COVID-19 Info

Every member of the Mount community will be expected to fully comply with the policies, protocols and guidelines included in the Return to Campus Plan in order to reduce the health risk to students and employees.

By implementing multiple layers of protection, we achieve the best possible protection. The five key Layers of Protection that everyone in the Mount community can impact are:

• Face Coverings – must be worn when in the presence of others.
• Physical Distancing – stay at least 6’ from others at all times; stay out of crowded places; and obey posted room occupancy limits.
• Handwashing – wash hands often for at least 20 seconds or when not readily available, hand sanitizer should be used.
• Self-Quarantine – if symptomatic, or you were in close contact with someone who tested posted for COVID-19 (closer than 6’ for 15 minutes or longer) stay home or in your resident room; notify HR (if employee) or Dean of Students (if student) immediately if tested positive for COVID-19.
• Limiting Exposure – Travel outside of US is banned; supervisors must approve overnight business travel; postpone or limit business travel, if possible; comply with other reporting/testing protocols as designated by the University.

Employees experiencing difficulties wearing a face mask may seek an accommodation because of a pre-existing medical condition through the Office of Human Resources. In these circumstances, a face shield may be provided. Students may seek the same support through the Dean of Students Office.

There have been many changes and new procedures implemented in a relatively short period of time. Everyone is adjusting to a new normal.

Therefore, the university will engage in a variety of compliance approaches:

Pre-Emptive

The University has designated students and others across campus to monitor public spaces to help set the tone for physical distancing, wearing of face coverings, etc.

Mitigation

Step One: The best way to encourage employees, students and visitors to follow the Mount’s policies/guidelines is by setting the example and being consistent. Please take the Mount Safety Pledge seriously.

Step Two: If someone forgets one of the policies/guidelines, politely remind them. Conversely, if you forgot, do not be offended when someone reminds you.

Tip: Approach the person by saying, “I would feel more comfortable if…you wore your face covering in this public space properly by placing it over your nose, etc.”

Step Three: If you are not comfortable doing this, or this turns out to be ineffective, contact HR or your supervisor (if employee) or the Dean of Students (if student) to address the situation.

Step Four: If you are not comfortable turning to HR or your supervisor, employees and students may use the anonymous compliance reporting program, EthicsPoint, to report a violation. Reports can be filed under the Category: Risk and Safety Matters – Environmental and Safety Matters.

Report a Violation

Step Five: Violations (e.g., blatant disregard for infection prevention measures) may result in the immediate revocation of building access privileges, disciplinary action, and/or other interventions.

According to Maryland Department of Health (Advisory of 17 December 2020, 12.17.2020 MDH Public COVID-19 Advisory.pdf), we are all directed to avoid “social gatherings” of more than 10 people which includes but is not limited to parties, cookouts, receptions, and celebrations.

For “normal business operations” which would include classes, academic activities, athletics, co-curricular activities, meetings, assemblies, and other business activities, the indoor gathering size limit is 25 (Frederick County Board of Health,13 December 2020 (REGULATION NO. BOH 02-2020). Exceptions to this rule would be facilities that are specifically identified in other orders like athletic facilities, fitness centers, and religious facilities.

The long-term disinfectant, Enviroshield Endure (SD90+), is an organosilane (silicon based chemical). It is the latter that polymerizes to the surfaces and remains on surfaces up to 180 days (in some claims they mention up to a year). Once applied it becomes safe for reoccupancy in about an hour. As opposed to most disinfectants, the method of microbial kill for SD90+ is mechanical, not chemical. The silicon creates at a molecular level a crystalline structure that effectively disrupts cell walls (protein or lipid based).

The manufacturer has stated that “Clorox wipes” and the like will not harm the product or reduce its efficacy.

Forms of aggression go directly against Mount St. Mary’s University’s Code of Ethical Behavior. There is zero tolerance for all forms of aggression. Incidents may result in removal from University facilities and prosecution.

Examples of Aggressive Behavior

• Verbal harassment, threats or abusive language.
• Gestures.
• Racist or derogatory comments directed at others.
• Sexual language directed at others.
• Failure to respond to staff instructions. This includes failure to comply with screening or to appropriately wear a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Physical assault.

If at any time you have any security concerns, please contact the Department of Public Safety at Ext. 5357.

Do not come to work or go to classes. (If you are at work, leave immediately.) If you are concerned that you may have contracted COVID-19, seek medical advice by using a tele-health service, calling your healthcare provider, or calling the Health Center. They will conduct a symptom scan by phone and provide guidance on next steps. If you are an employee, contact Human Resources, if you are a student, contact the Dean of Students¹.

