COVID-19 Health and Safety

The purpose of this page is to keep the Mount Holyoke community updated on the status of the College’s preventive steps, policy decisions, plans and resources in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are monitoring the situation and are in ongoing contact with state and local public health officials, colleagues within the Five Colleges and other relevant parties.

For parents that wish to receive information when it is sent, please make sure to sign up or update your address.

This page was last updated March 3, 2023.

Vaccinations

Illustration of a bottle of the COVID-19 vaccine and a sticker that says "I got my COVID-19 vaccine!"

Mount Holyoke College will follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and continue to require all employees and students to receive a primary COVID-19 vaccination series and one booster for the 2022–2023 academic year. It is highly recommended that all community members stay up-to-date with their vaccinations and receive further boosters when and if eligible. Medical and religious exemptions will continue to be granted for those who qualify. Those who have already requested and received an exemption need not file again.

Vaccination documentation

All students should follow the corresponding instructions found on College Health Service’s Student Health Requirements page when submitting vaccination and booster documentation.
Students who were enrolled for the 2021–2022 academic year and submitted their vaccination and booster documentation do not need to resubmit.
Students who do not already have an exemption from the College’s vaccine and booster mandate and need to request one should review the information on the Incoming Health Forms page and contact medical-records@mtholyoke.edu.

All existing employees were required to provide proof of their initial vaccination series or process a qualifying exemption on or before August 13, 2021, and proof of their first booster on or before January 24, 2022.
COVID-19 vaccination (or approved exemption) is a condition of employment at Mount Holyoke College. The Office of Human Resources will complete the verification process with all new hires.
To submit booster information, employees should complete the “MHC COVID-19 Vaccination & Booster Attestation” form by logging into my.mtholyoke.edu and following the link under “Self Service.” The form will collect all vaccination information and permit the secure upload of your vaccination card(s).
To request an exemption from the College’s vaccine and booster mandate, employees should review the COVID-19 EE Information page on my.mtholyoke and write to covid-report-g@mtholyoke.edu.

On-campus health and safety

Download the Masks Welcome sign

In accordance with recent updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, the College does not plan to return to on-campus asymptomatic testing as this is no longer recommended in most community settings.

mid-semester Break 2023 update

Students traveling off campus during break are strongly encouraged to pick up a rapid test kit before leaving. A very small quantity will be available at Public Safety and Service during break while supplies last. Students are encouraged to test once back on campus. For those staying on campus, the Division of Student Life suite will be open as normal.

ALL students must report a positive test, even during break. Residential students will follow isolate-in-place protocols (regardless of roommate status) and all off-campus students (either nonresidential, commuter or residential students who are traveling during break) must follow the off-campus isolation protocols. Students who test positive over break and are off-campus cannot return to campus until cleared by Health Services.

Protocols and suggestions for obtaining tests and reporting results

Students

Students who have symptoms or who have been exposed to COVID-19 can receive a test via appointment at College Health Services.
Students who are asymptomatic and wish to test may do so either through a home test or at a clinic or pharmacy in the area. The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and many other public and private insurance carriers offer rapid antigen tests for enrollees at no out-of-pocket cost. Students enrolled in SHIP can find more information about how to obtain these tests. Students can also pick up free rapid antigen test kits at the Division of Student Life suite in Blanchard Hall 205 Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm. Note the office may be closed for lunch.
Students who test positive should isolate and report their results through the Positive COVID Test Reporting Form. Negative results need not be reported.

Further details about these protocols were communicated in September 2022 and can be found on Embark.

Employees

Employees can obtain tests either locally at a clinic or pharmacy or through a home test. The College’s employee insurance plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield offers coverage of certain rapid antigen tests for enrollees at no out-of-pocket cost.
All positive test results should be reported to covid-report-g@mtholyoke.edu, and all subsequent instructions followed. Negative results need not be reported.
Further details about reporting protocols, as well as what to do if you have been exposed and/or have symptoms, can be found on the COVID-19 EE Information page in my.mtholyoke.

Low or no-cost COVID-19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured. Low or no-cost testing is available at select pharmacies and local health centers in Massachusetts.

Find a COVID-19 test in Massachusetts. There are options to search for free testing and testing for non-Massachusetts residents (travelers).
Find a COVID-19 test elsewhere in the U.S.
Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests through covid.gov.

The Mount Holyoke campus is currently operating under a masks-welcome policy for all indoor spaces. Students, employees, alums or guests on our campus will not be required to wear a mask indoors, aside from the following noted exceptions, but are always welcome to do so.

mid-semester BREAK 2023 UPDATE

The following campus locations will continue to require a mask for all those entering the building:

The Pattie Groves Health Center, which includes College Health Services and Counseling Services.
The athletic training room in Kendall Sports and Dance Complex.

