Lincoln University has sent a COVID-19 liability waiver to students, but a spokeswoman said students will not face a consequence for not signing the waiver.
"The use of liability waivers is common on university campuses this fall," LU spokeswoman Misty Young said. "While Lincoln University is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of the entire university community as students return to campus, we believe it is important to make students aware that ultimately their personal safety relies on their own behaviors."
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The waiver states the person reading it assumes "full responsibility for any and all risks of illness or injury associated with exposure to COVID-19, as well as from use of any protective equipment, including face masks, that the university may voluntarily provide."
Signing the waiver would also prevent someone from suing the university in connection with exposure, infection or spread of COVID-19, including injury, disability, illness, damage or death as a result.
It would not matter whether that exposure occurs before, during or after a return to campus.
Young added: "There is no consequence for a student not signing the waiver. Faculty and staff have not been asked to sign a waiver."
LU also has posted a COVID-19 disclaimer on its website: "Faculty, staff, employees, students, and campus visitors voluntarily assume full responsibility for any and all risks of illness or injury associated with exposure to COVID-19, as well as from use of any protective equipment, including face masks, that the University may voluntarily provide."
Classes at LU are scheduled to begin Aug. 24.
LU released a fall reopening plan last month, and the plan is available at lincolnu.edu/web/lincoln/health-safety-information. The precautions to be taken include a mask-wearing requirement, students being asked to bring cleaning supplies to campus, weekly room checks and cash not being accepted for dining on campus.