Deputy Chancellor Preble provides updates on the vaccine booster requirement and required re-entry testing
Dear UMassD Residential Students,
I hope your winter break is going well and you are finding time to rest and recharge for the upcoming spring semester. I am writing to affirm that UMass Dartmouth continues to plan to be fully open for on-campus, in-person instruction for the Spring 2022 semester. I also want to provide more details following the December 21 email about two key COVID-related requirements for the spring semester.
First, UMass Dartmouth requires all students, faculty, and staff who wish to live, learn, and work on campus in 2022 to supplement their COVID-19 vaccination with a booster shot when they are eligible to do so. If you have already received your booster shot, please upload it to the Health Services Patient Portal. View our Uploading COVID Booster Guide for help. If you are eligible but have not received your booster shot yet, please make an appointment as soon as possible to obtain your booster before the start of the semester. You’re eligible for a booster shot 6 months after your second Moderna shot, 5 months after your second Pfizer shot, and 2 months after your J&J shot. For more information on booster shots and eligibility, please review our Vaccination Frequently Asked Questions.
Second, the university requires all students, faculty, and staff returning to campus in January 2022 to be tested for COVID-19. If you do not feel well or have symptoms of COVID-19, please test at home, and do not come to campus until you receive a negative result. All residential students must be tested on arrival on campus and prior to moving back into your residence hall. Students who test positive will not be permitted to move into their residence hall.
You can satisfy the re-entry testing requirement in one of three ways:
1. Test on campus in the Woodland Commons. Please schedule an appointment on your planned arrival date. The testing center is open on the following dates:
- Monday, January 17, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 18, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 19, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Thursday, January 20, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Here’s the procedure for getting tested on campus prior to moving in:
- To collect your room key, you will get tested in Woodland Commons.
- After testing, you will wait 15 minutes for the results.
- If you test negative, you will be directed to Birch to pick up your key/have your card access turned on.
- If you test positive, you will be required to isolate for five days per CDC guidance and will not be allowed to move into your residence hall.
The university has limited isolation housing available for residential students in the Cedar Dells.
We therefore strongly encourage students who test positive to isolate at home if possible. Isolation housing will be prioritized for students with the greatest need or whose primary residence is the farthest from campus.
If you cannot move into a residence hall due to a positive result, in recognition that you are helping keep the campus community safe by delaying your move-in by isolating at home, the university will provide a one-time credit to your account of $150.
2. Take an observed COVID-19 test through your local pharmacy or doctor’s office no more than 48 hours before your first day back on campus. Please upload your re-entry test result here. View our Uploading COVID-19 Test Results Guide for help. If you have uploaded your test result, please go to Birch to pick up your key.
We strongly encourage students traveling a long distance to campus to get tested before your trip and stay home if you test positive or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Again, you will not be allowed to move into your residence hall if you test positive and will receive a one-time credit of $150 by isolating at home, so please plan for this possible scenario.
3. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 on or after October 10, 2021, you are exempt from this requirement for re-entry testing. Please upload your observed positive test result here by Friday, January 14, to be cleared to move into your residence hall. View our Uploading COVID-19 Test Results Guide for help. If you have uploaded your test result, please go to Birch to pick up your key.
In addition, if you have an approved COVID-19 vaccination exemption, this arrival test will satisfy both your first required weekly test and the required re-entry test. To learn more, please review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any questions, please email corona.virus@umassd.edu. Thank you in advance for your willingness to keep the UMass Dartmouth community safe this upcoming semester.
We look forward to seeing you on campus soon.
Best,
Mark Preble
Deputy Chancellor / Acting Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs