COVID-19 Info for the H-SC Community

While on-board testing will not be conducted by the College, students are encouraged to test themselves just prior to arriving on campus. Over-the-counter tests are now readily available in Farmville and elsewhere, and students are urged to keep rapid tests in their rooms for ease of use.

COVID-19 remains a part of our lives. The College strongly recommends that all members of the community get vaccinated, given the continued evidence that vaccination greatly reduces the likelihood of experiencing serious symptoms. While on-board testing will not be conducted by the College, students are encouraged to test themselves just prior to arriving on campus. Over-the-counter tests are now readily available in Farmville and elsewhere, and students are urged to keep rapid tests in their rooms for ease of use.

Students experiencing COVID-like symptoms should report to the Student Health Center for testing. Those who test positive on a self-administered test are required to notify the Student Health Center immediately at (434) 223-6167. The College will continue to follow CDC guidelines for isolation and quarantine:

• Currently, those who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days and may return from isolation after 5 days if fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication), and if symptoms are improving.
• Students who test positive are expected to isolate at home whenever possible; accommodations will be made for students unable to return home.
• The CDC no longer requires quarantine for those who come into contact with a positive individual. However, the CDC does recommend masking for 10 days and testing after 5 for those considered close contacts.  

Masking is optional in public areas of shared academic and campus buildings. Faculty and staff members may require masking in classrooms and offices. All are encouraged to be mindful of the fact that we share campus space with individuals who have serious health concerns for themselves or others close to them. If someone asks you to continue to mask up in a classroom or an office, please respect that request in the spirit of community that makes this college such an incredible place to live and learn.

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.

Forms

COVID-19 Vaccine Documentation

COVID-19 History form

Daily Self-Monitoring form

Travel form

Masking is optional in public areas of academic and campus buildings. However, faculty and staff members may determine the masking requirements for their individual classrooms, offices, and work spaces. Employees who do not provide proof of vaccination to the College may be required to follow precautions. Please complete a brief survey regarding your vaccination status.

Federally mandated COVID-19-related employee accommodations available in 2020-21, including Emergency Sick Leave for employees directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19 and Expanded FMLA leave, no longer apply, and primary work from campus is expected effective July 1. Faculty and staff members seeking COVID-related accommodations should contact the Dean of the Faculty and Human Resources, respectively, to discuss options.

COVID Leave & Quarantine Policies

• Employees, vaccinated or unvaccinated, will receive up to 10 working days of COVID leave if they test positive for COVID-19.
• Vaccinated employees who have direct contact (15 or more minutes in any 24 hour period, within 6 feet, unmasked) with a positive or presumed positive COVID case may continue to come to work but must submit to testing within 3-5 days of direct contact, and must wear a mask and socially distance when around others in accordance with the most current CDC guidelines.
• Unvaccinated employees who have direct contact (15 or more minutes in any 24 hour period, within 6 feet, unmasked) with a non-household member who tested positive or is a presumed positive COVID case must quarantine according to the most current CDC guidelines. Given that the direct contact could have been avoided by mask wearing and social distancing, employees falling into this category will not receive COVID leave and instead must use their vacation leave, sick leave, or leave without pay.
• Unvaccinated employees who have direct contact with a household member who tested positive or is presumed positive for COVID must contact their supervisor and HR, and will be evaluated for COVID leave eligibility on a case by case basis.

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.

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.

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

COVID-19 Communications 2020

COVID-19 Communications 2021-22