Dear Commuter Students,
Welcome to Spring 2022 at UMBC! Whether you are a new or returning Retriever, we are excited to have you and look forward to connecting. If there is ever any way Off-Campus Student Services can be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us or stop by our office in Commons 1A02, right next to the Bookstore.
As we gear up for another semester, OCSS wants to make sure we continue to keep our UMBC community as safe as possible from the Omicron variant of COVID-19. We have been extremely successful in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 because of all of you and that is not lost on us. You make the difference and we appreciate you for that. To ensure that we remain on the right path, this letter is intended to review UMBC’s COVID-19 response and the safety measures that will continue to keep our community safe.
KN95 masks are required. All community members are currently required to wear a KN95 or equivalent mask indoors in public spaces at UMBC. This includes in classrooms, on transportation, and inside dining facilities when not actively eating. KN95 equivalent masks include: an N95, KN95, or KF94 mask, FFP2-3, or a double surgical mask. Free KN95 masks are available during business hours at the UMBC Police Station, Campus Card and Dining Services, the Retriever Activities Center, The Commons Information Center, and the Albin O. Kuhn Library Circulation Desk.
Entry testing is required for Spring 2022. All community members are required to take an on-campus PCR test on the first day they return to campus. If possible, we also recommend that you take an at home rapid test the day before you return to campus in addition to the required PCR. Here is some additional information on how to test.
Vaccinations are required. The University System of Maryland and UMBC are requiring all students, faculty and staff to remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. This includes an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine—a “booster shot”—when you are eligible. Make sure to report your vaccines or request an exemption as soon as possible.
Maintain physical distance and limit gatherings. Evaluate all of your group activities. Other than going to class, we strongly encourage moving group meetings and study groups online. Many of OCSS’ activities will be online. When conditions permit, we will also offer some safe in-person options for events.
With your assistance, we look forward to a productive, safe, and exciting Spring 2022 semester. If you have questions about OCSS programming or services, please contact us at ocss@umbc.edu. We appreciate your help and commitment to ensuring that UMBC remains healthy. Best wishes on a successful term!
Sincerely,
M. Antonio Silas, Ph.D.
Director, Off-Campus Student Services
Joshua Gray
President, Student Government Association
