On August 2, 2022, the University of Valley Forge notified students by email of updates and requirements regarding their arrival to the main campus for the Fall 2022 semester.
On December 3, 2021, the University of Valley Forge notified students by email of updates and requirements regarding their arrival to the main campus for the Spring 2022 semester.
On July 16, 2021, the University of Valley Forge notified students by email of updates and requirements regarding their arrival to the main campus for the fall 2021 semester.
Overview: Testing, Vaccines, and Returning to Campus
UVF does NOT require students to be vaccinated for Covid-19 before returning to campus.
To help keep our campus community safe, UVF will require all main campus students to take a PCR-based, rapid Covid-19 test upon arrival (during their check-in). The UVF Covid-19 test will be administered at no cost to the students. Results are typically available within 30 minutes (students will not need to quarantine while waiting for results).
Students who meet one or more of the following criteria will be exempt from taking a UVF Covid-19 test upon arrival:
During the week of August 1, all students will be asked to complete a “Fall 2021 Arrival Survey.” At that time, students will confirm their arrival date and time and whether they will submit documentation or take the UVF Covid-19 test.
FAQS and Details
Students are asked to read the FAQs for Arriving on Campus Fall 2021 carefully (click the button at the top of this page). Most questions about specific arrival times, testing, turning in documentation, move-in day, and other information about the semester are included in the FAQs. Questions may be directed to studentlife@valleyforge.edu. We’re glad to help!
Next Steps
After reading the FAQs, students should:
Jesus is our Center
As we look forward to a new semester, we recognize our dependence upon Jesus! He alone is the source of all we have and need. We continue to pray for our students, that all of us would know his love and be able to grasp “…how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18).
May Jesus grant all of us the grace to grasp his gracious love!
On December, 2, 2020, the University of Valley Forge notified students by email of updates and requirements for their return to campus for the spring 2021 semester.
The Frequently Asked Questions provided in that email informed main campus students that they may return to campus for the spring semester when they have done one of the following:
In addition to these requirements, as a second layer of protection for our UVF community, the University plans to test every main campus resident student upon arrival to campus. This additional testing does not replace the requirement to quarantine or receive a negative test result prior to arrival.
The addition of testing upon return to campus will mean an adjustment to how and when students will arrive on campus. To allow for the quickest turn-around time of testing results, students are asked to return to campus Saturday, January 9 at the time corresponding to the letter of their last name. It is important that students plan accordingly. See the FAQs for more details.
Specific information such as where to go upon arrival to campus will be released in the days ahead; however, the following information, in the form of FAQs, is provided to allow students and families opportunity to plan.
An email was sent to students with the latest FAQs regarding returning to campus for the spring semester.
An email was sent to the University community with the latest FAQs regarding the COVID-19 situation on campus.
An email was sent to students informing them of the latest FAQs for returning to campus for the fall semester.
An email was sent to students on July 8, 2020, informing students of the University’s Health and Safety Plan for the upcoming fall semester. Please click here (updated July 29th, 2020) to read the 2020-2021 Health and Safety Plan for Resuming In-Person Instruction.
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
We are happy to inform you that UVF will open as scheduled for the fall semester for both on-campus classes and residential life. Classes start on August 24. We are so very excited to see all of you back on campus.
Our Task Force on Reopening has been meeting regularly to work out the details of the safety plan for the fall semester. In the coming weeks, we will be sending more information about these plans, including move-in dates.
It has been good to see some of you on campus this past week to check out of your rooms. We continue to pray for you and look forward to being back together again in the fall.
An email was sent to students on May 22, 2020, explaining the timeline and process for retrieving their belongings from campus. Please see the following documents for more information:
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
Congratulations to everyone on completing the semester, and special congratulations to our 2020 graduates! Although these past two months did not turn out the way that any of us would have expected, we are so proud of all that you have accomplished. God has been faithful.
