The Path Forward
Information for Students, Faculty, & Staff
Bay Path University follows guidelines shared by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
All decisions have been made based on currently available information. The University will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our policies as necessary.
What is the Mask Policy?
At this time, face masks are optional on both University campuses, including in the classrooms. We continue to strongly encourage the use of high-quality masks to reduce the risk of transmission in crowded settings or for individuals who are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Even if others around you are not masked, high-quality masks worn correctly and regularly will significantly reduce the risk of viral transmission.
Masks mandate will remain in effect for when you have:
And have tested positive for COVID-19.
Will I need to be vaccinated to attend classes in person?
No. While the University strongly encourages staying up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccine, Bay Path has made the decision to no longer mandate the COVID-19 vaccinations, effective May 11, 2023.
Are Covid-19 Booster Shots Required?
No. However, we strongly encourage all students and staff to remain up-to-date on the COVID-19 vaccine.
Why should I get a booster?
Antibodies from vaccines decline over time.
Higher antibody levels from vaccines seem to make the average person less likely to get sick from the coronavirus.
Booster shots of mRNA coronavirus vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) increase antibodies by about 10 times.
Boosters can provide further protection against the Omicron variant; early data shows this variant is more transmissible than other variants.
I have not been able to be vaccinated: Will Bay Path provide a means for me to be vaccinated?
COVID-19 vaccinations are available at your local pharmacy.
If there is a case of COVID-19, what protocols are in place to protect the community?
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 or a variant, you will be required to return home to isolate to ensure the health and safety of the Bay Path community. For extenuating circumstances, Bay Path has designated a separate student housing area for isolation for residential students only.
What do I do if I think I was exposed to COVID-19?
Step 1
Do I meet all four (4) criteria of a "Close Contact"?
Exposed to someone confirmed to be infected (either via positive PCR test or Antigen Test) and
Interaction was indoors and Interaction was close—less than 6 feet away, and Interaction lasted at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period
If you do not meet all 4 criteria, you are not considered a close contact. No further action is needed. Continue to practice health and safety measures.
If you meet all 4 criteria, you are considered a close contact. Continue to step 2.
Step 2
QUARANTINE NOT REQUIRED
Please do the following for the 10 days following your date of last exposure:
You do not have to quarantine, and you can return to school/work with no restrictions on campus, providing you:
Wear a mask around others for the 10 days following the exposure.
Test on day 6 following the exposure, even if you are not experiencing symptoms.
Self-monitor for COVID symptoms. If you develop symptoms, isolate from others, get tested, and stay home while waiting for test results.
If negative , you may move about campus without restrictions, providing you continue to mask for a total of 10 days.
If positive , continue to isolate away from others.
What if I experience COVID-19 symptoms?
Bay Path recommends that you take a COVID-19 test. Rapid antigen tests are available during business hours in the Health Services office. Rapid antigen tests are also readily available for purchase at local pharmacies.
Faculty, staff, commuter students and other community members should not come to campus and may wish to seek consultation from a healthcare provider.
What should I do if I test positive for Covid-19?
If you tested positive, do not come to campus.
For all University members: Students and employees are no longer required to report a positive COVID-19 case to the Health Services Department (students) or to HR (employees)
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should manage their isolation and discharge independently by following the CDC guidelines on isolation.
How should I isolate myself if I live on campus and test positive for COVID-19?
If you live in university housing, you are required to isolate yourselves in your room. You may leave isolation for a limited time wearing a well-fitted mask to attend medical appointments, use bathroom facilities, pick up food, or dispose of trash. For information on grab-n-go food options or additional food information, contact residencelife@baypath.edu . Please order meals through Aramark using this form .
If you are in isolation, you should not have guests, linger in common spaces (laundry room, hallway, etc.), or attend class. It is strongly recommended that students isolate themselves at the home of a family member or friend. Everyone should wear a mask at all times when in the same room when you are in isolation.
What is the isolation timeline?
