Health and Safety
The main priority of the University in the coming months is the health and safety of the entire Bay Path community. We all play a role in limiting the spread and impact of COVID-19. Because federal, state and local public health officials may be updating or changing protocols as COVID-19 evolves, our guidelines may be updated periodically. It is strongly recommended that you visit this site for the latest information.
Quick Facts
> All members of the Bay Path community will be required to wear face masks when in public areas of our campuses.
> Students, faculty and staff will be tested for COVID-19, and tests will also be conducted periodically during the semester.
> Campus facilities, including residence halls and the Blake Dining Commons, will be closed to outside visitors until further notice.
How will Bay Path control and prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Bay Path is strictly adhering to guidelines from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding social distancing and personal protection. All community members will be educated both before they return to campus and throughout the fall semester focusing on best practices to keep themselves and others safe during the pandemic. Education will include the following:
Mandatory public-health education
Mandatory wearing of masks
Daily symptom checking of all students and employees
Physical distancing
Contact tracing
Staggered scheduling and reconfigured work spaces
Enhanced cleaning protocols in physical spaces including classrooms, restroom, and other common areas
Access to buildings through a single point and only with your Bay Path ID
No large gatherings or lectures
Will I be required to wear a face mask?
Everyone will be expected to wear a face mask, or approved face covering, that covers the nose and mouth at all times while indoors. Exceptions are when you are alone, such as in a private office or your own single-occupancy room in the residence hall. If you are not able to maintain a six (6) foot distance from others, a face mask is also required. Bay Path University will provide every student, faculty and staff member required to be on campus with two cloth face masks. In addition, three-ply disposable face masks will be positioned in strategic locations throughout the campus.
How important is social distancing?
According to the CDC , keeping space between yourself and others is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to this virus and to slowing its spread in communities. Maintaining a minimum social distance of six (6) feet is critical in the control of COVID-19. While on campus, please be aware of directional signage in buildings and hallways, as well as reconfigured spaces in classroom, offices, and common areas.
Will there be cleaning and disinfecting of common spaces on the campuses?
In addition to routine custodial cleaning, the university has implemented an enhanced cleaning frequency to clean and disinfect common areas and commonly touched surfaces in occupied buildings. Touchpoints such as entrance handles, handrails, elevator buttons, tables, restroom stall handles/doors are being cleaned at least once daily, five days a week, using EPA-registered disinfectants . In addition, Bay Path will be using Victory electrostatic sprayers that will be used to disinfect classrooms, laboratories and common areas throughout the day.
What protocols for testing have been put in place?
The University is working closely with the Massachusetts Higher Education Working Group and the Broad Institute to develop the capacity to test students and employees who will be returning to campus for the fall semester. Students and employees may be subject to mandatory testing before they arrive on campus and periodical ly thereafter. The University continues to evaluate guidance from the CDC, medical professionals and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health regarding mass testing. Look for further updates on testing protocols in the coming weeks.
I am a student from out of state. Will I need to be quarantined?
On July 1, 2020, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued new travel restrictions instructing travelers arriving into Massachusetts to self-quarantine for 14 days or prove a negative test result from within the prior 72 hour period. Travelers from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and New Jersey are exempt from these restrictions at this time . The university is closely monitoring these travel restrictions and how they may impact students arriving for the fall semester. Additional guidance for students arriving from impacted locations will be provided later in July.
How will Bay Path manage daily screening?
As part of our safety measures, we will be implementing a daily symptom tracking protocol, including, for example, temperature taking.
Additionally, you will be asked to use your ID card to enter campus buildings, classrooms, or campus spaces so that we can keep everyone informed in the case of exposure. More instructions will follow.
I am a commuter student and come to campus two to three times a week. What are my guidelines for returning to campus?
On each scheduled day you come to a physical Bay Path campus location as a commuter student, you will adhere to the daily screening protocol indicated above and be expected to follow all other health precautions like wearing a mask.
Additionally, you will be asked to use your ID card to enter campus buildings, classrooms, or campus spaces so that we can keep everyone informed in the case of exposure. More instructions will follow.
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific “sick room” or area and using a separate bathroom (if available).
A quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps to prevent the spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.
Bay Path is making provisions to accommodate affected students who may require quarantine or isolation.
What do I do if I feel sick?
If you are a resident student and are not feeling well, you should call Health Services for an appointment at 413.565.1104, during the hours of 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Should you require medical attention outside of these hours, residential life staff will be available to help you take appropriate next steps, including a visit to local urgent health care or one of the local hospitals. If needed, local Emergency Medical Services will respond.
Faculty, staff, commuter students and other community members should not come to campus and seek consultation from a health care provider. Students who test positive for COVID-19, should contact health services at 565.1104. Faculty and staff should inform Human Resources.
If I test positive for COVID-19, what are the next steps?
If you test positive, you will need to be isolated for two weeks, and until you test negative. We would prefer that you isolate at home if possible. If you have a valid reason for not returning home because of high family risk or distance, Bay Path will provide the appropriate accommodations on campus. You will be allowed to bring necessities, as well as entertainment and limited personal items. Delivery of food will be arranged with dining each day.
If you remain on campus during your isolation, you will not be permitted to leave your space for the duration of your isolation, until it is determined by the health center that you no longer exhibit symptoms. At that time, you may return to the residence halls.
Will parents or guardians be notified if I become ill, or need to be tested for COVID-19?
If you are under the age of 18, yes, your parent or guardian will be notified. Once a student reaches the age of 18 they are considered an adult and the Health Center is not allowed to share protected health information under the guidelines of HIPPA unless the student authorizes them to do so. If you are over the age of 18, you can voluntarily sign an authorized release waiver allowing the Health Center to share your health information with whomever you would like.
If I do not have cold symptoms but I still need medical care, i.e. for an injury, how will I be protected?
The Health Center will be divided into separate zones for both “sick” and “well” students respectively. Sick students will be isolated into a separate area to reduce transmission to healthy students.
What happens if another student or a member of the Bay Path community test postitive?
We will be working closely with medical and public health authorities on all necessary contact tracing and alerts.
How will I know if there are changes to the Bay Path COVID-19 Health & Safety guidelines?
You will be alerted through email, and, when appropriate, through our University text alert system.
Current students, staff and faculty, visit the Omnilert Portal to sign-up or manage your Omnilert account.
