Spring 2023

(UPDATED AS OF 1/17/23)

Dear Cambridge College Community: 

With the start of the 2023 Spring semester we would like to remind everyone that we continue to respond to the presence of COVID-19 and remain steadfast in our commitment to keep you healthy, safe and informed.  

Please note that all essential protocols and practices from the Fall term, remain in place.  The protocols can be found via the College website. 

Key elements of the protocols include:

·         Continuing vaccination and booster requirements for all individuals coming to Massachusetts campuses,

·         Requiring vaccination verification cards for those returning to campus in person, and

·         Ensuring that all Massachusetts campuses are prepared to safely welcome you back.   

As we have done for the last two academic years, we will continue to monitor state and local data regarding the virus, look to scientific experts, and learn from other academic institutions, to help guide future decisions. Note that we are prepared to initiate more extensive protections for on-campus activities, if warranted by changes in public health conditions.

If you have any questions regarding these protocols or conditions on campus for your return, please do not hesitate to contact COVIDRC@cambridgecollege.edu.  

Respectfully,

The COVID Response Coordination Team 

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Fall 2022

MASSACHUSETTS ON-CAMPUS COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

(UPDATED AS OF 8/29/22)

August 29, 2022

Dear Cambridge College Community: 

We are excited that return to campus for the Fall semester is less than two weeks away.  As we enter a third academic year with the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain steadfast in our commitment to keep you healthy, safe and informed.  

As shared in the past, we are providing below our updated essential protocols and practices that everyone needs to be aware of prior to returning.  The protocols are also available on the website. 

Key elements of the protocols include:

• Continuing vaccination and booster requirements for all individuals coming to Massachusetts campuses,
• Requiring vaccination verification cards for those returning to campus in person, and
• Ensuring that all Massachusetts campuses are prepared to safely welcome you back.   

If you have any questions regarding these protocols or conditions on campus for your return, please do not hesitate to contact COVIDRC@cambridgecollege.edu.  

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS:

Monkeypox has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 9,000 people in the USA have been diagnosed with monkeypox already, and cases have been seen in Massachusetts, including in the Boston area.

As we have done for the last two academic years, we will continue to monitor state and local data on these public health matters, look to scientific experts, and learn from other academic institutions, to help guide future decisions. Note that we are prepared to initiate more extensive protections for on-campus activities, if warranted by changes in public health conditions.

In the meantime, please note that mutual respect is a core value, so we ask that everyone avoid language or behaviors that stigmatize individuals or communities with monkeypox infections.  Go to the CDC website or the MA DPH website focused on the virus, to learn more.

Respectfully,

The COVID Response Coordination Team 

Updated Fall Protocols for Massachusetts Campuses 

Accessing the Campus – Staff, Faculty and Students                                                                               

• All staff, students and faculty must present their CC Vaccination Card and complete a health attestation at the main security desk to enter the campus  
• Masking requirement is optional but may change in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines
• Computer labs and limited study areas will be made available to students  
• Students must be fully vaccinated and have a CC Vaccination Card or a photo ID and CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to show to the security guard 
• If CDC Card are used for access, they will be scanned and kept as a part of the student record  
• Anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to immediately leave the campus  
• Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms on site should immediately mask up, leave the campus and call their health care provider to seek medical attention.  

Parking on Campus [Boston only]                                                                                                           

• All staff, faculty and students commuting to campus by car will be required to use authorized Cambridge College Parking Passes  
• Students can park in the North Lot at Hood Park starting at 5:00 pm with an authorized Cambridge College parking pass 
• Students with authorized parking passes can also park during the day to use the campus 
• Visitors and guests must park in Visitor parking spaces of the North Lot only, unless provided a parking pass by the College’s Business Operations Office 
• No overnight parking is allowed and unauthorized cars will be subject to towing 

Common Area Management                                                                                                                  

• Masking requirement is optional but may change in accordance with local, state and federal guidelines

• The College encourages social distancing in all common areas and when moving about the campus 
• Compliance with posted occupancy limits is required for all common areas and meeting spaces 
• Disinfecting wipes will be available in common areas for individual use to clean high touch surfaces   
• Eating on campus will be limited to designated areas to minimize the potential for airborne contaminants 

Cleaning and Disinfecting                                                                                                                       

• All rooms and spaces will continue to be cleaned and disinfected according to the requirements set by the local, state and federal health authorities  
• Rooms contaminated by a positive COVID-19 occurrence will immediately be closed for 24 hours to allow sufficient air change to occur and for appropriate cleaning and disinfecting to be completed 
• Classrooms will be equipped with HEPA filters to provide students and faculty an additional measure of clean air quality while using the rooms 
• In the event of a facilities emergency at the Boston campus, please contact Security immediately at 617-873-0111 or Ext. 1111 

Managing COVID-Positive Reports                                                                                                         

Anyone that comes to campus that: 1) has tested positive for COVID-19, or 2) has been exposed to someone who has tested positive, or 3) has COVID-19 symptoms will be required to abide by the following reporting protocols:  

1.   Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and have been on campus must immediately report their status to the COVID Response Coordination Team [CRC] via email at COVIDRC@cambridgecollege.edu 

• You will be provided with guidance on quarantine/isolation and return to campus protocols  

2.   Individuals who had close contact with an infected individual while on campus, must immediately report this information to the COVID Response Coordination Team [CRC] via email at COVIDRC@cambridgecollege.edu 

• You will be provided with guidance on quarantine/isolation and return to campus protocols  

3.   Individuals that feel ill while on campus should immediately leave and seek guidance for testing if the conditions are symptomatic of COVID  

• If test results are positive for COVID, immediately email the CRC for guidance on quarantine/isolation and return to campus protocols 

If any Cambridge College staff or faculty member receives a report about a member of our staff or student body testing positive for COVID-19, they should forward that information immediately to the COVID Response Coordination Team [CRC] via email at COVIDRC@cambridgecollege.edu so that appropriate action can be taken. 

Managing for Monkeypox

Cambridge College is monitoring monkeypox developments in the United States and in Massachusetts, and will continue to adjust the College’s recommendations and response accordingly. We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the basic facts about monkeypox and to take steps to prevent its spread.

For more detail on the virus, symptoms, and associated care go to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website - https://www.mass.gov/monkeypox or the CDC website -https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html. 

If you are exposed or diagnosed with monkeypox, please work with your healthcare provider for instructions on how to manage your health.  If you have been exposed or learned of a positive diagnosis while on campus, please contact COVIDRC@cambridgecollege.edu immediately so appropriate action can be taken. 

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