COVID-19 Community Guidelines & Policies 2020-21

The following guidelines reflect instructions received from the Governor or best practices recommended by the CDC, and are expectations we have for all members of the H-SC community.

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If you are feeling sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, start with these resources to help protect yourself, your community, and your friends as we all work to stop the spread.

VA Department of Health COVID Check

The Virginia Department of Health has launched a free mobile app for COVID-19 exposure notification called COVIDWISE . We are encouraging you and all members of our campus community to download this app. It notifies participants when they may have been exposed to other app users who’ve reported positive COVID-19 test results. 

Get the COVIDWISE APP

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Face Masks
When you are on campus, you must wear a facial mask when entering or exiting your building and when you are meeting with and in close proximity to others. Exceptions are allowed for those who have a condition that causes trouble breathing or are unable to remove the mask without help, or if a health condition prohibits you from wearing a face mask. Please note that the use of face masks does not replace the need to maintain six feet of physical social distancing or other recommended measures.

*Masks must be worn so that both the nose and mouth are covered and remain covered. Multi-layer cloth masks have been found to be significantly more effective than neck gaiters and bandanas and are therefore required on campus. The CDC does not recommend using surgical masks or N-95 respirators, masks that have an exhalation valve or vent, or face shields as a substitute for masks.

Social Distancing
Keeping space between you and others, even when wearing a face mask, is one of the best tools we have to avoid transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Since people can spread the virus even if they have no symptoms or before they know they are sick, it is important to stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people. Employees are encouraged to communicate with colleagues and supervisors by email, messaging, video-conferencing, telephone, or other available technology rather than face-to-face.

Handwashing
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, before and after eating, or after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching your face. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Staying Home When Sick
Do not come to school or work if you are experiencing symptoms potentially related to COVID-19, which may include one or more of the following:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

If you have been sick, you must be free of symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 or have had an evaluation and been cleared by a physician before returning to school or work.

And please, no visitors
No student may host any guests on campus until further notice. We ask that all other visitors please refrain from visiting the campus if you have been in contact with someone who is feeling ill, if you have been exposed to someone affected by COVID-19, or if you are feeling sick.

This following describes the broad tenets of the College’s COVID-19 testing approach for the spring 2021 semester. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, these measures and approaches are subject to change, especially as new recommendations are released by public health entities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

On-Board Testing (Post-Winter Break)

All students were required to be tested for COVID-19 upon returning to campus in January. Students could not attend class until they were tested.

Weekly Prevalence Testing

Throughout the spring semester, the College is conducting prevalence testing of randomly selected students on a weekly basis. Students who are chosen must report for prevalence testing in order to attend class. Per CDC recommendations, 10% of our students will be randomly selected to be tested to gauge how the campus is doing with respect to infection rates. The random sampling will be done in a way that is also geographically diverse in order to adequately cover the residential areas of the campus. This will continue throughout the semester as long as needed. Students who miss the scheduled testing time will be contacted and asked to report for testing the following morning. If they also miss the "second chance," students will again be contacted, along with their professors, and not be allowed to attend class until testing has been administered.

Wastewater Testing

As was the case in the fall semester, the College will continue to conduct wastewater testing to monitor for COVID-19 presence on campus. Wastewater samples are pulled from residential areas only. Wastewater samples will be pulled and tested on approximately 10-day intervals. 

Post-Spring Break Testing

The College plans to conduct mass testing as students return from spring break, consistent with testing approaches following the Thanksgiving and winter breaks.

Additional Information

General COVID-19 precautions will also remain in place during the spring semester, including mask wearing, social distancing, frequent hand washing, and daily symptom monitoring. The College’s COVID-19 Dashboard will continue to be updated regularly.

Updated: January 25, 2021

Facilities and Services

Academic Success will continue to support students during regular business hours Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm and after hours Mondays 7-9pm via teleconference. Call (434) 223-6188 to schedule or reschedule an appointment.

Library services and research help is available to current Hampden-Sydney College faculty, staff, and students. You can reach us via the Bortz Library website by using the "Ask a Librarian" button, at reference@hsc.edu, or by calling the Circulation Desk at (434) 223-7227. Library spaces and services have been arranged to allow for adequate space between patrons, including at service desks and seating areas.

Business Officefront desk will be open from 8:30 am till 12:00 noon each day.  Any paperwork may be mailed to Box 127, if necessary. 

Campus Store is open 10am-3pm, Monday-Friday. Online orders are shipped daily.

College Church: College Presbyterian Church is open and worshipping on Sunday mornings.

Computing Center is available by appointment only for all on-campus help. The office will continue to assist you via phone or email Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm. Students, faculty, and staff may call the HELP Desk at (434) 223-6911 during business hours.

Counseling Center: Hampden-Sydney Counseling Center staff members stand ready to assist you in any way possible. Please do not hesitate to call us at (434) 223-6411 or (434) 808-2201 if we can be of assistance.

Custodial Operations: Campus cleaning and disinfecting protocols and procedures have been enhanced in public spaces. Special emphasis will be placed on sanitizing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, including handrails, door handles, elevator control panels and buttons, restrooms, water bottle-filling stations, and countertops.

Dining Services: The Tiger Inn and the Commons will have limited hours until August 20th when they will begin full service. A detailed plan of modifications to fall dining operations is available on the Campus Reopening Plan page.

Ferguson Career Center will remain fully operational Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm, focusing on electronic communications and services including phone and virtual meetings,  social media communication, the  Hire a Tiger blog.  Students on campus may request in person meetings and walk & talks.   Make an appointment. 

Global Education and Study Abroad: The Global Ed Office is fully operational Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm. Students can request in-person or remote advising sessions: Schedule an appointment.

Post Office will remain open with normal business hours.

The Registrar's Office is working remotely Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm and is available via phone or email.

The Rhetoric Studio will continue to offer online consultations Monday-Thursday, 10am-5:30pm using Google Hangouts. Make an appointment.

TigeRec Fitness Center and Leggett Pool are open to current members, students, faculty, and staff. Fleet Gymnasium will remain closed. Please review the TigeRec Phase Two Reopening Guidelines as you prepare to use these facilities.

Visitors: No student may host any guests on campus until further notice. We ask that all other visitors please refrain from visiting the campus if you have been in contact with someone who is feeling ill, if you have been exposed to someone affected by COVID-19, or if you are feeling sick.

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Events

College Events: All large campus events, including athletic events and traditional large gatherings, ceremonies, and performances, will be cancelled, conducted virtually, or postponed during the fall semester.

Commencement , in celebration of Class of 2020, has been rescheduled for April 24.

NCAA Athletics: The Old Dominion Athletic Conference and its member institutions, including Hampden-Sydney, postponed conference competition and championships for fall and winter sports through the end of the 2020 calendar year. The ODAC Presidents' Council, in consultation with the ODAC Board of Directors, has endorsed a plan for a return to collegiate competition during the 2021 spring semester and has devised an  athletic events spectator policy. Contest schedules are forthcoming. 

Reunion Weekend  has been canceled.

For a record of all College communications to the community regarding coronavirus Covid-19, please visit the COVID Communications page.

Following Governor Northam’s release of the Commonwealth’s guidelines for the reopening of Virginia’s colleges and universities, Hampden-Sydney College submitted an expansive campus reopening plan to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). This plan was reviewed by the State Council of Higher Education and found to be compliant in containing the required components of the ‘Higher Education Reopening Guidance,’ which was developed in consultation with the Virginia Department of Health.

Here is the short list of what we are doing to address your health and well-being:

• Enhancing campus-wide cleaning and disinfecting protocols
• Making hand sanitizer readily available all over campus
• Limiting the sharing of supplies
• Reconfiguring learning environments to allow for physical distancing 
• Accomodating and encouraging virtual communication, when possible
• Assigning limits to all classroom occupancy and enrollment
• Arranging library and other public spaces to allow for adequate physical distancing
• Arranging one-way traffic flow in buildings
• Limiting entry to residence halls and dorm rooms
• Reconfiguring living areas  to allow for adequate physical distancing
• Reconfiguring dining areas  to allow for adequate physical distancing
• Including take-out food options and outdoor dining areas
• Monitoring and limiting occupancy in dining areas
• Modifying activity, event, and social gathering protocols
• Helping and educating the community about monitoring their health
• Preparing a plan if/when someone becomes ill
• Working closely with local and state health experts

Here is what you can do:

• Wear a face mask
• Maintain social distancing
• Wash your hands frequently
• Keep your personal spaces clean and don't share supplies
• Follow dining area and food service protocols
• Follow residence hall social distancing guidelines
• Monitor your health daily
• If you feel sick, stay home

H-SC Reopening Plan FAQs

COVID-19 Fall Update FAQs

Please review Hampden-Sydney's reopening plan for the complete list of our extensive changes to campus and how it affects you.

