. In addition, SLU-Madrid requests its community limit travel during the Spring 2021 semester.
 
Sources we turn to for information include the city of Madrid (Ayuntamiento de Madrid), the Madrid Province (Comunidad de Madrid), Spain's National Ministry of Health, the U.S. Embassy in Spain, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
Previous campus updates are available for reference.

Updated: January 15, 2021