Here are some updates:
As we close the spring semester, we are praying the Apostle Paul’s prayer over you:
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
– Ephesians 3:16-19
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
Happy Forge Friday! As classes end and we prepare for finals week, we are praying for you to persevere and finish strong!
Here are some updates:
As we wrap up classes for the semester, we want to take the opportunity to tell you all how much we love and appreciate you. We know that the past six weeks have not been easy – academically, physically, or emotionally. We were created to be relational. We know, however, that God can use all circumstances to grow us closer to Him, and this time of struggle is no different. We pray that you abide in God’s presence and learn to trust Him more.
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
“Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you.”
– Philippians 1:2-3
We love you and are praying for you and your families daily.
Here are some updates:
As we come to the close of the semester, we encourage everyone to finish strong! Next week is our last week of virtual chapel on Wednesday (small group) and Friday (electives). And on Friday, April 24, we are celebrating the last day of classes with Forge Friday. Wear your Patriot gear, use a Valley Forge background, and post pictures on social media using the hashtag #ForgeFriday!
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
We hope that you are all safe and healthy during this Holy Week. We are constantly praying for you and your families and miss having you all on campus!
There are no new updates this week. We encourage you to refer to previous updates and FAQs for more information. We continue to monitor the situation for any new updates from the government, including when students will be able to return to campus to retrieve their belongings.
Our Chancellor, Dr. Ron McManus, recently shared with the Board of Trustees, “Instead of going to church on a Sunday, we have the opportunity now to be the Church.” Our Easter celebrations will be different this year. We may not physically go to church, but we can be the Church. We can testify of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and of the power that conquered death.
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
– Romans 8:11
Wherever you may be this weekend, be the Church. Reach out, love, and serve by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ to the fullest!
He is Risen!
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
We hope that you are all doing well and staying healthy during this time. We miss seeing you on campus and are praying for you and your families daily! We grieve with you at the loss of experiencing the rest of this semester together on campus. However, we look forward to finishing the semester strong, and know that God is still doing great things!
Here are some updates:
This time is challenging to all of us. Pastoral care is available at pastoralcare@valleyforge.edu. We are adjusting to guidance and recommendations that are changing every day. But we know that in times of uncertainty, we have one constant that is the same yesterday, today, and forever. May God grant you peace as you trust in Him.
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
Today, Governor Wolf announced that the stay-at-home order applying to counties including Chester County has been extended through April 30. In addition, all schools in Pennsylvania are to remain closed until further notice.
In the midst of this difficult season, we continue to pray for God’s grace to be with all of you.
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
We hope that you are all doing well and staying healthy during this time. We miss seeing you on campus and are praying for you and your families daily!
Here are some updates:
We, like you, continue to take the unfolding situation day-by-day. There are still many questions to be answered, so please continue to look for future weekly updates. We know that God cares deeply for our community. May the Lord continue to fill our hearts with the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
We hope you are settling into the new routine of online learning and adjusting to all of the unprecedented changes that we are experiencing together. We deeply care for you and are praying for you daily.
Here are some updates:
Thursday, March 19, Pennsylvania Governor Wolf announced further mitigation efforts that included the closing of non-life-sustaining businesses. As a result:
Thank you for your flexibility as we operate during the online learning period. Let us continue to abide in the presence of God, and pray for our community during this challenging time.
Dear University of Valley Forge Community,
Yesterday, Saturday, March 14, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf enacted aggressive social distancing procedures for Chester County for 14 days, effective March 15, in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Pennsylvania Department of Education advised that these procedures mandate the closing of institutions of higher education.
Therefore, beginning Monday, March 16, the University campus will be closed for the mandated period. Please see below for more information.
The University of Valley Forge will continue with our previously stated plan for seated courses. Seated courses are canceled for Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17, and will be moved online beginning Wednesday, March 18 until at least April 3. Instructions regarding how to access virtual class sessions will be emailed no later than Monday afternoon.
UVF will continue to reassess and post updates on at least a weekly basis.