No Visitation

No student may host guests on campus until further notice.  Unless absolutely necessary, students should refrain from visiting Farmville’s restaurants and bars, and they should avoid visiting Longwood University or any other nearby institutions.

The 10-4 Academic Plan

Hampden-Sydney has developed an innovative “10-4 Plan” for the fall semester and "4-10 Plan" for the spring semester. This will offer flexibility as we face continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. Please note that this has necessitated a shift to dates and deadlines on the official Academic Calendar.

Spring Calendar Changes

• January 9: new and transfer students move-in
• January 10: all other students report
• January 11: first day of 4-week session classes
• February 5: last day of 4-week session classes
• February 8-9: final exams
• February 15: first day of 10-week session classes
• March 27-April 4: Spring Break
• April 30: last day of 10-week session classes
• May 2-5: final exams
• May 8: Class of 2021 Commencement
  View Full Academic Calendar

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds

For information on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act grants to students, please visit our  CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students page.

For information on the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) grants to students, please visit our CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students page.

For information on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP Act) grants to students, please visit our ARP Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students page.

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Forms

COVID-19 History form

Daily Self-Monitoring form

Travel form

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Please review the Campus Reopening Plan page for a complete look at the n ecessary steps to safeguard you and members of our faculty, staff, and community from the coronavirus COVID-19.

Please be scrupulous in following the recommended public health precautions on campus: wearing facial masks indoors, frequent hand washing, maintaining social distance (at least 6 feet from other people), and staying off campus and at home if you feel ill.

Face Masks: When you are on campus, you must wear a facial mask when entering or exiting your building and when you are meeting with and in close proximity to others. Exceptions are allowed for those who have a condition that causes trouble breathing or are unable to remove the mask without help, or if a health condition prohibits you from wearing a face mask. Please note that the use of face mask does not replace the need to maintain six feet of physical social distancing or other recommended measures.

Individuals who are at greater risk: Your health and welfare are of paramount concern. Initial guidance from the CDC indicates that certain individuals are at a higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, including older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease. College employees who believe that they are at a higher risk, are immunocompromised, or live with family members who are at higher risk should contact Human Resources to discuss alternative work arrangements.

If you are not feeling well, contact your doctor.Please use this daily symptom checklist as a resource.  Do not unwittingly bring the COVID-19 virus to campus.

If you have been sick, you must be free of symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 or have had an evaluation and been cleared by a physician before returning to work. Contact Human Resources if you have any questions about coming to work if you are not feeling well or returning to work following an illness.

Human Resources leave policies: We encourage all of our employees who are able to work from home, or self-isolate on campus, to do so. Work with your supervisor and HR on devising a plan that best suits you and your department. Many creative ways of accomplishing our daily job duties have sprung up recently, and we are happy to accommodate our employees so the wellness of our workforce can be preserved. Those who are not able to telework or work on campus may be eligible for one of three FFCRA leave parts:

1. Emergency Sick Leave, for employees directly impacted by COVID-19, provides 10 days of paid sick leave at 100% of the employee’s pay rate. An employee is considered directly impacted if she or he has been quarantined by a local, state, or federal order, or a health care professional (for any reason), OR if she or he exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking diagnosis and treatment.
2. Emergency Sick Leave, for employees indirectly impacted by COVID-19, provides 10 days of paid sick leave at 2/3 of the employee’s pay rate. An employee is considered indirectly impacted if an individual that the employee is caring for is quarantined by a local, state, or federal order, or a health care professional (for any reason), OR exhibits symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking diagnosis or treatment, OR if an employee has a child whose school or daycare closed due to COVID-19.
3. Expanded FMLA is for employees whose children are affected by COVID-19 school or daycare closures. Eligible employees can receive up to 12 weeks of leave, paid at 2/3 of the employee’s pay rate. There is a 10 day waiting period, but those 10 days can be covered by #2 above.

If you qualify for FFCRA leave, please notify your supervisor and Human Resources, as such leave needs to be documented properly. Full-time and part-time employees may be eligible.

