COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
You've got questions about life at The University of Baltimore this fall. We've got answers:
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Will a COVID-19 vaccination be required to be on campus?
Yes. The University System of Maryland has mandated that all students, staff and faculty on its campuses, including The University of Baltimore, be fully vaccinated prior to coming to campus. Campus members will need to provide documentation of vaccination or of a medical or religious exemption. In general, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines; or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine.
Faculty, staff and students who will be accessing campus in the fall should plan to be fully vaccinated by Aug. 1.For information about the vaccine mandate, submitting proof of vaccination or to request an exemption, visit the Vaccine Requirements page.
Documentation—either of vaccination or of an approved exemption—will be sufficient for an individual's presence on campus and, therefore, for participation in all on-campus events or activities.
NOTE: If conditions call for vaccinated people to receive a booster, The University of Baltimore will work with the Maryland Department of Health and the Baltimore City Health Department to assist students and employees in accessing a booster vaccine as it becomes available, following federal and state guidelines.
To schedule your COVID-19 vaccine in Maryland, visit Massvax.maryland.gov or call 1.855.MD.GOVAX (1.855.634.6829).
For those outside of Maryland, visit the CDC's Vaccine Finder or call 1.800.232.0233.
For additional assistance, contact Stephen Mogar, case manager in the Office of Student Support and the Dean of Students, at smogar@ubalt.edu.
Information on visiting campus is available here.
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Do I still need to wear a mask if I’m vaccinated? What are the rules for social distancing?
UBalt requires that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings. This requirement will continue to be in place as long as there is sufficient risk of COVID-19 presence and spread in the community. If individuals are alone in their offices or in another campus space alone, the mask may be removed.
As masking requirements change over time, UBalt will communicate those changes. While vaccination protects an individual from getting seriously ill with COVID-19, it doesn't always prevent an individual from carrying the virus or transmitting it. Therefore, conditions on campus and in the surrounding communities will influence masking regulations.
Currently, social distancing is not enforced on campus, but it is encouraged. You should use your best judgment in determining whether or how far to stay apart from others.
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With the mask mandate, where/when am I permitted to remove my mask?
Masks may be removed indoors when alone in an office or study area or when eating/drinking. People who are not vaccinated must practice physical distancing when they are indoors and remove their face covering to eat or drink. Physical distancing is encouraged for fully vaccinated people when they are indoors and remove their face covering to eat or drink.
Fully vaccinated individuals seated in their cubicle may remove their masks if the walls of the cubicle extend above the top of their head when seated, there is a cubicle wall between themselves and other employees in the area, and social distancing can be maintained from the open side of the cubicle. -
What do International Students need to know prior to coming to campus?
UBalt will accept any vaccine authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO). For international students coming from areas where vaccines are not widely available, vaccination resources will be offered.
Read the UBalt Vaccine Mandate Processes for International Students.
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How should faculty prepare for teaching on campus this fall?
Visit the COVID-19 Information for Faculty page. While most of the basics for preparing to teach in person are available there, please keep in mind that not every scenario can be addressed on a single page. As the semester gets underway, look for additional issues to be addressed by the Office of the Provost, the deans, the president, etc.
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I lost my vaccine card. What should I do?
If you misplace your COVID-19 vaccination card, contact your vaccination provider or visit your state's Immunization Information System. Maryland residents can visit the Maryland Department of Health's ImmuNet and click on the "For Public" link to retrieve a copy of their vaccination records.
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What are the rules for COVID-19 testing, and what happens if someone tests positive on campus?
UBalt is limiting testing to unvaccinated individuals prior to accessing campus for the fall 2021 semester. You must present your negative test prior to arrival on campus. This process will take place at to-be-determined intervals, depending on overall public-health conditions.
To locate a testing site in Maryland, go to coronavirus.maryland.gov.
For those outside of Maryland, contact your healthcare provider or visit your state, tribal, local and territorial health department's website to find the latest local information on testing.
If you plan to come to campus, but you have tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home.
Students must report a positive diagnosis to studenthealth@ubalt.edu.
Faculty and staff must report a positive diagnosis to employeehealth@ubalt.edu.
Once a positive diagnosis is received, you should focus on your recovery. We will be in touch about your responsibilities as a student or employee.
