New Procedures for Keeping the Campus Safe in 2021
Welcome back to the start of a new semester and a new year. Bowie State’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes several changes for the spring 2021 semester. We are working to build on evolving best practices and lessons learned to best manage university operations to control spread of the virus on campus. The university will resume our low-density, hybrid first-year intensive instructional model that focuses on providing in-person, on-campus experiences for mostly freshman students beginning Jan. 25.
Employee Scheduling
To improve monitoring of campus density and assure adequate staffing to effectively meet the instructional and support needs of the on-campus student populations, all faculty and staff must complete an online work schedule to indicate telework and on-campus days. The work schedule form, which includes the telework agreement, must be submitted to supervisors by Jan. 6. The scheduling data will be used to identify the spaces that will be occupied and require routine cleaning. If you experience any difficulties with the scheduling form, please submit a Help Desk ticket at helpdesk@bowiestate.edu or https://helpdesk.bowiestate.edu.
New Testing Protocols
Beginning Jan. 11, the BSU COVID-19 testing regimen will be enhanced. All employees and students (residential and commuters) who have regularly scheduled days on-campus will be required to have a rapid test twice per week, with an additional nasal PCR test administered on the first test day each week. The rapid test provides results in 20 minutes, so employees and commuters should allow time for testing before your scheduled work shift or class. The digital badges will turn green in the Wellness Center portal upon completion of the rapid test.
This enhanced level of continuous testing provides a high degree of effectiveness in early detection and management of any positive cases, especially among asymptomatic individuals. Testing will continue to be conducted in the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing. Appointments should be made weekly through the Wellness Portal.
Employees who work on campus one day each week, or only occasionally, will be required to be tested each time they come to campus before reporting to your work station. Individuals who elect to test at off-campus sites should email results to covid-19results@bowiestate.edu. The badge system will now recognize those results.
Housing Move-in
Residential students are scheduled for move-in by appointment from Jan. 15-17. Each student will be administered the rapid COVID-19 test and the nasal PCR test before being allowed to move into the residence hall. Students should also schedule appointments with Financial Aid and/or Student Accounts to resolve any financial questions before arriving for move-in.
COVID-19 Vaccination
Distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine across the state is well underway. BSU has applied for approval to provide the vaccine to members of the BSU campus community when allowed in the phased distribution plan. More details will be forthcoming upon approval of this request. Active participation in the vaccination program will provide the best path to eradicating the virus from our community.
Please continue to monitor email and the COVID-19 Updates web section for the latest information. Any questions or concerns should be emailed to covid19@bowiestate.edu.