Fall Semester Begins August 30 – Are you Ready?

August 25, 2021

As the first day of class approaches, the energy across the campus has already begun to increase with more than 800 freshmen and student leaders settling into residence halls and nearly 100 faculty attending a two-day institute in preparation to greet students with new, innovative learning opportunities this year.

For those returning to campus for the first time on Aug. 30, you should know that multi-layered safety measures are in place to protect you and the campus community from spread of COVID-19.

  • Only students, faculty or staff who are compliant with the vaccination requirement will be permitted on campus to attend classes, live in residence halls or participate in other activities.
  • You must show a green badge in the Wellness Patient Portal at the campus checkpoint to gain entry. Vaccination, daily symptom monitoring and COVID-19 testing as required will maintain the green badge.
  • Vaccinated persons are required to take the COVID-19 test on the first day on campus and then once every 30 days. Persons with vaccine exemptions must test twice per week.
  • Masks are required inside campus buildings at all times unless alone in an office.
  • The mask mandate is relaxed outside for groups of 100 or less.
  • Plexiglas barriers are in place in classrooms, the dining hall and many offices.
  • Ventilation systems in buildings are equipped with UV lighting to sanitize circulated air. HEPPA  filters in classrooms provide an extra level of air purification.

Personal Protective Equipment

The university has an ample supply of face masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes readily available for pickup by any member of the campus community at four locations – Student Center ticket office, Thurgood Marshall Library circulation desk, DoIT Helpdesk in Thurgood Marshal Library and Campus Safety, McKeldin Gym.  Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the campus, both inside and outside.

Offices that receive regular student or visitor traffic are encouraged to pick up a supply of masks to have available to hand out as needed.  Everyone is encouraged to take responsibility to remind each other of the safety practices need to protect our community.

If you have any questions about the requirements or preparations for the return to campus, please email covid19@bowiestate.edu and monitor the COVID-19 Updates web section for the latest information.