Faculty/Staff FAQ | Springfield College

General Questions

How do we handle the symptoms of colds and flus that overlap with COVID-19?
Students experiencing symptoms should visit the Health Center, who can run a rapid test. Students may also take a home test and seek care from their primary care provider, but should also notify the Health Center (HealthCenter@springfield.edu) if they test positive. Faculty and staff notify their supervisor and use their sick time if they are unable to work. Employees should monitor their own health and may procure a rapid test from the Health Center if they are symptomatic or take a home-test; they should contact their primary care provider or urgent care center as needed.

Faculty and Staff Vaccination Status

Forward-facing employees are required to be vaccinated. Please review the College's Vaccination Policy. Questions about this policy should be directed to Human Resources.

Religious Exemption
Employees seeing a religious exemption from the College’s Vaccination Policy must submit a Religious Accommodations/Exemption Form. Please make sure you are specific on all questions and answer each thoroughly to avoid any unnecessary delays.

ADA Accommodations- Vaccine Related
If, based on the Vaccination Policy, you need to seek an exemption from the vaccination requirement for reasons related to your health or a disability, you would need to complete and submit the ADA Accommodations Request form.  All such requests must be accompanied by supporting documentation from your healthcare provider.

Vaccination Status
Please submit your vaccination status via one of the options listed below. If you have previously submitted your vaccination information, you are welcome to, but not required to provide booster information.

  1. Click the attestation form link, and submit your information electronically.
  2. You can email a copy of your vaccination card to Healthcenter@springfield.edu.
  3. You can drop a copy of your vaccination card off at the Health Center during regular business hours.
  4. You can interoffice mail a copy of your vaccination card to the Health Center.
  5. You can snail mail a letter and copy of your vaccination card to the Health Center and count the days until it arrives (this is the less desirable option).

Testing, Contact Tracing, Quarantine

What are the testing requirements for all students, faculty, and staff on campus?

Springfield College will no longer require surveillance testing of students or employees.

If I am up-to-date on my vaccines (including boosters) and test positive, do I go into quarantine and for how long? What if I’m not vaccinated (or boosted)?

Any employee (regardless of their vaccination status) who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to isolate for five full days. Day 0 is the date of the positive test and Day 1 is the first full day of isolation. Employees may return to campus beginning on Day 6 if they have been symptom-free or if their symptoms have resolved (e.g., feel well enough to return to work, and without fever for 24 hours), but they must adhere to strict mask wearing for the following five days (Days 6-10). In this instance, high quality masks must be worn at all times, even when alone in their office. Employees who continue to feel unwell should remain away from campus.

As of guidance released by the CDC and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, released November 1, 2021, vaccinated individuals who are identified as a close contact should be tested five to seven days after their exposure. Vaccinated individuals without symptoms do not need to quarantine.

How will criteria for "close contacts" for the purpose of contact tracing be redefined to more accurately reflect the Delta variant's higher viral load and faster infection rate?
We will continue to follow the guidelines put forth by the CDC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

What are the the costs & availability of on campus testing for faculty? staff? students?
Drop-in PCR testing is not available at this time. Instead, individuals with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure may make same-day appointments at the Health Center (413-748-3175) to take a rapid antigen test or are encouraged to test at home prior to coming to campus. Employees are encouraged to contact their primary care provider or utilize community testing sites.

A limited number of free rapid antigen tests are available from the Health Center on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can staff/faculty ask a student’s vaccination status?
Student vaccination statuses will be shared on a need to know basis, determined by supervisors, department chairs, and/or division leadership. 

What policies apply to students, faculty, and staff at the regional campuses?
The College vaccination policies apply to all students attending classes in a face-to-face format. Completely online students do not need to provide proof of vaccination. 

All students, faculty, and staff should follow guidelines set forth by the governing agencies in the areas in which they live/work. 

Academics

Will vaccinated students and professors be masked in classrooms?
At this time, masks are optional for all individuals in the classroom or while engaging in class-based activities, UNLESS otherwise posted or informed by an instructor that they are required

What are the expectations or plans if faculty switch back to virtual instruction?
The College is prepared to adjust and pivot as needed, should the need arise to return to virtual instruction.

If faculty need to not be on campus because of symptoms (or to care for a quarantining child), should they plan to cancel classes or move to Zoom?
Faculty should coordinate with their department chairs and deans on a case by case basis. Telework options should not be used in cases of caring for a sick child or member of your home.

Athletics

Will spectators be allowed at athletic competitions?
We will continue to make decisions in concert with NEWMAC and the NCAA. Friends and family are welcome to attend athletic competitions; they are required to follow the College’s masking guidelines

Dining

Does Cheney allow sit down seating or grab and go?
The Table at Cheney is currently at normal occupancy. There is a grab and go option featuring a reusable container available for purchase for $5.

Housing and Residence Life

Do Residence Halls have limitations on the number and types of people in their space? 
Outside guests are allowed in the residence halls. At this time, students are limited to one overnight guest at any given time. We respectfully request that all guests, who are eligible, be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus or meet the requirements of a medical or religious exemption. Guests are required to follow the College’s masking guidelines.

Is any residence hall staying empty for isolation or quarantine?
A very limited number of spaces in the Graduate Village is being held for quarantine and isolation spaces for students should they be necessary.