Health & Safety Information

Masking is optional in indoor spaces at Stonehill College. Masking is also optional for entrance into Health Services, the Athletic Training Room, and the Counseling Center. However, please be advised that health-related facilities may make a change to their area based on current needs and require masks. In those situations, the facility will post signs locally. Those who test positive for COVID-19 or are identified as a close contact should also continue wearing a mask in accordance with isolation and quarantine protocols. Individuals may continue wearing a mask if they choose for any reason, and we support them in that choice.

Yes, guests and visitors may access campus. Non-student, overnight guests are also permitted in the residence halls. Resident students wishing to register an overnight guest should do so through the guest registration process in myHill. Additional information is available here.

Asymptomatic surveillance testing is not required, nor available on campus.

Yes. The College does provide symptomatic testing to students, faculty, and staff. During business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday), students experiencing symptoms should contact Health Services directly at 508-565-1307.

We recommend that students pack a few rapid test kits when they move to campus so that they can test on their own if necessary (such as after business hours). Health Services leaves a few test kits in a weather-proof bin by the back door of their office as a courtesy for after-hours self-management for individuals that may not have remembered to pack or purchase test kits.

Students with questions regarding general health information and/or vaccines can contact Health-Services@stonehill.edu or 508-565-1307.

Employees experiencing symptoms should contact their primary care provider first and follow up with the Employee Health and Wellness Coordinator Monique Avila at 508-565-1608.

Rapid tests are on sale at most major retail pharmacies. 

We continue to recommend all community members stay informed regarding updated CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines for vaccinations and managing respiratory illness including COVID-19 and Influenza. 

As our policies evolve to incorporate greater personal responsibility and risk assessment, we will request that community members follow important protocols if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness, or you test positive for a respiratory illness:

• Stay home and away from others if you have respiratory virus symptoms (self-isolate).
• Self-isolate until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication and your symptoms are improving per the state guidelines.
• After completing your isolation, you can resume normal activity with certain precautions.

For at least the first 5 days after you resume normal activities, take these extra precautions:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.

Managing Symptoms

Most symptoms of COVID-19 can be managed with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, rest, and fluids, but some people experience severe symptoms. If you are experiencing severe symptoms (e.g. trouble breathing; persistent pain or pressure in the chest; new confusion; inability to wake or stay awake; or pale/gray/blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds depending on skin tone), call for medical help immediately. 

Academic Support and Extracurriculars

Students are advised to work with their faculty members if they are ill, for any reason.  Students should reach out to their professors directly and promptly to inform them of their projected absence and to inquire about alternative arrangements for accessing course material.  Academic Services can also offer assistance to students who are navigating illness.  Students employed on campus or serving as members of clubs or athletic teams, are encouraged to reach out to those group leaders or managers as well.   

Need Assistance?

Community members with questions about health and wellness protocols, can call the following numbers during normal business hours:

• Students: 508-565-1307
• Employees: 508-565-1608

If students need assistance for a non-emergent case of COVID after normal business hours, students can call their Resident Director. For emergencies, call Campus Police (508-565-5100) or 911.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should arrange for food to be delivered to your residence hall in order to minimize the spread of the virus. 

If you are unable to have food delivered, various on-campus dining venues, including Gigi's, Ace's Place, Lux Cafe, The Hill, and Dunkin', offer to-go meal options. It is suggested that students who have tested positive for COVID-19 ask a peer to pick up a to-go meal for them from one of these venues and deliver it to their residence hall. 

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID: 

• You do not need to quarantine as long as you remain asymptomatic, regardless of your vaccination status. You may return to work/school on campus. 
• You should wear a mask any time you are around others inside your home, residence hall, or indoors in public for 10 days following your exposure. 
• Depending on the date of your last exposure, your goal should be to test on day 5 regardless of symptoms. 
• You should self-monitor for COVID symptoms.  
• If you develop symptoms, isolate yourself from others, get tested, and stay home while waiting for the test results. 
• If positive, continue to isolate away from others and call Health Services 508-565-1307 if you are a student. If you are an employee call Employee Health and Wellness 508-565-1608.  
• If negative, you may move about campus without restrictions (with mask around others). 

The College uses an email system to provide isolation guidance to those individuals who test positive for COVID or self-identify their positive status. Positive individuals are asked to fill out a close contact form within the isolation guidance email in order to identify their close contacts, who will subsequently receive an email notification through our system to ensure that close contacts have received up-to-date guidance. Please note that your identity will be kept confidential.  The College will then use email systems to perform contact tracing, and all community members are expected to cooperate with these contract tracing efforts.  

Yes. While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us. The College believes it is important to continue to follow Massachusetts Guidance.

The College highly recommends that all community members stay up to date with COVID vaccinations per CDC guidance.

Each year during the fall semester, the Office of Health Services and the Employee Health & Wellness Center partner to offer on-campus vaccine clinics for COVID-19 and influenza. In advance of these clinics, a registration link is typically sent to campus community members via email. To help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses, all are encouraged to sign up for a vaccine appointment when they are made available.

We highly recommend that all individuals receive their annual flu vaccine. It’s best to be vaccinated before flu begins spreading in your community. However, vaccination is still recommended because flu most commonly peaks in February and significant activity can continue into May.