For the Spring 2021 semester, The University of Baltimore will continue to meet the many challenges of the pandemic with one principle in mind: In order to deliver and receive a quality education, first our community must be healthy and safe. Ensuring your protection, whether you are a student, professor or staff member, has been our top consideration. So far, we have achieved this goal. For 2021, we will continue to emphasize this commitment—to be smart, be careful, and remain vigilant.
Until everyday conditions change, the following will be in effect for our campus:
- UB will remain online.
- Any faculty, staff, and students with a need to visit campus, must be pre-approved by the President. Recent COVID-19 test results must be provided, and a REDCap symptom check also is required on the day-of. Visit this page for details.
- Specified areas of the Angelos Law Center are accessible to limited number of approved members of the UB community to support specific operations.
- Faculty studio spaces are available for synchronous instruction and recordings, for faculty for whom effective remote teaching is not possible. Professors should contact the Office of the Provost for details.
- The Bogomolny Library is available to the community on an online basis.
- Faculty and staff access to offices is not permitted during the semester, but during pre-announced dates and times, and following campus access protocols, faculty and staff may enter their offices. Access is limited; activities should be deemed necessary for instructional purposes.
- No student employees are working on campus during the semester. Also, an internship, practicum or similar student placement will be permitted only if the host organization provides UB with a statement of compliance with federal and state public-health guidelines pertaining to the pandemic.
- Technology needs continue to be met by the Office of Technology Services using the same methods established in Spring 2020.
February COVID Testing
The University will require another COVID test for all individuals coming to campus. Periodic surveillance testing is a way to identify asymptomatic individuals and help stop the spread of the virus. Tests must have been taken on or after Feb. 1, 2021. Employees working full-time on campus may be given release time for testing. These employees and their supervisors will coordinate schedules to ensure necessary staffing levels each day. Employee Bee Cards for on-campus employees will be deactivated Monday, March 1, if test results are not submitted.
Employees should email proof of their negative COVID test result to HR at employeehealth@ubalt.edu.
In case of a positive test, HR will provide guidance for when an employee may return to campus as well as guidance for co-workers and other members of the campus community.
Recently, the volume of testing is causing delays in getting results compared to testing in the fall. Please plan ahead for testing. Baltimore City and the surrounding counties each have their own web pages detailing testing sites. A list of the relevant links can be found here. Many sites offer appointments or indicate appointments preferred but allow walk-ins. An employee may choose where to receive a COVID test. The sites coordinated through the state, city and county health departments offer free testing. Some of the private clinics and pharmacies offer testing but may require a co-pay. UB will not cover the cost of the co-pay.
Campus Access
Campus Access days have been scheduled from March 1-4. These days are intended for faculty and staff to retrieve materials to prepare for the spring semester or to support ongoing telework. It is expected that employees will spend less than one hour on campus for this purpose. Campus buildings will be accessible between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Employees coming to campus must complete three steps:
1. Register to come to campus using this web form. This list will be used to activate Bee Cards and to track which spaces are accessed. Employees who do not register will not be able to access campus buildings.
2. Provide proof of a negative COVID test. The test must be taken on or after Feb. 15. Email test results to employeehealth@ubalt.edu.
3. Complete the one-time REDCap campus access form on the day you plan to visit, confirming no symptoms or exposure prior to coming to campus.
If you have questions regarding these topics, please email employeehealth@ubalt.edu.
In 2020, using funds provided by the federal government and the UB Foundation, we invested in resources to provide high-quality instruction in the online environment. At the same time, we continue to support the telework approach for all employees. The only exceptions, where in-person reporting is required, are for UB Police and our housekeeping and facilities maintenance staff. Our decision to remain online and in a telework environment minimizes the burden on these staff members.
This coming spring, you can expect an exceptional experience from your University of Baltimore. At the top of that to-do list, as always, is your health and safety. Please continue to work with us as we put into place the things that ensure that UB is a great place to learn, teach, and work.
Have a successful spring semester!
FAQs
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Knowing that UB is online these days, I've got questions about my basic needs for the fall semester. Like ...