STUDENTS:
Questions or concerns related to housing should be directed to studentlife@valleyforge.edu. Questions or concerns related to classes should be directed to the faculty teaching the course.
Let us continue to pray for all affected by this situation. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we continue to monitor and respond to updates regarding COVID-19.
Dear University of Valley Forge Community:
In light of the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 epidemic, UVF is enacting new measures in support of the public health of our community, while remaining committed to our academic mission.
At this time, the University has no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.
Public health officials and medical experts have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and are encouraging institutions to increase mitigation efforts against the virus, including social distancing. Guidance from such public health officials, however, does not encourage colleges to close at this time.
The safety and well-being of our students and employees are of highest priority to the University of Valley Forge. To ensure this priority, UVF has been proactive in preparing for a response to the pandemic. A campus task force of administrators, faculty, and staff has been diligently working to facilitate calm, quick, and effective responses during this emergency situation.
With regard to the evolving COVID-19 situation, the University is taking the following actions, effective Saturday, March 14, 2020, unless otherwise stated below.
ACADEMICS
STUDENT LIFE
STUDENT SERVICES
No decision has been made for any events after April 3, 2020 at this time. The University is continuing to monitor the situation and will be posting weekly updates every Friday or as needed.
Please see the FAQs page for more details and information about who to contact with specific questions.
During this period, the University will remain open with faculty and staff reporting to work. Faculty and staff will receive further information via email and are reminded to contact the Office of Human Resources if they have specific concerns.
We continue to make preparations in alignment with CDC guidelines and the guidance provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. We ask that everyone in our community continue to follow the practices set out by these health officials to prevent the spread of viral illness, including social distancing, refraining from gathering in large groups, and effective hand-washing and hygiene techniques.
Our COVID-19 web page continues to serve as a resource for our community and will be updated with the most current information.
UVF thanks our students, parents, and community supporters, as well as government officials and healthcare workers, that are together working to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in our area and around the world.
UVF continues to closely monitor the evolving situation with regular communication and guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Education, and the Chester County Health Department.
CDC and Chester County Health Department Information
According to the Chester County Health Department, there are currently no cases of Covid-19 in Chester County as of noon, March 12, 2020. If local health officials report that there are cases of Covid-19 in the community, we will take additional steps, in consultation with health officials, to reduce the spread of the disease. Temporarily suspending classes or moving classes online is a strategy to stop or slow the spread of Covid-19 in communities and one that would be made in consultation with health officials. Faculty are prepared to move classes into an online format should that become necessary.
The University recommends monitoring the CDC’s website and the Chester County Health Department’s website for ongoing information. CDC information: CDC Coronavirus 2019 Information. Chester County Health Department: CCHD Website
The following information comes from recent communication to our UVF community:
UVF Updates
The policies of universities and colleges are rapidly changing regarding athletic participation and contests. UVF is in regular communication with our conference and with teams on our schedule. Because the situation is rapidly changing, we are assessing competitions on a case-by-case basis as other schools do the same. Schedule changes and cancelations can be expected.
The following measures were mentioned in previous communications:
Illness Communication
UVF requests that any member of the UVF community with cold or flu-like symptoms report it to Lauren Born in the Health and Wellness Center. Resident students should also contact their Resident Assistant (RA) and Residence Director (RD). Information on symptoms of Covid-19 from the CDC may be accessed here: Symptoms
Should someone in our UVF community become exposed to or infected with Covid-19, UVF will follow the directives of health officials.
Illness Prevention
While our families and communities work to be prepared, the best information at this time recommends the same kind of preventative measures for influenza-like illnesses-frequent hand-washing, avoiding shared utensils, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve, and staying home or in your room if you are not feeling well.
In addition to good flu prevention practices, UVF recommends each person regularly clean personal spaces and items (such as mobile phones, dorm room or office internal door knobs, desks, and computer keyboards).
We appreciate our UVF community and the deep care and concern for one another. Please keep countries and persons impacted by Covid-19 in your prayers.