Return to the Hill: Spring 2021
The Return to the Hill (RTTH) Task Force, created by President Roger Casey and led by Executive Vice President/Provost Julia Jasken, is a leadership committee that meets regularly to develop recommendations for the President and the Board of Trustees as we work to keep the college safe during during the COVID-19 outbreak. As the college monitors COVID-19 nationally and regionally, we will be adapting the health and safety protocols that worked successfully in the fall in order to ensure a safe spring semester. In some cases, new protocols have been put in place.
For the Fall 2020 semester, McDaniel College utilized a green, yellow, and red notification system to inform our campus community of the success of our shared efforts in minimizing the spread of COVID-19. This system will continue through the spring.
Key Decisions
- Undergraduate Academic Calendar
- Move in Dates: January 29-31, 2021
- First Day of Spring Classes: February 1, 2021
- Last Day of Spring Classes: May 7, 2021
- Semester Ends: May 14, 2021
The full undergraduate academic calendar is available here.
- Undergraduate Semester Model
The spring semester will return to our standard 15-week term with 4 courses taken at once for the duration of the semester.
- Undergraduate Modes of Instruction
McDaniel will offer three types of classes for the spring semester:
- Traditional in-person classes
- Hybrid classes
- Online classes
-
Graduate & Professional Studies
Graduate and Professional Studies course instruction will continue to be offered online for the spring semester, with the exception of M.S. in Teaching which will have some courses delivered in a hybrid format that will require some on-campus class time.
Academics
- Mask Usage
- All members of the McDaniel College community will be required to wear facial coverings when inside buildings and residential common areas.
- Employees should refer to the RTTH Workplace Guidebook for specific mask requirements.
- Students should refer to the COVID-19 Student Protocols for specific mask requirements.
- Cleaning Protocols
In order to facilitate the increased frequency of cleaning and sanitization our our campus facilities, the college has committed to nearly doubling the size of our current housekeeping staff and adding a second shift for additional coverage. Learn more about our updated COVID-19 Cleaning Protocols.
- Testing Protocols
Student Protocols for COVID-19 will be applicable to all students spending time on campus, both residential and commuter. These policies and guidelines pertain to the prevention of COVID-19, procedures for potential exposure or if a student receives a positive test result, student isolation and quarantine, and voluntary surveillance testing. More information can be found in the Isolation and Quarantine Planning Guide.
- Wellness Center
- Our Wellness Center will be focused primarily on providing COVID-19 related medical care, including surveillance testing, and will not be open for walk-in appointments.
- McDaniel College is partnering with LifeBridge Health to expand the college’s student health service offerings provided by McDaniel’s Wellness Center. Through this partnership, McDaniel students can receive routine medical care and telehealth appointments directly from LifeBridge Health. Visit the Wellness Center webpage for details.
Health and Safety
- Surveillance Testing
- For the spring semester, surveillance testing will commence the week of February 15, 2021.
- The College will continue to use a surveillance testing to periodically test individuals who are not displaying or experiencing any symptoms. This strategy proved to be an effective tool in the fall to mitigate the spread of the virus. The test group will be a representative sample of the campus population using a modified random selection process.
- While participation in the process remains voluntary, individuals selected are strongly encouraged to participate.
- View Student Prevention, Testing and Treatment Protocols here.
- Updated Housing Policies
- Updated housing policies and guidelines related to COVID-19 will be in place in addition to the housing and dining agreement and are applicable to all residential students.
- Compliance with all the College's safety guidelines and restrictions is non-negotiable. It is important to note that the College’s Code of Student Conduct applies to behavior that occurs on and off campus. View the COVID-19 Sanctions Chart.
- Campus Dining
- During the required Limited Community Contact Period, students will pick-up food and return to their residence hall or an outdoor area.
- Due to health and safety guidance, the occupancy of Englar Dining Hall (GLAR) will be reduced to adhere to social distancing and indoor dining guidelines.
- Residents will be expected to sign up for the time and location of each meal. We will also have additional options available to enjoy meals in outdoor settings.
- Visit the McDaniel Culinary Services website for complete hours of operation.
Residential Life and Food Service
- Student Supports
All student supports, including the Bursar’s Office, CEO, Financial Aid, Hoover Library, ODI, Registrar, SASS, Student Engagement, Wellness Center, and others, will still be available, either through in-person meetings or through Zoom conference calls.
- Student Clubs and Organizations
The new academic schedule still includes a daily Activity Hour for students to stay involved on campus through participation in clubs, organizations, and athletics. Physical distancing and other health and safety guidelines will still need to be abided by.
- Athletics
In alignment with the statement released March 5 by the Centennial Conference Presidents Council, chaired by McDaniel College President Roger Casey, McDaniel has announced its plans to move forward with spring intercollegiate competition for its 10 spring sports: baseball, softball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, and men’s and women’s tennis. Read the full release and view the FAQs that have been established.
Athletics & Student Life
-
Tuition
McDaniel College's tuition rates for the 2020-2021 academic year can be found here. Tuition charges have been set and will not change for the 2020–2021 academic year regardless of instructional modality (online, hybrid or face-to-face instruction). Courses will continue to be taught by McDaniel faculty and we remain committed to keeping the low faculty-student ratio that is a hallmark of a McDaniel education.
-
Room and Board
Room and board charges for the 2020-2021 academic year have been set and will not be changed or reduced due to changes in the academic calendar. Because room prices are highly variable based on building and single/double occupancy, students may contact the Bursar's Office for exact room costs. To provide increased flexibility, all students on a McDaniel College meal plan will receive double the amount of McDaniel Bucks for the fall semester.
-
Billing Policies
To accommodate the needs of our students and families who may require additional payment flexibility for the 2020–2021 academic year, McDaniel has made changes to our billing policies, including waiving the $75 enrollment fee for McDaniel’s 5-month payment plan for all families effective July 1, 2020.
-
Financial Difficulties
Students with financial challenges should contact the Financial Aid Office