Policies, Precautions & Requirements

Face Coverings

At Springfield College, all mask or face coverings should:

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face,

• Be secured with ties or ear loops,

• Include multiple layers of fabric, and

• Allow for breathing without restriction.

The CDC discourages the use of cloth masks. Updated recommendations are to wear masks with at least two layers of fabric that are closely fitted to cover the nose and mouth. Double masking with a surgical mask and cloth mask is preferable to a cloth mask alone. When available, N95, KN95, and KF94 masks are deemed more effective than other types of masks.

Masks with exhale valves are not permitted.

The Springfield College mask policy follows guidance from the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the American College Health Association, as well as complies with local municipal regulations. 

Masks are:

• Required where posted, including in any office, campus location or event.
• Required in classrooms or class-based activities per individual instructor communication.
• Required for “sick-visits” at the Health Center.

Employees wanting mask-required signage for their office may utilize this template

In the spirit of Humanics, we ask you to respect the wishes of your close community members and act accordingly within individual departments, offices, and buildings.  

Testing/Contact Tracing

Springfield College does not require pre-arrival, or arrival testing for domestic or international students; surveillance testing of students and employees is also not required. Students who test positive should notify the Health Center (healthcenter@springfield.edu); employees should notify their supervisor. 

Drop-in PCR testing is not available at the Health Center. Instead, individuals with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure may make 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, utilize community testing sites, or take a rapid antigen test. 

We will continue to follow the guidelines put forth by the CDC and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regarding contact tracing. Any student who tests positive from a campus-provided test is responsible for notifying close contacts. 

Quarantine/Isolation

Any student or employee (regardless of their vaccination status) who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to self-isolate for five full days prior to being released from isolation. Day 0 is the date of the positive test or onset of symptoms, Day 1 is the first full day of isolation.

• Students/employees may leave self-isolation/return to campus after five days if they  are symptom-free or their symptoms have resolved (e.g., feel well enough to return to class/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, except for when a student is alone in their own residence hall room/apartment; employees must wear that mask at all times, even when alone in their office.
• Students who can travel home via private vehicle are strongly encouraged to isolate at home. If a student is not able to isolate at home, they will isolate in place in their room. During self-isolation, a student may not leave their room except to pick up meals, pick up mail, use the bathroom, do laundry or for a pre-approved appointment at the Health Center.  They must wear a high quality mask any time  they leave  their room/suite during self-isolation. They may not enter any other campus buildings or participate in any in-person activities (including in-person classes, athletics/club sports, in-person employment, and campus activities).