September 3: COVID Response Protocols Update

 

Dear Members of the Stonehill Community,

The College continues to review and monitor guidance from federal and state public health officials. The following provides our current COVID-19 Protocols. Please know that these protocols may change as guidance changes. 

Create a Seating Chart

A person who was within six feet of the person for 15 minutes or more is defined as a close contact. Our contact tracing team is asking that you assist them by doing the following: 

• If your class size allows for it, encourage students to spread out in the room so they are more than 6 feet apart (for example, sit every other desk). 
• Encourage students to sit in the same seat for every class and have them “get to know their eight” (i.e., the eight students sitting around them). 
• Create a seating chart.  This does not have to be anything elaborate; a basic chart showing student names that includes the course name, course number, and section is sufficient. Any format is acceptable.  It can be emailed to mavila@stonehill.edu, or you can drop a copy off the next time you test. 

Surveillance (Asymptomatic) Testing

All unvaccinated and vaccinated (“unvax” and “vax”) employees must participate in weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing. Testing for employees will be conducted on campus in Alumni Hall: 

• Monday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
• Tuesday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
• Wednesday 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 
• Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
• Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (make-up day; by appointment only)   

Employees who do not wish to test on campus, may submit a negative test on their own. Currently the College will accept a negative PCR test or antigen test. Email the results to Monique Avila, Director of the Testing Center, at mavila@stonehill.edu.  

Symptomatic Testing

The College will provide symptomatic testing of employees in certain circumstances. However, anyone who is symptomatic should always contact and follow the advice of their primary medical advisor. On campus testing will usually be performed outside of Alumni Hall via a drive-by test.  Symptomatic testing must be pre-approved by contacting the COVID Testing Center Director/Employee Wellness Coordinator, Monique Avila (tel:508-565-1608). 

Mask Protocols

The College will continue to follow Massachusetts guidelines for mask wearing and physical distancing for both vax and unvax individuals.  Essentially, masks are required indoors, in public-facing areas (except when actively eating in cafeterias and serveries). Masks are encouraged but not required in residence halls for vaccinated individuals. Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals in residence halls. Certain areas in residence halls may be designated as Mask Required spaces. If this is the case, the area will be clearly marked with signs. However, in general, the residence halls are not designated as public facing. 

Quarantine and Isolation Protocols

There is no difference between how we are handling the quarantine advice for employees versus students. 

• Vaccinated close contact without symptoms: no quarantine required and monitor for symptoms 
• Unvaccinated close contact without symptoms: 10-day quarantine 
• Vaccinated or unvaccinated close contact with symptoms: 14-day quarantine 
• Vaccinated or unvaccinated who test positive: 10-day isolation 

Meeting Protocols

Employees are encouraged to continue to meet face-to-face when reasonable to do so, but the use of video conferencing tools like Zoom is also available when it creates efficiencies for meetings. It is very understandable that some individuals, whether vax or unvax, may feel more comfortable wearing masks in many indoor situations.  Employees should always feel comfortable doing so. 

Hosting Visitors and/or Events on Campus 

Those who plan to host visitors on campus should review the specific protocols regarding visitor registration and campus access.  Also, we have compiled a comprehensive set of guidance regarding the hosting of events or programs on campus. 

 

Sincerely,

DeBrenna L. Agbényiga, PhD, MBA, MSW
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Office of the Provost
provost-office@stonehill.edu
(508) 565-1311