Health & Safety Information

Masking is optional in indoor spaces at Stonehill College. Masking is also optional for entrance into Health Services, the Athletic Training Room, and the Counseling Center. However, please be advised that health-related facilities may make a change to their area based on current needs and require masks. In those situations, the facility will post signs locally. Those who test positive for COVID-19 or are identified as a close contact must also continue wearing a mask in accordance with isolation and quarantine protocols. Faculty and staff may request the use of masking for classroom settings or meetings, and we ask that everyone be understanding, accommodating, and respectful of these requests. Individuals may continue wearing a mask if they choose for any reason, and we support them in that choice.

Yes, guests and visitors may access campus. Non-student, overnight guests are also permitted in the residence halls. Resident students wishing to register an overnight guest should do so through the guest registration process in myHill. Additional information is available here.

Asymptomatic surveillance testing is not required, nor available on campus.

Yes. The College does provide symptomatic testing to students, faculty, and staff. During business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday), students experiencing symptoms should contact Health Services directly at 508-565-1307. Outside of normal business hours students should complete the Symptom Reporter and follow the guidance provided.

We recommend that students pack a few rapid test kits when they move to campus so that they can test on their own if necessary (such as after business hours). 

Employees experiencing symptoms should always contact their primary care provider first and follow up with the Employee Health and Wellness Coordinator Monique Avila at 508-565-1608.

For students, if you have questions regarding general health information and vaccines, you can contact Maria Sullivan, Director of Health Services, at msullivan7@stonehill.edu or 508-565-1307.

Employees should contact Monique Avila, Employee Health and Wellness Coordinator, at mavila@stonehill.edu or 508-565-1608. 

When made aware of a presumptive positive test, the College works to implement all follow-up protocols. Faculty and staff who test positive will be sent home and required to self-isolate according to public health guidelines.  

Students should notify Health Services by phone at 508-565-1307 if tested positive. Employees should notify Employee Health and Wellness at 508-565-1608. If after business hours, please self-isolate in place** and contact Health Services or Employee Health and Wellness the following day.  

Students who test positive are expected to follow all public health guidelines. Students required to isolate should contact their PCP for any medical concerns while isolating at home or Health Services if isolating on campus.   

Please click on this link to read over the isolation guidance and fill out the link to the Close Contact form. 

Identified close contacts of the positive cases will be provided information consistent with public health guidelines to determine the need for quarantine.  

**Isolate in place means: remain in your residence hall. Maintain physical distance from others. Wear a mask, use good handwashing techniques, wash your living area with disinfectant.  

The Massachusetts Department of Health has adopted recommendations from the CDC regarding isolation and quarantine protocols, which the College continues to follow.

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 regardless of vaccination/booster status:

• Must remain in isolation for five days, regardless of having symptoms or not;
• Are required to isolate at home, unless public transportation would need to be accessed;
• Are eligible to leave isolation on Day 6, after five full days of isolation if fever free for 24 hours and symptoms have improved;
• Must wear a mask indoors and outdoors for five days after having completed isolation when unable to maintain appropriate physical distancing;
• Individuals with ongoing symptoms that have not improved must remain in isolation.

“Day 0” refers to the date of onset of symptoms or, if asymptomatic, the date of the positive test. “Day 1” of isolation refers to the day after the positive test, or the day after the onset of symptoms.  (Example: 9/1/2022 you developed nasal congestion. On 9/3/2022 you test positive for COVID-19.  Day 0 of your isolation period would be the day you started having symptoms.)

If you have questions about when it is appropriate to leave isolation, or general questions about these protocols, please call:

- Students call 508-565-1307

- Employees call 508-565-1608

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolating on campus you should plan to obtain your own meals by utilizing the EVERYDAY App. When ordering your food please note in the comment box before checking out, that you will be “picking up in the specialized area” at the Commons.  

The specialized area is designated for students in isolation. The door is across from the fountain outside the Commons. You will open this door and see a shelf with your order. Grab and go. 

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID: 

• You do not need to quarantine as long as you remain asymptomatic, regardless of your vaccination status. You may return to work/school on campus. 
• You must wear a mask any time you are around others inside your home, residence hall, or indoors in public for 10 days following your exposure. 
• Depending on the date of your last exposure, your goal should be to test on day 5 regardless of symptoms. 
• You should self-monitor for COVID symptoms.  
• If you develop symptoms, isolate yourself from others, get tested, and stay home while waiting for the test results. 
• If positive, continue to isolate away from others and call Health Services 508-565-1307 if you are a student. If you are an employee call Employee Health and Wellness 508-565-1608.  
• If negative, you may move about campus without restrictions (with mask around others). 

The College uses an email system to provide isolation guidance to positive individuals.  Positive individuals are asked to fill out a close contact form within the isolation guidance email. Please note that your identity will be kept confidential.  The College will then use email systems to perform contact tracing, and all community members are expected to cooperate with these contract tracing efforts.  

Yes. While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us. The College believes it is important to continue to follow Massachusetts Guidance.

The College highly recommends that all community members stay up to date with COVID vaccinations per CDC guidance.

We highly recommend that all individuals receive their annual flu vaccine. It’s best to be vaccinated before flu begins spreading in your community. However, vaccination is still recommended because flu most commonly peaks in February and significant activity can continue into May.