If you test positive, you must isolate for at least 5 days following Massachusetts Department of Public Health isolation guidelines. Isolation length is dependent on your test date and symptoms. You are required to isolate for at least 5 days from your onset of symptoms or your positive test date (if you do not have symptoms). If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your room/home and end your isolation. You may return to class or work, but must continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you have two negative tests taken 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask prior to day 11. If you continue to have significant or worsening symptoms after 5 days, you must continue to isolate until your symptoms are improving and you are fever-free for 24 hours. After you have ended isolation and your COVID-19 symptoms have returned or worsened, restart your isolation at day 0. If you have questions regarding your isolation timeline, please contact Health Services at healthservices@baypath.edu .
Will Bay Path be providing masks?
Bay Path does not provide masks, and all students, faculty, staff, and guests must provide their own masks.
Testing
Testing is optional. Testing remains important in preventing the spread of infection and is recommended when circumstances warrant. Test results can inform your behaviors as you consider joining in-person classes, attending events, or traveling.
Where can students and employees get tested?
Rapid antigen tests are available free of charge at the following locations through December 10, 2023:
Health Services - Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Student Life Administrative & Transportation Assistant - Breck Student Life Office - Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hatch Library
Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The Ryan Health Science Center: Call Helen Gentile at 413.565.1059
I Cannot Come to Campus to Pick Up a Test Kit.
Please visit your local pharmacy or contact your medical provider. COVID-19 tests are readily available.
What happens if I test positive and can’t attend class or work?
All classes have been fully in-person since the fall of 2022. The University will extend flexibility for anyone with any illness that prevents them from being able to attend classes. You should work with your professors to come up with the appropriate alternative plan. Faculty and staff should work with their supervisors to do the same.
Will there be van shuttle services on campus?
Since September 2022, Bay Path University has resumed shuttle service with normal operations. Safety protocols include daily disinfecting of vehicles. Mask-wearing is optional for all riders and drivers.
Will faculty or staff be able to travel to conferences, events, or business on behalf of the University?
Will visitors be allowed on campus?
Invited visitors and guests are welcome to campus. As campus buildings are accessible via the Bay Path University ID only, you will need to meet visitors at the door to let them into our buildings.
All visitors who attend campus indoor events, single-day conferences, group meetings, or are invited as guest lecturers are required to adhere to the University’s mask policy and all other COVID-19 policies. At this time, there are no masking requirements.
Masks are optional for all visitors, whether or not they are vaccinated or boosted.
Will there be contact tracing?
If you test positive, you are now responsible for informing your close contacts. We ask that you reach out to these close contacts as soon as possible to let them know of their exposure and the date, so they can take the next steps including: testing, monitoring for symptoms, and quarantining, if applicable. If any close contacts have questions about how you made your determination, we ask that you have a discussion with this individual directly.
Contact Tracing
Please think back over the last 48 hours from the day you took the test. This is considered your infectious period. Close contacts are those who you have spent 15 minutes or more within the two days prior to your positive test or developing symptoms. These commonly include roommates, close friends, and intimate partners.
Please alert all close contacts that you have tested positive.
Your close contacts should be advised to wear a high-quality mask around others for 10 days.
It is recommended that close contacts test 5 days after you last saw them or if symptoms develop.
Please feel free to forward the below email template when notifying your close contacts.
Hello - I am reaching out to let you know that I tested positive for COVID-19 and I am currently in isolation. As part of my isolation instructions, I have been asked to notify each person who I believe to be a close contact. A close contact is someone who in the 48 hours prior to my test positive date, who were less than 6 feet from me indoors for more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period. Your Day 0 is the last day we were together and you were less than 6 feet from me indoors for more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period. As a precaution and to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19, I am providing you with the information on where you can find free testing kits.
If I come in close contact with an employee or student who has tested positive for COVID-19 can I get tested on campus?
Yes. Rapid antigen tests will continue to be available, free of charge, until December 10, 2023 at the following locations:
Health Services - Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Student Life Administrative & Transportation Assistant - Breck Student Life Office - Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Hatch Library
Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The Ryan Health Science Center: Call Helen Gentile at 413.565.1059
