COVID-19 Campus Guidelines & Regulations

These are unprecedented times, but here at Maria College we are committed to doing all we can to minimize the disruption to your education that can occur given the ever-changing circumstances we are facing. Ensuring a safe reopening and return to campus will involve all of us! Our reopening plans have focused on the safe return to campus and providing students with flexibility and options designed to meet their specific needs. We will communicate any changes to campus operations to our community via email (your mariacollege.edu account) and through this webpage.

If you live in NY state, click here to view available Covid Vaccination sites and to schedule your vaccine appointment.

Available Covid Vaccination Sites (updated 4/28/21 at 5:55am):

Vaccination Site

Vaccine Available

Dates/Times Available

Appointment

Times Union Center

51 South Pearl Street, Albany

Pfizer

Thursday, April 29 (2pm-7pm)

Appointment required.

Academics

Student Support

Health & Safety

“Let us take one day only in hands, at a time, merely making a resolve for tomorrow, thus we may hope to get on taking short, careful steps, not great strides.” -Catherine McAuley, Founder of the Sisters of Mercy

Daily Activities

Testing Requirements: You must provide a negative test within 5 days before returning to campus at the start of the semester. Find out more about testing requirements here.

Health Screenings: All students and employees must complete the daily health screening on the ShareMyHealth app only on days they are coming to campus to allow them campus access. All students and employees coming to Maria College campus for any reason must monitor their symptoms and stay home if they’re sick. Review a list of possible COVID-19 symptoms on the CDC website.

ID Badges: In order to get access into any of the buildings, you must have your ID Badge with you to swipe into the building and have the ShareMyHealth screening completed that day for the badge to work.

Surveillance Testing: Click here to learn more about surveillance testing requirements.

Face Coverings: Facial coverings for the nose and mouth are required to be worn by all community members in public spaces on campus.

Social Distancing: Social distancing is to be practiced in classrooms, public spaces, and laboratories (where feasible). Please observe all posted signage.

Hand Washing & Hygiene: Adequate hand washing is the preferred method of hand hygiene. Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol will be available for use in all common areas when hand washing stations or sinks are not available.

Communication: Your college email account and the Blackboard (Bb) page will be the primary methods of communication on the college operations and individual courses. Be sure to check both frequently.

Student Support: All functions of the Frank E. O’Brien, Jr. Student Support Center are here to support you! Please reach out to them if you have questions or need assistance: studentaffairs@mariacollege.edu or refer to staff listing.

Hours of Operation for Frank E. O’Brien, Jr. Student Support Center:
Monday-Thursday: 8:00am-6:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Weekend College: 10:00am-4:00pm

For information about Maria College’s participation in CARES Act funding, click here.

Safety Practices
What practices has Maria College implemented in an attempt to protect the health of students, faculty, and staff who are on campus?
- A COVID Task Force has been created to develop policy and procedures relating to the ongoing pandemic.
- A Nurse Practitioner has been retained to be the College’s COVID Point-of-Care Coordinator.
- Training for faculty and staff has been developed and implemented.
- Most of the classes are occurring virtually to minimize presence on campus.
- Rooms used for in-person classes have had occupancies reduced by 50% to achieve proper distancing.
- Many of the work-related activities are occurring remotely with rotations having been established for those who are required to be on campus.
- Signage encouraging proper distancing, mask use, and hand washing have been installed throughout the buildings of the College.
- A valid ID card is required for entry to any of the buildings on campus.
- Daily health screening must be performed for campus access.
- All people coming onto campus for the Spring ‘21 semester must be initially tested within 5 days of arriving on campus for the first time and surveillance testing will occur throughout the semester.
- Suitable face coverings are required of all who are on campus.
- Hand sanitizer stations have been widely installed across all the buildings on campus.
- HEPA air filers have been installed in all the rooms used for in-person instruction.
- Surfaces in rooms that have been used are sanitized after occupancy.
FAQ's

How can the buildings on campus be accessed?

A valid Maria College ID card is required for access to any of the buildings on campus. You will be required to swipe at each entry point. In order for your ID card to be activated you must have completed the daily health screening using the Share My Health app and have a negative COVID test on file.

All Student Support services have been transitioned to online and remote delivery methods and are fully accessible. If you have any questions about these services, please email studentsupport@mariacollege.edu.

How can screening be accomplished?
Students, faculty, and staff click the Share My Health link that arrives daily by text to answer the health screening questions. Visitors to the campus can perform the screening at a guard station when they arrive on campus.

Why is there an exclamation point on my daily health screener?
You need a negative COVID test on file and to take the daily health screener.

What if I am having trouble with my Share My Health account?
Contact the help desk: helpdesk@mariacollege.edu

What if I fail the screening?
You will be directed as to what you should do, e.g., contact the college’s COVID Care Coordinator at covidcare@mariacollege.edu or (518) 764-4718) or your health care provider, by the Share My Health app.

How do I schedule a COVID test?
Link to testing memo

What do I do if I test positive for COVID?
You will need to abide by the Department of Health guidelines. Contact the Covid Care Coordinator at covidcare@mariacollege.edu or call (518) 764-4718.

Do I still need testing if I’ve had the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes

Am I eligible for the COVID vaccine?
To determine if you are eligible the COVID vaccine visit the NYS COVID-19 vaccine website.

What do I do if I feel unwell and need to come to campus or clinical experience?
Contact the Covid Care Coordinator, (Covidcare@mariacollege.edu; 518.764.4718)

What do I do if I’ve been in contact with someone who has COVID-19?
You will be required to quarantine and get tested prior to coming back onto campus. Contact the COVID Care Coordinator at covidcare@mariacollege.edu or call (518) 764-4718.

What is considered an exposure?
Being within 6 feet of someone who is positive for COVID for at least 15 minutes.

What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
Quarantine separates and restricts the movements of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. Isolation separates people sick with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. Click here for more information.

How do I access emotional support?
Contact Maria College Counseling Services at counseling@mariacollege.edu

Are there accommodations available to students who are mandated to quarantine or self-isolate due to exposure or a positive test, who are identified as at higher risk for severe illness or complications from COVID-19, or who care for a household member who are identified as at higher risk for severe illness or complications from COVID-19?

Yes, such students should contact accessibilityservices@mariacollege.edu and apply for Temporary Accommodations. Click here for more details.

What Maria College’s face covering requirements?
All people are required to properly wear a suitable face covering at all times while on campus.

Where can I find NYS travel advisory info?
Go to the NYS Travel advisory website or call 1.888.364.3065.

Further information about the virus can be found on the DOH’s Coronavirus website: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

Where can I get the CARES Act Disclosure Information

As required by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), colleges who have received Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Student Grant funding are required to report on use of the funds received. The information can be found here.