Current masking guidelines

The College will generally follow the CDC’s masking and isolation guidelines for people who test positive for COVID-19 or who self-identify as a close contact. The following conditions require masking for the designated period of time:

Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 10 days may not remove their mask in public settings until Day 11. The date of a positive test is considered Day 0.
Those who are close contacts or have been exposed to someone known to have COVID-19 (i.e. a roommate or office mate) must wear a mask for 10 days following their last exposure.
Those who are experiencing symptoms that could be indicative of COVID-19 must mask outside their residence hall room until they obtain a negative COVID-19 test. Nonresidential students and employees should remain off campus until they obtain a negative COVID-19 test.

Additionally, for their own personal safety, community members who are exempt from COVID-19 vaccination and/or booster(s) or who have not yet received a booster (but are eligible), as well as those with compromised immune systems or other risk factors for severe COVID-19, should wear a mask indoors on campus.

KN95 masks are available to those who need them.

Auxiliary Services Lobby (Students Only: 24/7)
Blanchard 205 (Students Only: M-F, 9am- 4:30pm, please note the office may be closed for lunch)
Carr Lab (requires advanced arrangement via email to mhc-testing-g@mtholyoke.edu)
Dining Cashier Station (during regular hours)
Kendall Sports and Dance Info Desk (during regular hours)
Library Circulation Desk at Level 2, near main entry (during regular hours)
Library Technology Help Desk at Level 4, Info Commons (during regular hours)
Public Safety and Service (Students Only: 24/7)
Staff and Faculty can also write to mhc-testing-g@mtholyoke.edu with questions regarding mask pickup for their department.

Anyone’s choice to wear a mask for any reason without explanation should be respected. In some instances, disability accommodations may require masking by all parties including those delivering remarks or lectures. While individuals or departments cannot create mask requirements separate from — or more restrictive than — College policy or accommodation requirements, we ask that everyone be attentive and respond reasonably to the concerns of others. Students should contact the Dean of the College at dean-college@mtholyoke.edu for more information about accommodations. Employees should refer to this Human Resources document.

Current isolation protocols

Students who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate and should follow the protocols found on the Student COVID Protocols page. Students living on campus in a single room who test positive will isolate in place. Those with a roommate who is currently positive or has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 30 days will also isolate in place. Students who test positive for COVID-19 and who have roommate(s) who are negative and have not tested positive in the last 30 days, will have the option to move to College-provided isolation housing.
As an added precaution, people who have symptoms of COVID-19 and are awaiting testing or test results should not come to campus or, if living on campus, should isolate in place until they have obtained a negative test.

Campus guests are required to self-assess their symptoms and should follow any and all health and safety protocols in effect at the time of their visit. For further information about planning and hosting an on-campus event, visit the Event Services web page.

Guests staying overnight in residence hall rooms will need to be registered using the Guest Attestation Form and must either be vaccinated or have received a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours before arrival. Further information can be found in the guest policy section of the MHC Residential Life Community Standards.

Resources for immunocompromised individuals and others with questions or concerns

Those who are immunocompromised should check in with a healthcare provider and/or College Health Services to make appropriate plans for the semester as needed.

Anyone with concerns or questions may also make use of available resources and reach out to the appropriate contacts listed. Community members may always seek support through the ombudsperson.

Students seeking information about accommodations should contact Disability Services.
Other questions and concerns may be emailed to dean-students@mtholyoke.edu

Faculty with questions should contact their supervisor and supervisors should engage employees to determine what, if any, appropriate adjustments are available. A summary of these procedures can be found in this Human Resources document.
Employees and supervisors can find information on ADA/504 Workplace Accommodations on my.mtholyoke and further resources are on the COVID-19-EE-Information page of my.mtholyoke.
Provided there is no material change in the employee's needs or medical status, prior accommodations granted via the accommodation process will be honored.
Faculty may also reach out to the Office of the Dean of Faculty with any questions.

Staff with questions should contact their supervisor and supervisors should engage employees to determine what, if any, appropriate adjustments are available. A summary of these procedures can be found in this Human Resources document.
Employees and supervisors can find information on ADA/504 Workplace Accommodations on my.mtholyoke and further resources are on the COVID-19-EE-Information page of my.mtholyoke.
Provided there is no material change in the employee's needs or medical status, prior accommodations granted via the accommodation process will be honored.