Frequently Asked Questions
Updated: 8/8/23
Students
What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
Students should exercise responsibility and consideration just like with any communicable illness or sickness. If enrolled in a course with a clinical internship or fieldwork affiliation, you are responsible for following the site's guidelines before reporting for duty. To verify your site's protocol, contact your fieldwork supervisor. Notifying your academic program (chair, clinical educator, etc.) is encouraged.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
Students should exercise responsibility and consideration just like with any communicable illness or sickness. CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines encourage remaining home in isolation for five days and wearing a mask upon return. If enrolled in a course with a clinical internship or fieldwork affiliation, you are responsible for following the site's guidelines before reporting for duty. If unsure of the site's protocol, contact your fieldwork supervisor. Notifying your academic program (chair, clinical educator, etc.) is encouraged.
What should I do if I was in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19?
You do not need to quarantine as long as you remain asymptomatic. It is recommended that you continue surveillance (monitor symptoms and test) and wear a mask for 10 days following exposure. Those enrolled in a program with a clinical internship or fieldwork affiliation must follow the guidelines of the fieldwork site.
I previously applied for and received a COVID-19 accommodation, which required that I remain masked and/or observe other safety measures when I was on campus. Do I still have to follow the conditions of the accommodation?
Absent any site-specific/clinical requirements that may be applicable to you, accommodations granted based on the College’s vaccine requirement are no longer in place.
The COVID-19 vaccine is required by my academic program. How do I apply for an accommodation?
Certain groups of students may be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of their clinical or external fieldwork placements. Students in these programs who decline immunization may submit a Request for Reasonable Accommodations.
STCC will put forth its best effort to accommodate fieldwork placement of an unvaccinated student but this is without guarantee. A student who is unable to be placed will not be able to matriculate in their program of study. A bivalent dose (according to CDC recommendations) may be required.
What are my fieldwork site's COVID-19 guidelines?
Students who are unsure of their fieldwork site's protocol may contact their fieldwork supervisor and/or the academic program clinical educator or placement coordinator. Here is a link to Baystate Health's COVID-19 Guidelines (subject to change).
Where are COVID-19 antigen test kits available on campus?
Test kits are available in the Health & Wellness Center lobby as well as through SHPS Department/Programs. Students are encouraged to have test kits on hand for surveillance testing.
Employees
What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
Employees should exercise responsibility and consideration just like with any communicable illness or sickness. Notify your supervisor if you will be out sick in the same medium you usually communicate if you miss work due to illness, such as call, text, and/or email.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
Employees should exercise responsibility and consideration just like with any communicable illness or sickness. CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines encourage remaining home in isolation for five days, and the wearing of a mask upon return is strongly recommended. While not advisable, asymptomatic employees are able to work on campus. Depending on job duties and your symptoms, the possibility of telework could be arranged in lieu of coming to campus, preauthorization is required from both the supervisor and Human Resources. Notify your supervisor if you will be out sick in the same medium you usually communicate if you miss work due to illness such as call, text, and/or email.
What should I do if I was a close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19?
You do not need to quarantine as long as you remain asymptomatic. It is recommended that you wear a mask for 10 days following your exposure. If you are affiliated with a clinical site or external placement, you must follow the guidelines of the clinical site or external placement.
I previously applied for and received a COVID-19 accommodation, which required that I remain masked and/or observe other safety measures when I was on campus. Do still have to follow the conditions of the accommodation?
Absent any site-specific/clinical requirements that may be applicable to you, accommodations granted based on the College’s vaccine requirement are no longer in place.