These recommendations remain true if you are fully vaccinated and have COVID-19 symptoms. Although the risk that fully vaccinated individuals could become infected with COVID-19 is low, any fully vaccinated person who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate themselves and be evaluated by a healthcare professional. The symptomatic fully vaccinated person should inform their healthcare provider of their vaccination status.

¹The Dean of Students will have oversight for all traditional undergraduate students (resident or commuter); however, the Rector of the Seminary shall have oversight for all seminarians and the Associate Provost for the Division of Graduate, Professional and Continuing and Education shall have oversight for all graduate and accelerated students.

• If the individual is an employee contact Human Resources, if they are a student contact the Dean of Students.
• The sick individual should isolate themselves in their office, car or outside alone, and call their healthcare provider or the Health Center for further phone evaluation and decisions about next steps.

If an individual becomes ill while at work or during class, they should be directed to go home immediately (if an employee) or to go to the Health Center (if a student), even if their symptoms are mild.

In addition, supervisors and/or faculty members may address a particular situation if an individual may be exhibiting symptoms so as to ascertain whether or not the individual should be directed to go home or seek care from the Health Center. Notification should be made immediately to Human Resources in the event of an employee, or the Dean of Students in the case of a student.

Someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.

For more information, please visit the CDC's Glossary of Key Terms.

The CDC does not recommend self-quarantine; rather, the individual should continue to self-monitor for symptoms. Concerned individuals can also seek out COVID-19 testing.

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their healthcare provider.

Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom (if available).

Under CDC guidelines, individuals who have had close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual must self-quarantine (see care instructions above for quarantine). However, the length of the quarantine may differ depending upon the proximity of the close contact with the COVID-19 positive individual.

Will not have further close contact – Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and IF NO SYMPTOMS have been reported. OR Quarantine can end after Day 7 IF a diagnostic specimen test is collected no sooner than Day 5 (average incubation period) and is negative and IF NO SYMPTOMS have been reported.

Live with person but can avoid further close contact – Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and IF NO SYMPTOMS have been reported. OR Quarantine can end after Day 7 IF a diagnostic specimen test is collected no sooner than Day 5 (average incubation period) and is negative and IF NO SYMPTOMS have been reported.

Under quarantine and had additional close contact with COVID-19 positive individual – Restart quarantine from the last day you had close contact with anyone in your house/room who has COVID. Anytime a new household/roommate gets sick with COVID and you had close contact, you will need to restart quarantine.

Live with person and cannot avoid continued close contact – Avoid contact to the extent possible. Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and IF NO SYMPTOMS have been reported. OR Quarantine can end after Day 7 IF a diagnostic specimen test is collected no sooner than Day 5 (average incubation period) and is negative and IF NO SYMPTOMS have been reported.

No. People infected with COVID-19 can take up to 14 days to develop symptoms. The individual must finish the full 14 days of quarantine.

• Encourage the individual to be tested for COVID-19. Until results are available, the individual must self-isolate. The individual must remain in self-isolation for 14 days after symptoms started AND 24 hours after fever has resolved AND symptoms improved.
• The university will initiate deep cleaning and disinfection protocols.
• Begin identifying individuals with whom the suspected individual may have had close contact. Close contact means someone was closer than six feet for more than 15 minutes from an individual who is positive for COVID-19. It does not matter if the individuals were wearing face coverings.
• If the individual ends up testing positive, the exposed individuals identified as close contacts must self-quarantine for 14 days following the close contact.

• Instruct the positive individual to stay home and self-isolate if an employee or if a residential student, the university will arrange for self-isolation.
  • The individual should not return to work/classes for at least 10 days after symptoms first started AND 24 hours after fever has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medicines AND symptoms have vastly improved.
  • The university will meet its obligation to notify the Mount community.
  • IMPORTANT: It is against the law to identify this individual by name. The university will not disclose to other staff/students or third parties the name or other personal or health information of the individual who tested positive for COVID-19.
• The university will arrange to thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and other elements of the environment of the individual, along with frequently touched surfaces and objects such as doorknobs/push bars, elevator buttons, restroom doors, etc., use EPA-approved disinfectants and use according to label instructions.
• Within 24 hours of learning that an individual has tested positive for COVID-19, the university will notify the Frederick County Department of Public Health.
• Members of the Mount St. Mary’s community are required to cooperate with contact tracing efforts, including notification of potential contacts, while maintaining confidentiality required by state and federal law and regulations.