Finally, if none of this applies to you, and if you cannot telework but simply do not feel safe coming to campus full time, please reach out as we may have a customized solution for you too.

Work-related travel: All non-essential work-related travel is prohibited. Please consult with your area’s senior staff member with any questions.

Other Travel Information: Are you or have you been traveling? All members of the community should continue to update the College about any travel using this travel information form.

Employee Wellbeing: LiveHealth Online continues to be available for all of our employees who need expert medical advice, care, and/or prescriptions but do not require an in-person doctor visit. The Employee Assistance Program is also available to offer emotional support during this stressful period. Both of these benefits can be accessed through video technology available on most smartphones, tablets, and computers with a camera. For assistance in accessing either benefit, please contact Human Resources.

Please review the Campus Reopening Plan page for a complete look at the n ecessary steps to safeguard our community from the coronavirus COVID-19.

Then, use this form to share any questions and concerns you may have as the fall semester approaches.

While we recognize the ongoing risk that COVID-19 continues to present across the United States, here are a few of the factors unique to Hampden-Sydney that allow us to provide our students with the best opportunity to live and learn in a safe environment on campus this fall. 

• Location. Our rural location in the Heart of Virginia enables us to educate our young men in a setting removed from the hustle and bustle of larger communities, and gives us confidence as we plan for a safe resumption of on-campus life in the fall.
• A lot of real estate and a small population. Our 1,330 acre campus provides more than an acre per student on which to socially distance! Seriously, with small classes and a large campus, it will be easier for us to manage the social distancing that will be required to have students back on college campuses.
• New student residences create timely flex space elsewhere on campus. A new residential complex will open this fall, allowing us a unique opportunity to have additional housing available if needed to quarantine students who develop symptoms or who need to be isolated based on their contact with someone known to have contracted the coronavirus.
• Flexibility and individual attention in teaching. Hampden-Sydney has always offered a personal approach to teaching. Our professors are used to working closely with students who become ill or who fall behind in their coursework, helping them to stay on track and successfully complete their classes. This is an ongoing commitment to our students.
• Medical staff, equipment, supplies, and testing. Showcasing the success and generosity of our powerful alumni brotherhood, an alumnus and trustee who owns a biotech firm that conducts biological surface testing for the coronavirus has offered to help us with ongoing monitoring and early detection of the virus on campus. We are also prepared to expand the services of our medical doctor and are procuring PPE and other supplies for our professional medical staff to use in assisting students and to support additional healthcare needs next year. Our staff continues to receive and follow guidance from the Virginia Department of Health and CDC as circumstances and best practices change.

These are just some of the advantages that will help us be positioned for a safe opening in the fall. We are working closely with state and local governments as we prepare to provide a safe environment in which to live, learn, and work. If you are concerned about the effects of the coronavirus on the large or urban campus that you may have chosen, or if you are looking for an campus-based personalized learning experience, then I hope you will consider the advantages our small, rural, idyllic college campus can offer.

Campus Visits
Virtual Campus Visit: In this format, you will receive a guided tour of campus and hear about the transforming power of the Hampden-Sydney educational experience from faculty and staff members and students via Zoom. We will get back to you regarding the details of your itinerary to ensure your experience is as personalized as possible and fits your needs to experience our campus in a meaningful way.

Personal Campus Visit:
We want to allow you the opportunity to see our campus in person. While practicing strict social distancing protocols, we will give you a guided tour of campus, answer your questions, and connect you with members of our faculty, staff, and students as best we can. Before you visit, please review the H-SC Pre-Visit Risk Assessment and H-SC's Social Distancing Protocols. We appreciate your cooperation.

CDC Recommendations for Prevention of COVID-19

Know how it spreads
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

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Everyone should

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid close contact with anyone outside your household.
  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, or use the inside of your elbow.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face mask when around others
  • Everyone should wear a cloth face mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Monitor your health daily

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Education

• Dr. Kristian Hargadon ’01, Elliott Associate Professor of Biology at H-SC, has produced several educational videos
  
• COVID-19 - Pathogenesis and Prevention

Other Resources

• VDH (VA Department of Health) vaccine registry site
• CDC Travel Guidance
• CDC Recommendations for Prevention and Treatment
• COVIDWISE App from the VA Dept of Health
• Virginia Department of Health General Information
• World Health Organization General Information