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 noted exceptions, but are always welcome to do so.
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.
Beginning July 1, 2023, students who test positive for COVID-19 should follow the guidelines outlined in Embark. Generally, those who test positive must isolate in place for five days following the onset of symptoms or, if they did not have symptoms, the date of the positive test they took. If clinically improving during days 6–10, students may follow “heightened safety precautions,” including wearing a KN95 mask outside their residence hall room and continuing to get food to-go and eating alone.
Students who have questions or want health support should contact Health Services by calling 413-538-2121 during business hours and asking to speak with a nurse. Urgent health needs are supported after hours via the contracted answering service; please do not phone the answering service for public health protocol questions. Please note, Health Services is closed for the summer and anticipates reopening August 21, 2023.
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 should follow the sick and personal leave policy guidelines in the Staff Handbook and notify their supervisor or follow the procedures established by their department when they know they cannot report to work. In accordance with Massachusetts public health guidance, employees who test positive must isolate in place for five days following the onset of symptoms or, if they do not have symptoms, the date of the positive test they took). If they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are improving during days 6–10, employees may leave isolation if they wear a mask and eat alone. If they have had two negative tests taken 48 hours apart, they do not need to follow these extra precautions.
The College will no longer supply KN95 masks. When students are preparing to return to campus and start the fall 2023 semester, they should plan accordingly by packing or ordering any needed KN95 masks. The Safety Net Fund will be available for eligible students in the fall of 2023 to apply for funding to purchase KN95 masks. Limited supplies are available in the Division of Student Life suite over the summer of 2023.
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.
