Topics
- Vaccinations 9/14/22
- Masking 9/14/22
- Testing 9/14/22
- Isolation/Quarantine 9/14/22
- Facilities/Cleaning and Disinfecting 9/14/22
Vaccinations
What is BSU’s current vaccination policy?
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, BSU requires that all members of the campus community who are attending in-person classes, living in residence halls, conducting research on-campus, participating in any on-campus activities or working on campus to be vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Will a student who is unvaccinated and has not received an exemption be allowed to take in-person classes?
No. All students who are unvaccinated, unexempted and unattested will not be allowed to take in-person classes. Should students come into compliance with the vaccination mandate prior to the end of the add/drop period for the semester, they will be eligible to register for classes via InfoBear once the vaccination hold has been removed, subject to course availability.
Fully online students who are not coming to campus for any purpose will not be required to be vaccinated. All online students who are coming to campus for any purpose must either be fully vaccinated or granted a vaccine exemption.
What if I am a returning student or current employee who already attested to being vaccinated or received an exemption last year. Do I need to reattest or seek a new exemption this year?
If you are a returning student who has already attested to your vaccination status or previously requested and received an exemption from the vaccination mandate, you do NOT need to take any further action for the Fall semester.
What if I am a new student who is starting at BSU this Fall?
All incoming new and transfer students attending Fall classes in-person and/or using BSU facilities are required to be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines. New students can attest to being vaccinated here.
Per the CDC, you are up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have:
- Received all doses in the primary series: Initial 2 Moderna/Pfizer vaccines or your initial single J&J vaccine; and
- Received one booster when you are eligible, either 5 months after completing your primary series of Moderna/Pfizer or two months after your primary series of J&J.
As a new employee, how can I obtain a medical or religious exemption from the vaccine?
If you require an exemption, please complete the appropriate form below. If you have any questions about religious or medical exemptions, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at EO@bridgew.edu:
How will students and employees prove they have met the vaccine requirement?
Students and employees have been asked to complete an online vaccination attestation form.
Can BSU verify that students have received a COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, vaccination attestations are verifiable. BSU has access to the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS) database and can verify student vaccinations. BSU confirms the accuracy of all attestations that we receive.
Will commuter students be required to take the COVID-19 vaccine?
Vaccines are mandatory for undergraduate and graduate students who are attending in-person classes, conducting research on campus and participating in any on-campus activities, or visiting campus for any reason whatsoever.
Will unvaccinated students taking all classes online have access to facilities on campus?
All students engaging in on-campus life or activities must be fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccination prior to accessing on-campus facilities.
Masking
Does BSU require students and employees to wear a mask on campus?
BSU is mask optional throughout most of the campus. As a mask-friendly campus, however, we encourage mask wearing as an effective tool in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Exceptions include:
- Masks will be required for students in all classrooms and instructional spaces during scheduled class times for the Fall semester. However, to provide more flexibility, faculty have the new option of NOT requiring mask wearing in their classes.
- Masks will continue to be required in the Wellness Center, as they are in all health care settings in Massachusetts.
- Employees have the option of requiring that a mask be worn in their individual single-occupancy offices.
Students and employees do NOT need to wear a mask while on BSU transit or in public spaces of the Maxwell Library (unless in a classroom during class time).
Does BSU provide masks to students and employees?
Yes. Free medical procedure masks will be available throughout the academic year to all members of the BSU community.
What if I am in an internship or a practicum placement?
If students are in internship or practicum placements that are not on the BSU campus, they are expected to follow the policies of host company or organization specific to their placement.
Testing
Will residence students be required to test prior to moving into the residence halls in the Fall?
Yes. Students who will live in BSU residence halls will need to provide evidence of a negative COVID test (rapid tests are acceptable) prior to moving into residence halls for the Fall semester.
Are exempted students required to test weekly?
There is no requirement to test weekly. However, BSU strongly encourages exempted students to test weekly by utilizing free rapid tests that will be made available for the campus community.
Does BSU provide tests to students and employees?
Yes. Free rapid test kits will be available to the BSU community through the Wellness Center, the Rondileau Student Union (RSU) Info Desk and the Tinsley Center Info Desk throughout the year.
Will BSU provide PCR testing?
YBSU will provide PCR testing by appointment only this year. If you need a PCR test for travel related to your work or class responsibilities, please contact the Wellness Center to set up a time to test.
What should I do if I tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who tested positive?
We ask that all members of our campus community who are COVID-positive or want to report exposure to COVID, please complete our COVID 19 reporting form. The COVID 19 reporting form provides information for the process of navigating COVID on campus.
Isolation/Quarantine
What is BSU’s isolation protocols?
How we isolate is changing in response to guidance from the CDC but is still vitally important to limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Just like staying home when you’re sick is important, following isolation protocols also protects your friends and classmates.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you must stay home for at least 5 full days and isolate from others in your home.
When can I return to campus after testing positive for COVID-19?
If you had no symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
If you had symptoms, You may end isolation after day 5 if:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
- Your symptoms are improving
If you still have fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve.
You should continue to wear a mask for 5 days following the end of your isolation.
Should I quarantine if I come in contact with someone testing positive for COVID-19?
Currently, the CDC recommends that persons with recent exposure should wear a mask indoors in public for 10 days and test more than 5 days after last exposure. For more information check the CDC COVID exposure page.
Facilities/Cleaning and Disinfecting
What can I expect with regard to cleaning and disinfecting classrooms and other areas on campus?
BSU Custodial Services operates 24 hours per day/seven days per week. Classrooms that are utilized will be cleaned and disinfected daily. Restrooms in buildings where classes will be held will be cleaned and disinfected routinely throughout the day, while restrooms in buildings without classes will be cleaned and disinfected a minimum of once per day.
I am concerned about indoor air quality. How does BSU manage this?
All BSU buildings meet or exceed building ventilation air change rates established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Our building preventative maintenance schedule includes the timely change of air filters that ensure systems are operating efficiently and safely.