Campus Update | Fall 2021
Fall 2021 | Updated Mask Mandate
Reinstated COVID-19 Indoor Mask Mandate
As we continue to monitor the rates of COVID-19 and the guidance offered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), New York State, and New York City regarding best practices for health and safety, our optimism for the end of this pandemic continues to be challenged. With the recent change in CDC mask recommendations for vaccinated individuals, and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s indoor mask recommendations where the vaccination status of other people is unknown, the indoor mask mandate has been reinstituted at the Mount in hallway passing and public spaces.
As previously announced, all members of the Mount community (i.e., students and employees) are required to be vaccinated with only approved medical or religious exemptions allowed. If you have not submitted your vaccination records or sought approval for medical/religious exemptions, do so as soon as possible. You can view our Vaccination Requirements and upload your documents online.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fully authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. All employees have been asked to upload their vaccination records, or approved medical or religious exemption, to the system prior to the start of the Fall semester on Tuesday, September 7—there are no exceptions.
Students will also have to meet the same requirement, on a slightly expanded timeline of October 15. Recognizing that some may not have had access to, or support to be vaccinated, we will provide on-campus vaccine clinics for students, prior to and at the start of the Fall semester.
Because vaccination rates have stalled and the Delta Variant is taking hold, the guidance for how best to preserve the health and safety of our community continues to change. One of the many reasons the University of Mount Saint Vincent is requiring COVID-19 vaccination for the 2021-2022 academic year is because our mission and values call us to commit to human dignity and a full appreciation of our obligations to each other. Our mission and values call us to action, which in this instance includes taking the necessary steps for the health of our community.
As the situation evolves, we’ll continue to share updates we make to keep our community safe. We encourage you to review our COVID-19 Resources for more information.
Fall 2021 | Campus Plan
Public Health COVID-19 Protocol
The following changes to the College’s COVID-19 protocol take effect immediately for individuals who are fully vaccinated:
- Social distancing is not required on campuses or in classrooms.
- Offices and research labs can operate at full density.
- Daily health screening surveys and COVID-19 clearance passes are no longer required for anyone to enter campus, including employees, students, vendors, and guests.
- There are no limits on the size of gatherings.
- Additional pandemic-related cleaning and disinfection protocols are no longer required.
- Dining facilities can resume normal capacity and hours of operation.
- On-campus activities, events, and camps can operate without restrictions.
- Athletic, recreational, and fitness centers/spaces can operate without restrictions. Additionally, whereas all state restrictions on college athletics are rolled back, we will continue to comply with any guidance required by the NCAA and Skyline Conference.
Per the CDC guidance, as we implement these changes in protocol for vaccinated individuals, we still require those who are not vaccinated or have medical or religious exemptions to wear masks indoors and socially distance as needed to ensure their health and safety.
Academic Instruction
The University of Mount Saint Vincent will follow the 2021-2022 academic calendar. Please review the undergraduate and graduate calendars as they pertain to you.
Residential Life, Student Activities, and Athletics
There are no limits on the size of gatherings and on-campus activities, events, and camps can operate without restrictions.
Clubs, organizations, and all student activities will continue once students are back on campus—still with health and safety in mind. Clubs will meet regularly and the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, and all clubs will offer in-person programs and events at full capacity.
Athletic, recreational, and fitness centers/spaces can operate without restrictions. Additionally, whereas all state restrictions on college athletics are rolled back, we will continue to comply with any guidance required by the NCAA and Skyline Conference. That said, we continue to provide our student athletes meaningful and safe experiences with their teammates and coaches. Further information about specific sports will be communicated with student athletes and updates on competitions, as available, will be provided on our athletics website.
COVID-19 Vaccine and Incentives
While protecting yourself, your loved ones, and the Mount community against COVID-19 is the greatest prize of all after the past year, we plan to throw in a little something extra to reward those who have gotten their shot—and to encourage the entire College community to participate.
From full-tuition scholarships to a new MacBook and free food to round trip airfare, the Mount has gathered some ‘phintastic prizes as rewards for getting your shot.
Stay tuned for the four drawings on September 15 and October 16!
Proof of immunization is required for the incentivized prizes* at the Mount. Those who cannot receive the vaccine for medical reasons and sincerely held religious beliefs will also be included in the giveaway once their exemption has been approved. The College community is encouraged to visit our COVID-19 resources for more information on vaccination requirements. Please visit our Health Services page and Self-Service to confirm your vaccination status or request an exemption.
Employees are required to upload their vaccination records or approved medical or religious exemptions.
Dining Services
Our dining facilities—Hudson Heights and Mag’s Kitchen Grab and Go—will open their doors at normal capacity and resume regular hours of operation.
Shuttle Services
Shuttle services will resume on September 7, 2021 to coincide with the first day of classes. Face coverings will be required, but seating is available at full capacity.
Campus Offices, Classrooms, and Laboratories
Offices and research labs can operate at full density.
*The value of all incentivized prizes may be taxable to the recipient.