American College Health Association Releases New Guidelines on Preparing for COVID-19

SILVER SPRINGS, MD – The American College Health Association (ACHA) announces the release of its new guidelines, Preparing for COVID-19. Prepared by the ACHA COVID-19 Task Force, these guidelines are designed to help college health and well-being health professionals and campus administrators prepare for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related issues on their campuses.

COVID-19 is a concern for college and university officials not only because of students, staff, faculty, and visitors traveling to and from areas affected by the outbreak, but also due to the potential for rapid transmission in a congregate setting within campus environments.

These guidelines provide recommendations for the student health service (SHS), the campus itself, and members of the campus community.

"As our nation and our campus communities prepare for the COVID-19 virus, ACHA is grateful to our dedicated volunteers that developed this excellent resource," says Devin Jopp, Ed.D., chief executive officer of ACHA. "We believe this new set of guidelines will help guide our collective actions and help better position the higher education community as we confront this virus head on."

"The ACHA COVID-19 Task Force has been hard at work fielding concerns from the college health community, posting resources and updates, and rapidly responding to new developments related to COVID-19," says task force chair Jean Chin, M.D., M.B.A., FACP, FACHA. "Our hope is that these guidelines, paired with existing campus resources and coordination with local and state health agencies, will assist schools nationwide in preparing for COVID-19 and its implications for campus communities."

The new guidelines, Preparing for COVID-19, can be downloaded at www.acha.org/documents/resources/guidelines/ACHA_Preparing_for_COVID-19_March-3-2020.pdf. An extensive list of additional ACHA resources and updates regarding the COVID-19 outbreak can also be found at www.acha.org/COVID-19

About ACHA 
The American College Health Association (ACHA), founded in 1920, is a national nonprofit association serving as the nation's principal leadership organization for advancing the health of college students and campus communities through advocacy, education and research. ACHA represents a diverse membership that provides and supports the delivery of health care, prevention, and wellness services for the nation's 20 million college students. ACHA advocates for student health by integrating the critical role of college health into the mission of higher education. For more information about the association visit www.acha.org.

Featured

  • From Approval to Opening: Inside Travis Unified School District’s Fast Tracked Campus Expansion

    The Travis Unified School District (TUSD) in northern California includes several elementary and high schools serving over 5,400 students. In 2024, the TUSD Board approved the addition of sixth grade to the Golden West Middle School campus for the 2025–26 school year, setting in motion an accelerated effort to bring new facilities online in less than a year.

  • Johns Hopkins Starts Construction on New Residence Hall, Dining Facility

    The Homewood Campus of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., recently began construction on a new residence hall and dining facility, according to university news. The work involves demolishing the existing Alumni Memorial Residence Hall I, which was built in 1923, to make room for the new facility.

  • AAADM Announces Building Safety Month Initiatives

    The American Association of Automatic Door Manufacturers (AAADM) recently announced its support of Building Safety Month as declared by the International Code Council (ICC), according to a news release.

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.