Those with no current symptoms of COVID-19 do not have to quarantine, and retesting is not recommended;

Those with symptoms, should begin self-isolation immediately for 10 days after symptom onset and consult with a medical provider to determine if they may have been re-infected with COVID-19 or if symptoms are caused by another illness.

Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to quarantine or be tested following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, as their risk of infection is low. Fully vaccinated people who do not quarantine should still monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure. If they experience symptoms, they should isolate themselves and follow the guidance above for fully vaccinated individuals with COVID-19 symptoms.

Mount St. Mary’s University determined eligibility as students who are eligible under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. The criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. The Mount estimates 1,968 students meet this eligibility criteria.

Supplemental aid from HEERF II of $839,500 is anticipated to be distributed via check the week of April 19, 2021, unless the student has consented to apply those funds to their outstanding account balance.

To be considered for the supplemental aid, eligible undergraduate students had to have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) which has been processed as of February 26, 2021 and enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours for the Spring 2021 semester, by February 12, 2021. To prioritize students with the most need, the Mount awarded undergraduate students who were eligible to receive Pell Grant funds $875. Eligible undergraduate students who did not receive a Pell Grant but had an expected family contribution (EFC) less than $50,000 on their FAFSA were awarded $500. Eligible adult accelerated undergraduate students who were eligible to receive Pell Grant funds were awarded $750. Eligible adult accelerated undergraduate students, who did not receive a Pell Grant with an EFC of less than $50,000 were awarded $375.

A total of 1,308 eligible undergraduate students have been awarded HEERF II supplemental student aid totaling $839,500. These funds were distributed between April 22, 2021, and April 27, 2021, via check unless the student has consented to apply those funds to their outstanding account balance.

All HEERF II supplemental student aid has been disbursed as of April 27, 2021. Please consider this our final report.

Mount St. Mary’s University (the Mount) required a 2020-21 FAFSA to have been filed and processed as of February 26, 2021.

Please contact your tax consultant regarding the taxability of the funds.

No. The funds that will be provided by the HEERF II are grants, so they do not need to be repaid.

The money you will be receiving is yours. You do not need to show receipts. The funds will be provided to assist eligible students who incurred expenses related to their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

In order to receive funding under HEERF II you must:

• Have filed a 2020-21 FAFSA which has been processed as of February 26, 2021.
• Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.*
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security Number.
• Be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours in an undergraduate program for spring 2021 semester, by February 12, 2021, at the Mount.
• Meet minimum satisfactory academic progress standards.
• Have an expected family contribution of less than $50,000.
• Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
• Not have federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale.

*The Mount estimates 1,968 students are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive HEERF II Grants to students under section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA).

You are eligible for supplemental student aid from HEERF II if you were enrolled exclusively in an online program on February 12, 2021.

For questions on the eligibility and/or awarding of the supplemental student aid from HEERF II please email mountcovidaid@msmary.edu or call Renee Ginn at 301-447-5382.

All students who are or were enrolled in an institution of higher education during the COVID-19 national emergency are eligible for emergency financial aid grants from the HEERF. As under the CRRSAA, institutions are directed with the ARP funds to prioritize students with exceptional need.

To be considered for the phase I supplemental aid and prioritize students with the most need, the Mount determined eligibility as:

• Returning undergraduate student;
• Enrolled full time for the Fall 2021 semester by August 18, 2021;
• Filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) that has been processed as of August 18, 2021;
• Not suspended from financial aid; and
• Eligible to receive a Pell Grant.

A total of 315 eligible undergraduate students have been awarded $100 of the HEERF III phase I supplemental student aid, totaling $31,500. These funds are to be distributed via check the week of August 30, 2021.

Mount St. Mary’s University (the Mount) required a 2021-22 FAFSA to have been filed and processed as of August 18, 2021.

No. Emergency financial aid grants made by a federal agency, State, Indian tribe, higher education institution or scholarship-granting organization (including a tribal organization) to a student because of an event related to the COVID-19 national emergency are not included in the student's gross income. For more information, please see the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) bulletin Emergency aid granted to students due to COVID is not taxable (March 30, 2021).

No. The funds that will be provided by the HEERF III are grants, so they do not need to be repaid.

They money you will be receiving is yours. You do not need to show receipts. The funds will be provided to assist eligible students who incurred expenses related to their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

In order to receive funding under phase I of HEERF III you must:

• Be a returning undergraduate student;
• Enrolled full time for the Fall 2021 semester by August 18, 2021;
• Filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) which has been processed as of August 18, 2021;
• Not suspended from financial aid; and
• Eligible to receive a Pell Grant.

