Return to the Hill Update: August 11, 2021

As we approach the start of the fall semester, we have been closely monitoring the recent increases in COVID-19 cases throughout Maryland due, in large part, to the rapid spread of the Delta variant. As much as we are eager to return to normal operations, we must continue to exercise caution and follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Carroll County Health Department (CCHD). To help provide guidance to our community members, we have outlined the following community expectations and health protocols.

As we approach the start of the fall semester, we have been closely monitoring the recent increases in COVID-19 cases throughout Maryland due, in large part, to the rapid spread of the Delta variant. We want to start by acknowledging that over a year into this global pandemic, we may be feeling tired, but this need to plan for the Delta variant once again requires us to dig deeply into our wells of strength and resilience. We are both humbled and inspired by the fact that there is no community more willing to do the hard and important work of caring for one another than the one here at McDaniel.

As much as we are eager to return to normal operations, we must continue to exercise caution and follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Carroll County Health Department (CCHD). It is by following these recommendations that we reflect the values in our First Principles: values that call upon each of us to respect others and share responsibility for the common good.

The CDC has developed four categories to better track the extent of the virus within counties:

Low transmission
Moderate transmission
Substantial transmission
High transmission

To help provide guidance to our community members, we have outlined clear guidelines about college and campus life at each level of these transmission phases. Although these guidelines are subject to change, we’re hopeful that they provide an outline on community expectations and health protocols:

	Indoor facilities, excluding residence halls	Outdoor events and gatherings	Student Housing	Testing	Indoor Events
Moderate Transmission	Masks encouraged for vaccinated and strongly encouraged for unvaccinated.	Masks optional for all community members.	Masks encouraged for vaccinated residents and strongly encouraged for those unvaccinated.	Unvaccinated students and athletes will be tested weekly. Unvaccinated athletes will also be tested prior to competition.	All events may run as planned with masks encouraged for vaccinated and strongly encouraged for unvaccinated. When possible, events over 50 will offer a virtual option.
Substantial Transmission	Masks required for all community members.	Masks optional for all community members.	Masks encouraged for vaccinated residents and strongly encouraged for those unvaccinated.	In addition to moderate transmission testing, surveillance testing protocol will begin.	All events may run as planned with masks required for all individuals. Mask removal is permitted during food/beverages consumption only. When possible, events over 50 will offer a virtual option.
High Transmission	Masks required for all community members.	Masks optional for all community members.	Masks encouraged for vaccinated residents and strongly encouraged for those unvaccinated.	Surveillance testing will increase.	All events may run as planned with masks required for all individuals, but masks must stay on throughout the event. Food/beverage consumption may not be permitted in group settings of more than 50. When possible, events over 50 will offer a virtual option.

Indoor facilities, excluding residence halls

Outdoor events and gatherings

Student Housing

Testing

Indoor Events

Moderate

Transmission

Masks encouraged for vaccinated and strongly encouraged for unvaccinated.

Masks optional for all community members.

Masks encouraged for vaccinated residents and strongly encouraged for those unvaccinated.

Unvaccinated students and athletes will be tested weekly.

Unvaccinated athletes will also be tested prior to competition.

All events may run as planned with masks encouraged for vaccinated and strongly encouraged for unvaccinated. When possible, events over 50 will offer a virtual option.

Substantial

Transmission

Masks required for all community members.

Masks optional for all community members.

Masks encouraged for vaccinated residents and strongly encouraged for those unvaccinated.

In addition to moderate transmission testing, surveillance testing protocol will begin.

All events may run as planned with masks required for all individuals. Mask removal is permitted during food/beverages consumption only. When possible, events over 50 will offer a virtual option.

High

Transmission

Masks required for all community members.

Masks optional for all community members.

Masks encouraged for vaccinated residents and strongly encouraged for those unvaccinated.

Surveillance testing will increase.

All events may run as planned with masks required for all individuals, but masks must stay on throughout the event. Food/beverage consumption may not be permitted in group settings of more than 50. When possible, events over 50 will offer a virtual option.

The guidelines above will help our community plan, but there is some important nuance we’d like to share:

If the Carroll County Health department notifies McDaniel that the county has moved to a higher-transmission category, the campus community will be notified within 24 hours, and will begin to follow the restrictions/testing outlined for that category.
If the Carroll County Health department notifies us that the county has moved to a lower-transmission category, the campus community will be notified after the county has been at that level for a period of five days, and the campus community will return to the restrictions/testing outlined for that category.
Event planning requires us to make decisions without knowing the exact transmission category at the date/time of the event. Events should be planned according to the transmission category or trajectory 4-6 weeks out from the event. Should transmission categories escalate less than 4 weeks prior to the event, events may become more restrictive. Should transmission categories de-escalate less than 4 weeks prior to the event, event plans may be more restrictive than outlined above due to the lead time required for quality event planning.

At all times, and in all categories, masks are strongly encouraged for all unvaccinated individuals and all members of our community are encouraged to wear masks indoors regardless of transmission category.

The Return to the Hill Committee would like to take a moment to thank our staff, faculty, and students for your commitment to the health and safety of each other. Your care for one another is an inspiration and a living example of community.

For the most up-to-date information, view the current community expectations and health protocols chart.