Messages for all Staff and Faculty

Student Arrival and Semester Plans, Vaccinations and More

Student Arrival and Semester Plans

• At this time, the College’s plan for the spring is to welcome students back to campus for classes starting on February 15. 

January 9, 2021

Dear Students, Staff and Faculty,

• We received a positive test result this morning for a staff member, and they are now in isolation at home. One close contact who has been identified by our contact tracing staff is in quarantine at home.
• The staff member will continue to be monitored by the College. The dashboard will be updated on Monday morning.
• As COVID-19 numbers continue to rise across the country, we urge you to:

January 8, 2021

Dear Students, Staff and Faculty,

We received positive test results this morning for three individuals:

Planning Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Info, Testing Scheduling, Student Updates and More

COVID-19 Vaccine

• The College has submitted documentation to the State of Massachusetts to be considered for designation as a coronavirus vaccination site. We do not know whether or not we will be approved and continue to look for opportunities to make the inoculation available to our campus community. We will keep the community informed as the process continues.

January 5, 2021

Dear Amherst Students, Staff, and Faculty,

This morning we received a positive COVID-19 test result for a student who, with permission, had arrived on campus this weekend. The individual is currently in College isolation housing, is feeling well and will continue to be cared for. Contact tracing is complete and has identified no close contacts in the College community. The result was received after this morning's regular update to the dashboard and will be reflected in tomorrow's update.

December 30, 2020

Dear Amherst Students, Staff, and Faculty,

Today we received a positive COVID-19 test result for a staff member. The individual did not work on campus recently, and contact tracing has identified no close contacts in the College community. The staff member is in isolation at home, is feeling well and will continue to be monitored. The College’s dashboard has been updated.

December 29, 2020

Dear Amherst Students, Staff, and Faculty,

Today we received a positive COVID-19 test result for a staff member. The individual was on campus yesterday, but contact tracing has identified no close contacts in the College community. The staff member is in isolation at home, has mild symptoms and will continue to be monitored. The College’s dashboard has been updated.

December 22, 2020

Dear Amherst Students, Staff, and Faculty,

Today we received positive COVID-19 test results for two staff members. Neither individual had been on campus for the time during which they would have been infectious, and both are in isolation at home. One reports no symptoms and one reports mild symptoms, but both are doing well. Contact tracing has identified no close contacts in the College community, and the two individuals had no contact with each other. Both will continue to be monitored. The College’s dashboard has been updated.

Planning Update: Temporary COVID-19 Snow Pay Policy, UMass Community COVID-19 Testing

Level 2: Heightened Awareness

Please note that no Planning Updates are scheduled for December 24 or 31. They will resume on January 7.

Temporary COVID-19 Snow Pay Policy 

• As we move further into the winter season and the possibility of snowstorms in our area increases, we want to clarify how snow days and compensation will be managed during the pandemic.

December 16, 2020

Dear Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

Congratulations—fall semester 2020 is now officially complete and we made it through, which is a testament to your cooperation, hard work, and community-mindedness. Thank you.

Our conversations over the past several weeks have been focused on what lies ahead. As I’m sure you know, public health experts are predicting a very difficult winter. I write today to tell you that we have moved the start date of the spring 2020 semester to Monday, February 15, from the previously communicated Wednesday, February 3.

Holiday Travel and Gathering Restrictions and Requirements, Testing Center Protocols and Hour Changes, New State Quarantine Rules

Level 2: Heightened Awareness

Travel and Gatherings Restrictions and COVID-19 Testing Requirements

As we approach the December break when many of you may be considering travel, we want to remind you of the important protocols you should be following:

Expanded Pratt Field Access, Return to Campus After Travel

Level 2: Heightened Awareness

Pratt Field Access Expanded

Access to Pratt Field has been expanded to on-campus students, faculty, staff and their dependents only beginning December 4 and ending at the start of the spring semester. (Members of the general public are still prohibited.) Use of the field by those who qualify is subject to the following guidelines:

December 1, 2020

Dear Faculty and Staff:

The rate of COVID-19 infection in most states across the country, including Massachusetts, continues to rise by alarming numbers. We want to remind you of requirements that are critically important for returning to campus after the Thanksgiving holiday and to keep in mind as you consider upcoming holiday plans.

Thanksgiving Week Planning Update: Quarantine Period and Lower-Risk State Changes, Broad Institute Virtual Tour

Level 2: Heightened Awareness

New Length of Quarantine Rule Adopted by Amherst

Updated state quarantine guidelines issued this week regarding those identified as “close contacts” of COVID-19-positive individuals have been adopted by the College. The length of quarantine for a close contact is now 10 days (reduced from the previously mandated period of 14 days), provided that the person:

• has no symptoms,
• tests negative at day eight or later (using a molecular diagnostic test, which is the test the College uses), and 
  continues to monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

November 21, 2020

Dear Amherst Students, Staff, and Faculty,

Late last night we received a positive COVID-19 test result for a staff member. The individual is in isolation and is currently asymptomatic and feeling well. Contact tracing has identified three close contacts, who will need to quarantine for 10 days, per the new Massachusetts guidance on length of quarantine period, while continuing to be tested.