Spring 2022: Information for All Students

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released revised mask protocols on Friday, February 25, making masks optional in areas with low or medium levels of COVID-19. This indicator, combined with the consistently low case count on the BW campus, allows us to be among many institutions and government entities that implemented the following change to COVID-19 protocols:

Effective Saturday, March 5, BW moved to mask optional. Masks are no longer required in public or indoor spaces like classrooms, common areas or at BW events. While masks are no longer required indoors, all community members are welcome to continue wearing a mask.

The CDC does recommend that individuals with an increased risk of severe COVID-19, such as immunocompromised people, should talk to their healthcare provider about not wearing masks in public places. Vaccinations and boosters are recommended for everyone. Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, a positive test or who have been exposed to COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Since the start of last semester, BW adjusted COVID-19 protocols to respond to the omicron variant. After an anticipated spike in cases early in this semester, student and employee cases have dropped significantly and have remained at a low level.

Please be aware that mask requirements and other COVID-19 protocols may continue for certain activities as mandated by partner or external governing bodies (i.e., service, alternative break trips, study abroad travel, athletics, etc.). Members of the BW community are required to follow and respect the guidelines of our partners and host locations.

Conservatory students in specific programs may be required to wear masks during instruction and performance environments. BW athletes continue to follow NCAA protocols as outlined by their coaches and teams. Masks are required when entering the BW Health Center, the BW Speech Clinic and medical athletic training facilities.

Thank you to all members of the BW community for your efforts this semester and the BW Health Advisory Committee, which continues to work tirelessly to safeguard our campus. We will continue to emphasize numerous campus health measures and community protocols that, taken together, create a safer environment for our community.

• COVID-19 vaccination rate on campus is high. More than 75% of BW students and employees are vaccinated.
• COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots are available for free at BW Health Services. Contact the BW Health Center at (440) 826-2178 to make an appointment.
• COVID-19 home self-tests are available at the BW Health Center, Strosacker Welcome Desk and the Rec Center Welcome Desk.
• KN95 masks are available at the BW Health Center, Strosacker Welcome Desk and the Rec Center Welcome Desk.
• COVID-19 Support Services, including quarantine and isolation protocols, remain in place to mitigate community spread and support student needs.

The COVID-19 Health Advisory Committee continues to monitor CDC health guidelines and the prevalence of COVID-19 cases on our campus.

Protecting Your Health

GET VACCINATED and GET BOOSTED! The best protection against all variants of the coronavirus is vaccination. BW strongly recommends that all eligible members of our community get vaccinated and receive their booster shots. The State of Ohio has authorized BW to administer vaccines to any member of the BW community wishing to receive a vaccine. All current BW students, including out-of-state students and graduate students, faculty and staff are eligible to schedule a vaccination appointment by calling the BW Health Center at (440) 826-2178. Learn more. 

Maintaining a Healthy Campus

• In the event a member of the BW community becomes ill, testing, screening and contact tracing are available to students, faculty and staff.
  • COVID-19 testing of symptomatic students is available at the BW Health Center. The Health Center can administer either a rapid antigen test or PCR COVID-19 test. Please note that, depending on demand, COVID-19 testing may not be available in the Health Center for BW employees. Call the BW Health Center at (440) 826-2178 for availability and assistance.
  • In the event an individual has tested positive for COVID-19, a team of BW employees has completed contact tracing certification to help identify and notify individuals that have had close contact during the time frame that the positive individual may have been infectious. This team will work closely with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and the Ohio Department of Health.
• Students are able to access health and wellness services and support provided on campus through the BW Health Center and the Recreation Center. Access to COVID-19 testing is available at the Health Center, Recreation Center, Student Union, Conservatory, residence halls, or off campus at nearby retailers or ​local hospitals.
• Enhanced cleaning protocols across campus are based on the CDC's "Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces" and require the use of U.S. EPA-approved disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2. The overall disinfection and cleaning of surfaces is completed by BW custodial teams on a scheduled basis, with frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains, grab bars, hand railings, bathroom stalls) cleaned at least daily or between use as much as possible.
• Classrooms and some common areas have been provided EPA-approved disinfecting wipes to facilitate the increased frequency of wiping high touch points during the day. In addition, the custodial staff has increased the frequency of restroom cleaning to twice daily in academic buildings and three times daily in the student union and recreation center.
• The virus that causes COVID-19 can land on surfaces. It's possible for people to become infected if they touch those surfaces and then touch their nose, mouth or eyes. In most situations, the risk of infection from touching a surface is low. The most reliable way to prevent infection from surfaces is to regularly wash hands or use hand sanitizer.
• TimelyCare, a free 24/7 Telemedicine Medical and Mental Healthcare service available to all BW students and staff. TimelyCare mental health providers can discuss: stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationships, and other issues. TimelyCare medical providers can help treat: cold, flu, sinus infections, allergies, and other basic medical needs. BW students and staff can create a new free account at TimelyCare. Get started at timely.md

BW is prepared to implement additional COVID-19 protocols in order to reduce or respond to the spread of COVID-19 on campus. To achieve that goal, everyone in the BW community must do their part when asked, which means complying with all health safety protocols. Any student, faculty or staff member who undermines the well-being of our community will be subject to a non-compliance resolution process appropriate to their role. In the event BW may need to implement campus wide protocols to remediate outbreaks of COVID-19, the follow guidelines for enforcement of those temporary protocols will be followed.

