Increase in COVID-19 Cases Leads to Final Exams Moving Online

We want to commend Bowie State University students for your proactive compliance with the COVID-19 protocols that have helped keep our campus safe all semester. Your swift response to be tested as you began experiencing COVID symptoms has helped identify a threat to our community and triggered response measures to mitigate risk to the entire campus. Our screening badge system has operated as it was designed, providing an early alert to the intrusion of the virus into the campus.

With aggressive testing conducted yesterday and today by the Wellness Center, 121 positive cases have been confirmed. With 90 percent of the campus population fully vaccinated, only mild symptoms have been reported so far. Isolation protocols have been initiated for affected individuals and contact tracing is continuing.

Out of an abundance of caution to mitigate further spread, the Provost has shifted all final exams to be offered only in the virtual mode beginning Wednesday, Dec. 15 through Tuesday, Dec. 21 as scheduled. Students who are able are encouraged to check out of the residence halls as soon as possible and complete final exams at home. Contactless express check out is available in each residence hall. If you have questions, please contact your residence hall director.

Additionally, spectators will not be allowed at basketball games scheduled tonight and Thursday on campus. The games can be viewed online via links on the Athletic Department website.

Other precautionary measures now in place include:

  1. Dining Hall service provided as take-out only
  2. Cancellation of all social events, student programming and recreational group activities

Students and employees remaining on campus are encouraged to remain vigilant in observing all of the COVID-19 safety protocols:

  • Get booster shots, or if unvaccinated get initial vaccine dose
  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth in indoor places 
  • Stay six feet apart from others, when possible 
  • Wash your hands often and exercise respiratory etiquette 

Please monitor your email and the COVID-19 Updates webpage for additional information as it becomes available. If you have questions, you may also email covid19@bowiestate.edu

Stay safe!