Return to Campus Spring 2022 Update & Reminder

Dear Goucher Gophers,

We are eager for your safe return to campus. We have provided additional detailed information below about your return to campus and/or updated Covid-19 protocols as a follow-up to this week’s message from President Devereaux.

Housing & Weather delay

While we intend for students to return to campus on Saturday, January 29th, we understand that the pending snow may impact your travel plans to campus. We do not want any student to risk their safety in returning to campus. Therefore, it is permitted to delay your return to campus due to the weather. If you took your required PCR test on Wednesday in anticipation of returning to campus on Saturday, you do not need to retest if your arrival will be delayed to Sunday due to the weather.

Masking

When on campus, all faculty, staff, and students are required and must use N-95, KN95, or KF94 face masks. Masks are available in the Office of Residential Life in Heubeck. We continue to monitor the situation and secure additional masks as needed throughout the semester but emphasize that each person has their own supply of masks.

Dining

Bon Appetit will have green reusable containers available for purchase ($10) throughout the semester. However, in response to the first 2 weeks of online classes, Bon Appetit will have compostable to-go containers available at the cashier station for those who wish to take their food to go but not buy the reusable container. Additionally, while Bon Appetit hours of operation and station offerings will not be impacted, they have modified the seating arrangements to provide for physical distancing.

Pre-Arrival Requirements

Flu shot

The Office of the Vice President & Dean of Students has contacted students that have not submitted their proof of flu shot regarding the holds on their account. At this point, students must submit proof of a flu shot or religious/medical exemption documentation to avoid their course registration and housing assignment being dropped for the Spring 2022 semester.

PCR tests

Residential students who will test on campus on Friday, January 28, 2022, by the Student Health Center must quarantine immediately on-campus until results are delivered. Students who submitted a negative PCR test prior to arrival are not required to quarantine but must avoid congregating in enclosed spaces as much as possible, especially during the first two weeks of the semester.

If students select the on-campus testing option, they must quarantine in their rooms while awaiting test results and are not allowed to leave their quarantine space until they receive a negative PCR test except to pick up food. Food must be consumed in your quarantine location. PCR test results are usually available in 72 –96 hours. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the quarantine requirements and preparation before choosing the on-campus testing option to ensure compliance. Please note the dining hall does not officially open until 1/29/22.

If a student receives a positive test result, they must enter isolation immediately. Goucher College has designated isolation spaces on-campus. However, students may choose to isolate off-campus at their own discretion, provided they can travel safely without risk of infection to others. Students choosing to isolate off campus will remain off campus until cleared to return to campus. COVID-positive students may not attend classes in person, go to the library, the dining hall, etc. Students who fail to follow this policy will be subject to discipline. Please read the full Quarantine and Isolation Policy.

Surveillance Testing

We continue to do asymptomatic surveillance testing for students with vaccination exemptions throughout the semester. When there is evidence of high transmission, there be additional surveillance testing for all students, regardless of vaccination status. Students are notified via email when required to come for surveillance testing.

For international students or those residing outside of the United States, please follow the pre-arrival instructions you have received from the Office of Global Education.

COVID-19 Booster Clinic

We are hosting a COVID-19 Booster Clinic on Friday, February 4 from 10:00am-3:00 pm in the Rosenberg Gallery (Dorsey Center). If you’d like to receive either Pfizer or Moderna booster, please indicate your interest here and we will email you registration information. This is open to all members of the Goucher community, staff, faculty, and students.

Contact Information

For additional information or questions, please contact the following and allow for 1-2 business days for a response due to volume:

Covid-19 Testing - nurse@goucher
Covid-19 Vaccine - vaccine@goucher
Housing - residentiallife@goucher.edu
Academics - associateprovost@goucher.edu
Dining - David.Friendlich@cafebonappetit.com

Thank you and be well,

Dr. Aarika Camp 
Vice President for Student Affairs