Enforcement

All students, faculty and staff are expected to demonstrate behaviors consistent with the health safety protocols established by the University. Occasional, unintentional instances of non-compliance can be resolved with immediate compliance with the safety strategies when reminded. However, repeated or willful failure to comply or belligerence when asked to comply will result in a report to Student Conduct.

Any member of the BW community can submit a report online at bw.edu/report-violation.

• In more formal settings (e.g., classrooms, recreation center, residence halls, library, etc.), faculty and staff members should submit reports of non-compliance of students. Faculty and staff should submit reports of non-compliance of other BW employees. Reports can be submitted online at bw.edu/report-violation.
• Students can share concerns/submit reports about non-compliance of faculty or staff with any faculty or staff member with whom they feel comfortable. Faculty or staff members receiving such reports should then forward the report to BW's Office of Human Resources at hr@bw.edu. Students may also submit the report online at bw.edu/report-violation.
• Students should file reports of non-compliance of other students with anyone in authority on campus, including RAs, Residence Hall Directors, faculty, staff, Campus Security, etc. Anyone receiving these reports must submit them to Student Conduct at bbeyer@bw.edu. Students may also submit the report online at bw.edu/report-violation.

Student Non-Compliance Resolution Process

Students making their first appearance with Student Conduct for non-compliance with health safety protocols will be placed on probation and issued a sanction commensurate with the magnitude of their infraction and degree of acceptance of responsibility for their non-compliance. Sanctions are outlined in the chart below. Given the risks to the health and well-being of the student and the BW community, parents/guardians and coaches (if applicable) will be informed of the student’s probation (including warning of suspension).

Students should be aware that they are obligated to follow the University’s health safety protocols while they are both on and off campus.

Quarantine and Isolation requirement non-compliance:

Employee Non-Compliance Resolution Process

Upon receipt of a complaint regarding employee non-compliance with BW’s health safety protocols, BW's Director of Human Resources will forward the complaint to the appropriate supervisor of the employee. A written warning and possible additional sanctions will be issued commensurate with the magnitude of the infraction and degree of acceptance of responsibility for the non-compliance. If the employee continues to exhibit non-compliance with the health safety protocols, more severe sanctions will be imposed, up to and including termination.

BW is committed to a high-quality, personalized education that challenges and supports our students on their path toward graduation. We plan for the majority of undergraduate classes to be held in-person, taught by BW's dedicated and expert faculty, in the same small class sizes that define a BW education. 

Academic Calendar

• View the spring 2022 academic calendar and final exam schedule. 

Variety of course design

• Most classes will be taught in-person, while some courses are offered fully online. All classes previously specified as partially remote will now be fully in-person. All fully remote classes will remain fully remote. (Students who have already scheduled a class with a specific format and wish to change their selection should complete this form.)

Classroom health and safety

• Students have access to academic technology to participate remotely as needed to ensure campus safety or as required by individual circumstances.
• Students can take advantage of flexible advising opportunities with a mix of in-person and virtual office hours. 
• Some specialized areas, like performance and practice spaces, include passive PPE barriers (plexiglass, etc.) to maintain 6-foot physical distancing and help block the spread of heavy airborne contaminants.

Classroom technology

• BW invested in classroom technology to connect remote students and in-class students.
• Microphones and cameras have been installed. 
• Several classrooms across campus have been upgraded as interactive remote instruction hubs for professors and students.
• Across campus, Wi-Fi signal strength is being in the event students are participating in remote instruction, they will have the bandwidth and Wi-Fi connectivity needed to attend class.

• International students visiting BW will be tested prior to travel to the U.S. and then again upon arrival. Upon arrival, international students will be required to quarantine for a period of 10 days before participating in campus activities.
• BW students in Study Abroad programs will be required to sign a waiver based on country of travel requirements and accept the risks of travel abroad and expected to follow protocols set forth by the host destination and following foreign country requirements, including vaccination.

• BW van day trips: Face masks are not required. There is no distancing requirement.
• BW van overnight trips: Face masks are not required. There is not distancing requirement. Non-vaccinated individuals are required to complete a COVID-19 test 1-3 days prior to the trip, and 3-5 days after the trip. Persons with positive test results are required to report those results to the BW Health Center or to the BW COVID Response Team Helpline (440-826-7787) and isolate for 10 days. Isolation orders will be issued by the Health Center or one of BW's certified contact tracers.
• Do NOT travel if you were exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, you tested positive for COVID-19, or you are waiting for results of a COVID-19 test. Don't travel with someone who is sick.

Currently, all BW student-athletes are subject to NCAA and OAC rules for safe travel to competition. COVID-19 testing, rules and guidelines will be provided through team leaders.

Students can schedule in-person appointments following campus health safety guidelines. Virtual appointments will remain available as well.

• Phone: (440) 826-2231
• Email: explore@bw.edu
• Web: bw.edu/explorations
• Book an appointment: https://tinyurl.com/explorationsadvising

If you are interested in applying to study abroad, the list of programs and links to the online application can be found on the study abroad website.