If anyone (student, faculty or staff member) tests positive for COVID-19, that person cannot be on campus until it is safe for the person and for those on campus. A negative test will be required for a return.
In general, The University of Baltimore will ensure that all individuals accessing campus have complied with the USM vaccine mandate, whether by vaccination or exemption. All students, staff, and faculty will be required to adhere to UBalt's protocol regarding masking, social distancing, and safety precautions.
Testing protocols will differ for vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals, but all individuals accessing campus will be tested periodically. Student and employee support personnel will not divulge information as to vaccination status.
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Are visitors permitted to enter campus buildings?
Visitors should stop by our Campus Visitors page prior to coming to campus.
Currently, we have security ambassadors stationed in two of the academic buildings, so in most cases visitors to the campus buildings will need to be met at the building entrance by a representative of the office that they are meeting with so they may gain access. All visitors must wear a mask at all times while indoors.
The John and Frances Angelos Law Center, 1401 N. Charles St., is staffed with a security ambassador at the main entrance and can provide access to visitors entering that building. The Academic Center, located on the northwest corner of Charles Street and Mt. Royal Avenue, has a security ambassador at the main entrance, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and can provide to access to visitors during those hours. The entrance to the Academic Center is midway down the block, directly across from the law center.Visitors to the campus may also visit the University of Baltimore Police main office, located on the ground floor of the Charles Royal Building, 1319 N. Charles St., to get assistance.
All visitors must adhere to The University of Baltimore’s protocol regarding masks, social distancing and other safety precautions.
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Am I required to comply with the vaccine mandate if I want to visit campus and I am a student taking online classes, a visitor, or an employee working remotely?
Yes. All students, staff and faculty who plan to access campus must meet the requirements of the vaccine mandate to be granted access to campus buildings. This means either providing evidence of vaccination or having an approved exemption through the formal exemption process.
All visitors must adhere to The University of Baltimore’s protocol regarding masks, social distancing and other safety precautions.
Get the details for campus visitors.
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How do I sign up for a campus parking plan?
If you plan to return to campus this fall, remember that you have options for parking and transportation.
Pre-tax payroll deductions are a payment method for regular employees who need unlimited access to park in the Fitzgerald Garage. Pre-tax parkers have access to the Fitzgerald Garage 24/7 by scanning their Bee Card to enter and exit. Contractual employees are not eligible for this State of Maryland benefit, but have other plan options.
Complete the Payroll Deduction Authorization form to enroll or re-enroll in pre-tax parking. Select "Change" to re-enroll if you participated in pre-tax parking at the time of the COVID-19 closure and wish to resume deductions, or "New" if you have never enrolled in pre-tax parking.
Payroll deductions will begin in late August. For more information, including other parking options for regular and contractual employees and adjunct faculty, visit www.ubalt.edu/parking. For questions about parking, contact parking@ubalt.edu.
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Will campus buildings be open this fall?
All campus buildings will follow a regular schedule this fall. Building hours are subject to change, given any change to the status of the pandemic.
In the fall transitional semester, you can expect that many smaller classrooms may not be in use, because the University prefers larger classrooms to enhance health and safety. More classrooms will be used in the spring.
Learn more about the University's protocols for keeping buildings clean and functional on the Return to Campus page.
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What is required for employees or students to access campus buildings?
Employees and students must meet the requirements of the vaccine mandate to be granted access to campus buildings. This means either providing evidence of vaccination or having an approved exemption through the formal exemption process.
Bee Card access will be tied to compliance with the vaccine mandate.
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What improvements have been made to the HVAC systems in campus buildings in response to COVID-19? What about drinking fountains?
The Facilities Department engaged RMF Engineering to complete an assessment of the buildings that had limited occupancy when the campus was closed due to the pandemic. RMF reviewed the HVAC equipment and provided recommendations to improve the indoor air quality and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 through the air.
These improvements included installing higher efficiency air filters, rebalancing the HVAC systems, modifying the HVAC automation systems, and cleaning diffusers and duct work. These improvements were completed by the end of July. RMF also recommended that an ultraviolet light system be installed in the ductwork; that project is underway and will be completed during the fall semester.
