We all start our correspondences these days with “I hope you are well,” but it is indeed a heartfelt sentiment even if common. It is no less heartfelt now as we talk about what that means for us to be back on campus—in person!—for classes and events. As part of the University System of Maryland, managed by the University of Maryland, USMSM will maintain a couple protocols as we emerge from our isolation.
Although the State of Maryland has lifted capacity limits as of May 15, entities are allowed to maintain their own policies as appropriate. USMSM will still expect some distancing in seating/meeting areas. For groups of 10 or fewer, vaccinated individuals can go without masks. For groups of 11 or larger, all individuals should wear masks.
USMSM Staff Assistants will no longer need to do temperature checks or contact tracing sheets at the entrances of the buildings. However, building access will still be restricted until further notice, and individuals entering the buildings will still need to sign in, and note that they are not experiencing symptoms, and that if they are unvaccinated, they understand they are expected to wear a mask. (UMCP staff are exempt, as they are expected to continue using the COVID-19 app.)
USMSM staff:
If you are vaccinated, you can choose to not wear a mask when there are no events or programs on site. If, however, you are interacting with others whose vaccination status is uncertain, you should don your mask. If you are vaccinated, your information should be loaded on the UMCP site and you should continue to be tested monthly. If you are not vaccinated and do not have a medical or religious waiver on file with UMCP HR, you must wear a mask; furthermore, according to UMCP requirements, you must be tested twice weekly and have those results posted on the UMCP COVID site as required. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action.
USMSM University Partner Coordinators, Faculty and Students:
If you are an employee of one of the USM schools, your institution should have a protocol for vaccination reporting. USMSM will work on the honor system until we are notified by our partner institutions that individuals affiliated with the USMSM have been vaccinated or have a medical or religious waiver on file with their home institution. As with all individuals entering one of the USMSM buildings, you will need to sign in, indicate that you are symptom free and agree to wearing a mask if you are unvaccinated. In-person classes of 11 or greater should maintain masking until further notice.
Visitors to USMSM:
Individual visitors will still need to use designated entrances and sign in by entering name and acknowledging being symptom free and understanding mask protocol. Groups on site for events will need to continue to maintain distance in any area in which the event is held, and individuals are expected to mask independent of vaccination status if the group size is 11 or greater. Organizations may have a stricter protocol and event organizers are free to expect adherence to that level of protocol.
These expectations may change given conditions in the county or state, or any mandates from the CDC or the USM.
Looking forward to seeing you onsite/in person!
Eileen
Dr. Eileen D. Abel
Executive Director
University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland