In response to the outbreak of a 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Mount St. Mary’s University is continuing to take proactive steps to ensure the health and safety of our community.
Please refer to our COVID-19 Dashboard for current data.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
If at any time you have any security concerns, please contact the Department of Public Safety at Ext. 5357.
Mount St. Mary’s University has developed an Incident Plan to include care instructions for the affected individual, safe-to-return instructions, safety protocols and a communication strategy for numerous situations during this global pandemic. The University’s Safe Teams have worked diligently to establish standard procedures and protocols based on the latest CDC guidance while keeping our top priority, the health and safety of our community, at the heart of our planning efforts.
Last revised 12-18-20 based on CDC Guidance in cooperation with the Frederick County Health Department and Frederick Health Systems.
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 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.
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.
As of July 9, 2021
Under section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Mount St. Mary’s University (the Mount) was allocated $2,584,181 from HEERF II. At least $839,010 of the funds received under Section 314(a)(1) are to be used as supplemental aid for students. The Department of Education automatically awarded the supplemental funds to eligible institutions that previously received a section 18004 (a)(1) Student Aid Portion or Institutional Portion award under the CARES Act. Under Section 314 (c)(3) of the CRRSAA, the funds are to 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.”
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:
*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.
As of September 30, 2021
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.The September 30, 2021 report below is also provided as a PDF file as is the August 25, 2021 report. In addition, Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting, for the second and third quarters, both dated October 5, 2021, are provided as PDF files.
ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under the three laws combined total $76.2 billion.
Under section 2003(a)(1) of the ARP, Mount St. Mary’s University (the Mount) was allocated $4,565,078. At least $2,286,966 of the funds are to be used as supplemental aid for students. The Department of Education automatically awarded the emergency supplemental funds to eligible institutions that previously received a section 18004 (a)(1) Student Aid Portion or Institutional Portion award under the CARES Act. Under Section 2003 (a)(1) of the ARP, the funds are to be provided to assist eligible students “for any component of 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. Students determine how they may use their emergency financial aid grant within the allowable uses.”
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:
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.
To be considered for the phase II supplemental aid and to prioritize students with the most need, the Mount determined eligibility as a student enrolled as of September 17, 2021.
Additional criteria was defined to allocate the award amounts, prioritizing students with the most need based on the filed 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) as of September 17, 2021.
Students who have enrolled as of September 17, 2021 for the semester with either 6 or more credits in a traditional undergraduate program or 4 or more credits in an accelerated undergraduate or graduate program received:
Students who have enrolled as of September 17, 2021 for the semester with less than 6 credits in a traditional undergraduate program or less than 4 credits in an accelerated ungraduated or graduate program received:
Amount awarded in Phase II Distribution were reduced by the amount the student received in Phase I Distribution.
A total of 2,538 eligible students have been awarded HEERF III phase II supplemental student aid, totaling $1,703,050. These funds will be distributed via check the week of October 18, 2021, unless the students have consented to apply those funds to their outstanding account balance.
No. Mount St. Mary’s University (the Mount) did not require a 2021-22 FAFSA to have been filed and processed as of September 17, 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 student enrolled as of September 17, 2021.
You are eligible for phase II supplemental student aid from HEERF III if you were enrolled full time exclusively in an online program on September 17, 2021.
Yes. The Mount is required to disburse an additional $552,416 as supplemental student aid using HEERF III funds. The Mount is developing the guidelines for disbursing the funds and anticipates announcing the methodology in early October 2021.
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.
As of October 9, 2020
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Mount St. Mary’s University (the Mount) was allocated $1,678,020. At least 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) were to be used as emergency aid for students. Upon submission of the Funding and Certification and Agreement, signed on April 21, 2020, the CARES Act provided the Mount with $839,010 in funds to be distributed to students as Emergency Financial Aid Grants. The funds were provided to assist eligible students who incurred “expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child-care expenses.” The October 9, 2020 report below is also provided as a PDF file as are the September 10, 2020 report, July 6, 2020, report and May 22, 2020 report. In addition, Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting, dated October 29, 2020, is provided as a PDF file.
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:
*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:
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.
All four can look very similar, making it hard to tell the difference. Use the chart below to help you decide when to seek care for your or your child’s symptoms.
If you start to feel sick, try not to panic or think the worst.
If you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of smell and/or taste, stay home and isolate yourself from others. To find the best care, take the free COVID-19 risk assessment tool from the CDC.
| Coronavirus (COVID-19) | The Flu | A Cold | Seasonal Allergies | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What are the most common symptoms? (Keep in mind: You may have one or all of these symptoms.) | Fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell. | Aches, chills, cough, diarrhea*, fatigue, fever, headaches, runny nose, sore throat, stuffy nose, or vomiting*. (*More common in children than adults.) | Cough, fever (although rare), mucus dripping down your throat (post-nasal drip), runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, stuffy nose, or watery eyes. | Itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose, or watery eyes. |
| How long does it take for you to have symptoms after you are exposed? | 2 to 14 days | 1 to 4 days | 1 to 3 days | Right away |
| How long do symptoms last? | Not known | 3 to 7 days | 7 to 10 days | As long as you’re exposed to allergens |