You are eligible for phase I supplemental student aid from HEERF III if you were enrolled full time exclusively in an online program on August 18, 2021.

Yes. The Mount is required to disburse an additional $2,255,466 as supplemental student aid using HEERF III funds. The Mount is developing the guidelines for disbursing the funds and anticipates announcing the methodology in the next few weeks.

For questions on eligibility for and/or awarding of the supplemental student aid from HEERF III, please email MountCovidAid@msmary.edu or call Renee Ginn at 301-447-5382.

Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. The criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. The Mount estimates 1,462 students meet this eligibility criteria.

In order to distribute funds to students with the highest need as quickly as possible, the Mount awarded CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants in two phases. Emergency Financial Aid Grants awarded in Phase 1 of $433,565 were mailed to students on or before Friday, May 22, 2020. Emergency Financial Aid Grants awarded in Phase 2 of $405,680 were distributed via check on September 10, 2020.

To be considered for an award, eligible students had to have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) and enrolled in classes for the spring 2020 semester.

Additionally, the student must have been enrolled in classes that did not take place exclusively online prior to March 13, 2020 and meet other defined criteria. To prioritize students with the most need, the Mount awarded undergraduate Pell Grant recipients $600. Undergraduate students who did not receive a Pell Grant but had an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than $50,000 on their FAFSA were awarded $245. Adult accelerated undergraduate Pell Grant recipients were awarded $150 and adult accelerated undergraduate students enrolled in at least 6 credit hours who did not receive a Pell Grant with an EFC of less than $10,000 were awarded $50.

Additionally, eligible students who submitted an Application for Assistance online on or before April 30 were awarded $150 in additional funding. One eligible student who submitted an Application for Assistance was deemed to be of extreme high need and received an award of $3,200.

A total of 1,192 eligible students have been awarded CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants totaling $433,565 in the phase 1 distribution.

To be considered for an award for the Phase 2 distribution, eligible students had to have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) for 2019-2020 no later than June 30, 2020 and enrolled in classes for the spring and fall 2020 semesters as of August 26, 2020. Additionally, the student must have been enrolled in classes that did not take place exclusively online prior to March 13, 2020 and meet other defined criteria. To prioritize students with the most need, the Mount awarded undergraduate Pell Grant recipients $780. Undergraduate students who did not receive a Pell Grant but had an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than $50,000 on their FAFSA were awarded $275. Adult accelerated undergraduate Pell Grant recipients were awarded $150 and adult accelerated undergraduate students, enrolled in at least six credit hours, who did not receive a Pell Grant with an EFC of less than $10,000 were awarded $75.

Additionally, eligible residential students who were requested to reside in a local hotel were awarded $475 or $100 depending on the duration of their stay as additional funding.

A total of 902 eligible students have been awarded CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants, totaling $405,680 in the phase 2 distribution.

All CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant for students has been disbursed as of September 10, 2020. Please consider this our final report.

Mount St. Mary’s University used the FAFSA to determine Title IV eligibility. The FAFSA must have been processed no later than June 30, 2020, to be considered for phase 2 funding.

According the IRS website, “Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not includible in your gross income.”

No. The funds provided by the CARES Act are grants, so they do not need to be repaid.

They money you have received is yours. You do not need to show receipts. The funds were provided to assist eligible students who incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

In order to receive funding under Phase 1, you must:

• Have submitted a complete 2019-20 FAFSA.
• Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.*
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security Number.
• Be an undergraduate, enrolled at the Mount during Spring 2020 at the time of the campus disruption due to coronavirus.
• Meet minimum satisfactory academic progress standards.
• Have an EFC less than $50,000.
• Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
• Not have federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale.

*The Mount estimates 1,462 students are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

In order to receive funding under Phase 2, you must:

• Be determined to be Title IV eligible by submitting a complete a complete 2019-20 FAFSA by June 30, 2020.
• Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security Number.
• Be an undergraduate, enrolled at the Mount during Spring 2020 at the time of the campus disruption due to coronavirus and the Fall 2020 as of August 26, 2020.
• Meet minimum satisfactory academic progress standards.
• Have an EFC less than $50,000 or a residential student requested by the University to reside in a local hotel.
• Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
• Not have federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale.

You are not eligible for CARES Act funds if you were enrolled exclusively in an online program on March 13, 2020.

For questions on the eligibility and/or awarding of the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants for Students please email mountcovidaid@msmary.edu or call Renee Ginn at 301-447-5382.