Our Proactive Approach
As COVID-19 continues to affect lives across the globe, the senior management team at Anna Maria College has been proactively working with students, faculty, and staff in preparation for the changes that are occurring on a daily, if not hourly basis. In order to keep you as informed as possible, we have assembled a list of important dates and actions that we are taking to protect our community during these unprecedented times.
Update, January 4, 2022:
Dear AMC Community,
I hope your New Year is off to an enjoyable and healthy start. With the beginning of the new semester two weeks away, I want to provide this update on our plans for a safe return and appreciate your continued cooperation with our COVID-19 protocols.
This communication addresses:
- New booster requirement;
- Schedule changes and testing arrangements for return;
- Information for new students; and
- New isolation guidelines.
The CDC has strengthened its recommendation on COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for individuals who are 16 years and older. The prevalence of the Omicron variant emphasizes the importance of utilizing these vaccines. For 2022, Anna Maria College is joining the growing list of colleges and universities in requiring a booster dose for all students, faculty and staff. This requirement will be effective February 28, so that eligible individuals have adequate time to receive their shot. Read More.
More Information
COVID-19 Health & Safety ProtocolsCOVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols
Together, we are responsible for keeping our Anna Maria College community safe and healthy. By individually following college protocols and practices to prevent the spread of coronavirus, we create a safe campus for us all. For community members or visitors if you are sick or symptomatic we ask that you stay home.
2021-2022 Academic Year COVID Vaccination Policy
Anna Maria College requires all students and employees to be fully vaccinated by the date they arrive on campus. The college also requires some third-party visitors and vendors (contractors) to be vaccinated, depending on the nature of their work on campus.
“Fully vaccinated” means two weeks have passed since your final dose of a U.S. Federal Drug Administration or World Health Organization listed COVID-19 vaccine.
For 2022, Anna Maria College is joining the growing list of colleges and universities in requiring a booster dose for all students, faculty and staff. This requirement will be effective February 28, so that eligible individuals have adequate time to receive their shot. After receiving a booster there is no waiting period, you are considered “boosted” as soon as you receive your immunization.
2022 Guidelines
Masking
At this time cloth masks and neck gaiters are no longer allowed mask types on campus. All individuals must use either a surgical mask, N95, KN95, or KF94 for masking. This is based on emerging science about the Omicron Covid-19 virus variant that cloth masks and gaithers do not provide adequate protection against transmission compared to higher filtration masks. Surgical mask dispensing stations have been set up in high traffic and common areas around campus to allow for easy access. Health Services encourages using the highest filtration mask available to you.
Indoors | Masks are required indoors at all times, for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, except when alone in a bedroom (or with a roommate), in an enclosed workspace, or when eating. Athletes who are competing in indoor sports are allowed to remove their masks only when playing, when on the sidelines or on the bench, masks are required. |
Outdoors | Although masks are not mandatory outdoors, we welcome those who would like to continue to wear them. We advise everyone to wear masks in crowded situations. For unvaccinated individuals, masks are required outdoors unless a 6-foot distance from others can be achieved. For major events on campus, the mask requirements will be communicated prior to the event. |
Testing
Vaccinated Community Members | Vaccinated students and employees are required to be tested twice weekly. This will be done in partnership with the Broad Institute and a PCR test. |
Unvaccinated Community Members | Unvaccinated students and employees are required to be tested twice weekly. At least one of the tests must be a PCR test run through the Anna Maria College testing facility. |
*Note that athletes may be required to test more than the above testing requirements depending on the regulations of the team or NCAA
Positive Cases
Please refer to THIS document is you have tested positive for Covid-19.
Additional Guidence:
- Residential Students: must complete a full 10 day isolation, regardless of isolation location. May test out of isolation starting on day 6 with a negative rapid antigen test (a home test is fine).
- Commuter Students and Employees: must complete a full 7 day isolation, and may test out of isolation starting on day 6 with a negative rapid antigen test (a home test is fine).
Close Contact Exposure to Covid-19
Please refer to THIS document if you have been exposed to Covid-19 or identified as a close contact to someone who tested positive for Covid-19.
- Commuter students, Employees, and Residential students who live 200miles or closer to the Anna Maria College campus are required to quarantine at home.
- Residential students who live more than 200 miles from campus will be prioritized for on-campus quarantine space. On-campus quarantine space is very limited, and you may be asked to quarantine in place. Health Services and Residential Life will discuss details with you if this is the case.
I Am Having Symptoms of Covid-19
Please refer to THIS document for detailed information if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19.
General Guidance: If you are experiencing Covid-like symptoms you need to self-isolate and get tested. Call Health Services at 508-849-3315 for help getting tested or, after hours and on the weekends, call the Residential Director on-call at 508-527-9123
General Guidance
Visitors in Residence Halls | No external guests are to be hosted in the residence halls. Requests for exceptions should be directed to the Director of Residence Life, Jake Boillat. All guests must follow all Anna Maria College health and safety protocols, if they do not, they will be banned from campus. Anna Maria students are allowed to visit other residence halls. |
Meetings and Gatherings | Gatherings of members of the Anna Maria College community are allowed. External presenters, trainers or lecturers are allowed, but must follow all Anna Maria health and safety guidelines. |
Admissions Visitors | Campus tours and activities are available. Please contact the Anna Maria College Admissions Department at admissions@annamaria.edu or visit the Admissions Webpage for more information. |
Visitors to Campus and Sporting Events | Visitors are permitted to some campus and sporting events. All visitors to campus events must adhere to the Anna Maria College health and safety guidelines. |