Return-to-campus procedures - Fall 2021

Student Engagement has been tirelessly preparing for your return to campus. Below you will find information about new college policies, commuter student return to campus, residential student return to campus, COVID-19 test requirements and much more.

Please pay careful attention to this information. All of these plans are designed to protect you in the classroom, dining hall, residence halls and other student spaces.

COVID-19 Policies

1. Masks – All students, faculty, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear masks indoors while on campus. Masks will not be required to be worn in residence hall rooms. The College has a limited number of cloth masks available for pick up in the Dean of Students Office, located in 210 Smith Hall.

2. Vaccination/COVID-19 Negative Test – All students are required to submit one of two items before returning to campus: (1) proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or (2) a PCR COVID negative test result. The specimen collection date of your COVID test must be no more than five days from the date you will be moving onto campus or returning for classes. If you live in Georgia, visit http://covid19.dph.ga.gov/ for free testing site options. All test results should be emailed to housing@m-y-c.net.

a. Commuting Students – Commuting students must submit their proof of vaccination or COVID negative test result to housing@m-y-c.net prior to the first day of classes on August 23, 2021. No student will be allowed to attend classes without submitting proof of vaccination or a COVID negative test.

b. Residential Students – No student will be allowed to move into the residence hall without either proof of vaccination or a COVID negative test.

Students will not be allowed to attend classes in-person without a COVID negative test. Moreover, residential students may have their move-in delayed if their test results have not been received.

3. Guests – All guests to the college will be required to check in at Banks Hall for screening. Students living in residence will not be allowed to have off-campus guests in their residence hall at any time. Commuter students will be allowed in the residence halls during the fall semester. These policies will be strictly enforced, and students found responsible for violating these policies may be removed from on-campus housing.

Quarantine Policies and Procedures

1. All unvaccinated persons directly exposed to COVID-positive individuals MUST be quarantined and excluded from the college setting and all extracurricular activities, regardless of students, professors, or staff wearing masks or the use of physical barriers (e.g., plexiglass). All students required to quarantine must return home for the duration of the quarantine period. Students will long drives home will be allowed up to one night of quarantine in Pitts Hall but must vacate the campus after one night of quarantine.

2. These quarantine guidelines for unvaccinated persons exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID or someone who is suspected of having COVID must be followed.

Symptomatic individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 can return to campus after:

• 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND
• At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND
• Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved

Asymptomatic unvaccinated persons with known exposure, may return if after 10 full days:

• The individual does not experience any COVID symptoms during the quarantine period and must maintain a self-monitoring record
• Persons who return to work or school after 10 days should continue to self-monitor an additional 4 days for COVID symptoms. If any symptoms are experienced once returning to campus, the individual is to quarantine immediately and follow the symptomatic guidelines

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We will continue to share information as other details are finalized. We look forward to seeing you on the Hill!

Brian A. Carlisle, J.D.
Vice President and Dean of Students