Per the recommendation of the APPA for safe higher-education facilities reopening, we are locking the mouth spigots on campus drinking fountains. This is a means to deter the spread of COVID-19 through respiratory droplets which may be transmitted when a person is in close proximity to the spigot. Consequently, mouth spigots will be locked until further notice. However, the drinking water is safe, and those drinking fountains that have touch-free bottle fillers are available for use. -
How do I know if my class is offered online or in person?
Courses in the Merrick School of Business, the College of Public Affairs and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences will be offered in a variety of formats, as indicated in our course schedule. Students should look closely at what the schedule says about the format of the courses for which they registered. Assuming continued improvement in the public health situation, there will be even more courses on campus in spring 2022.
First-year undergraduates will have the opportunity to have on-campus courses as will international students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The School of Law, as required by its accreditation, has scheduled its fall courses for on-campus learning. All four schools/colleges of the University are prepared to pivot to other modalities (hybrid, online) if the public health situation calls for it.
The course schedule has notes that indicate how a course will be conducted, either in- person on campus (look for a room number and a day and meeting time); online ("web") using the Sakai learning management system only with no days or time meetings assigned; a combination of virtual meetings (generally via Zoom) that take place in real time ("synchronously") and that use Sakai for online learning not tied to a meeting time; or as a hybrid course that combines in-person and online learning (a room number will be given for the on campus days).
When a class meets on campus or meets together through a video application like Zoom at a given time, this is "synchronous" instruction. When a class uses videos, Sakai, and perhaps additional tools but does not meet together, either on campus or through live video, that is "asynchronous" instruction.
Contact your academic adviser if you have any questions about your schedule.
Remember: If you are enrolled in the Merrick School of Business, the College of Public Affairs or the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences, you may borrow a laptop or webcam from the University. The School of Law requires its students to have appropriate technology to enroll, and that information is provided to students in advance.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@ubalt.edu if you have questions about using student financial assistance to purchase technology.
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I'm enrolled but I need some technology support. What should I do?
If you are enrolled in the Merrick School of Business, the College of Public Affairs or the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences, you may borrow a laptop or webcam from the University. The School of Law requires its students to have appropriate technology to enroll, and that information is provided to students in advance.
Check with the Office of Financial Aid if you have questions about using student financial assistance to purchase technology.
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Will all campus offices be open this fall?
During the pandemic, the University expanded its online services. As we transition back to being on campus, a number of services will have some campus hours and some online availability. Campus hours for offices will be posted as the fall semester gets underway will be based on a survey of student needs. For more information on the following services, click on these links:
Academic Coaching
TutoringWriting Center
Math and Statistics Center
Advising (students can access their advisor's contact information through MyUB)
Bursar
Campus Pantry
Career Closet
Computer Labs
Disability and Access Services
Financial Aid
Office of Undergraduate and Graduate Admission
RLB Library
Law Library
Office of Diversity and International Services
Office of Technology Services
Printing Needs
Office of Records and Registration
Student Assistance ProgramAdditional services are available; check the UBalt website for more services and contact information.
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I'm a student and I need to know when student-facing offices will be open.
To support our students, UBalt will provide services both on-campus and online for fall 2021, starting Aug. 2. UBalt strives to provide flexibility in our service offerings to meet the needs of our students. Along with the health and safety of our students, this is our top priority. Staff and faculty who provide on-campus services have complied with the USM vaccine mandate. University student services, including Advising, Student Success and Support Services, the RLB Library, Financial Aid, Records and Registration, Bee Card, computer labs, etc., will be available Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on campus and online; and on Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., online only. Some offices, including those in the School of Law, will have additional or different hours; you should check to make sure the office is open before you go to campus to pay a bill, get advising, etc.
The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
The UBalt Shuttle is unavailable until further notice.
Please note that office hours are subject to change, depending on public health conditions and other related factors.
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For this fall, what are the rules for serving an internship? What about traveling for my education, such as the Global Field Studies program?
UBalt will continue to honor internships, both off-campus and in-person, as long as the site demonstrates that it follows public health recommendations.
In the fall, there may be virtual global experiences in some courses, but no trips out of the country are planned. For winterim and the spring semester, there may be courses with a global field studies component, but health protocols will determine allowable travel.
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Will employees still be able to telework?
As more on-campus operations return, employees will need to return to working on campus. The degree to which an employee may continue to telework will depend on the work performed and the needs of the office. Supervisors and department heads will work with staff to determine appropriate work schedules, including on-campus work and telework.