Vaccines, Work Schedules and New Safety Measures

February 3, 2021

Availability of the COVID-19 vaccine in Maryland and across the country continues to be very limited. While higher education employees working on campus are now eligible under Phases 1B and 1C of the Maryland vaccine distribution plan, faculty and staff must register for an appointment with a local vaccination site. Please check the state of Maryland vaccine locator webpage to find a vaccine site in your area and follow instructions to register. Visit the vaccine website of the Prince George’s County Health Department for information about appointments for people who live or work in the county.

Bowie State still anticipates being able to offer vaccination to campus community members in a later phase. Confirmation is pending.

Faculty and Staff Work Schedules

As part of the effort to manage the increased twice-weekly COVID-19 testing regime, it is important for all faculty and staff to complete the online work schedule form confirming telework and on-campus work days. Accurate information about everyone’s work status is important to certify campus density rates and effectively plan for COVID-19 test materials, staffing, other resources and housekeeping service. If you have not received an email confirming supervisor approval of your schedule, please resubmit it at this time. Supervisor are asked to carefully review your email for messages from Service Community to approve all pending schedules submitted by staff.

Enhancement to Safety Measures

Installation of UV-C lighting equipment into the ventilation systems of buildings across the campus is underway to add an additional resource in the university’s ongoing effort to reduce the spread of harmful viruses in the campus environment. UV-C light fixtures disinfect and kill viruses and other organic matter within the airstream enabling building-wide disinfection of circulated air. Academic, administrative, auxiliary and residence hall buildings are included in the project. The work is expected to be completed by the end of March.

Testing Protocol Resumes

Following two days of full remote operation of the university, COVID-19 testing resumed today and will adhere to the twice-weekly regime instituted this semester. Faculty, staff and students who are on campus two or more days each week are asked to take a COVID-19 test twice during the week. Those who are on campus once a week or occasionally should test each time you come to campus. Testing is available weekdays on campus, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Appointments should be made in advance through the Wellness Patient Portal. 

Completion of the twice weekly testing and daily symptom screening will activate the green badge within the Wellness Patient Portal indicating each individual’s negative COVID-19 status. The green badge can be required for entry into the residence halls, Student Center, library, classrooms, buses and fitness facilities across the campus. Individual offices may also ask you to show your badge before entering.

Technology Resources for Students

Students are reminded that hotspots, webcams and loaner laptops are available upon request to assure that everyone has the digital resources needed for remote instruction. Students should email covid19@bowiestate.edu to make a request.

We ask all members of the campus community to continue to monitor emails and the COVID-19 Updates web section for the latest information. Any questions or concerns should be emailed to covid19@bowiestate.edu.