A Message About the Fall Semester
In fall 2021, the University of Baltimore will expand campus-based instruction and learning. The increased campus presence will be managed within public health guidelines, with an expectation that mask-wearing and social distancing will be required of all within the campus community and that campus spaces will only be used once they have been assessed and prepared for use. Two positions are being hired to assist with campus-based testing and symptom tracking, and updated FAQs will be posted as they are available.
The School of Law, consistent with its accreditation requirements, is planning to return to campus-based classes. The leadership of the other three academic units will determine priorities for face-to-face, hybrid, and fully online instruction, with an eye to delivering students the best instruction possible under the existing and anticipated public health conditions. Laboratory-based courses will have priority in preparation for fall use. As public health improves, campus presence will continue to expand.
A full range of campus activities, formal and informal, support the growth of our scholarly community and the success of our students. Our accreditation, mission, and values tie to our campus and its resources. Campus presence is important to some instruction but ultimately it is about more than instruction; it is also a way we create more opportunities to strengthen our connections to each other through mentoring, collegiality, and service. The University of Baltimore has the student experience and community engagement as central values. The University’s service to the City is a keystone of its identity and its place within the USM. As the City begins to reopen its public spaces, the University will be prepared to share those spaces again.
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:
- UBalt 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 UBalt 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 UBalt 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.
April 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 March 29, 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 April 18 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.
At this time, fully vaccinated employees are still required to be tested. Vaccinated individuals can carry and transmit the virus to unvaccinated employees.
Campus Access
Campus Access days have been scheduled from April 12-15. These days are intended for faculty and staff to retrieve materials from their offices. 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 March 29. 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.
In 2020, using funds provided by the federal government and The University of Baltimore 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 UBalt 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 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 UBalt is a great place to learn, teach, and work.
Have a successful spring semester!
FAQs
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Knowing that UBalt is online these days, I've got questions about my basic needs for the fall semester. Like ...
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Where can I get the latest information on local conditions regarding the pandemic? How can I sign up for the vaccine?
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What information about colleges and universities is being provided by the Centers for Disease Control?
The CDC has published these guidelines for maintaining a safe and healthy environment on college and university campuses.