Dickinson continues to monitor the health and safety of our community. We have a series of thresholds in place with associated actions so that if conditions worsen significantly, plans can shift as needed. This process is managed within the college’s emergency management team.
Employees: What do I do if I've been exposed or don't feel well?
Employees who have been exposed and/or have symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider, monitor for symptoms, and refer to the following chart for additional instruction to determine next steps based on individual vaccination status. Contact Human Resource Services with any questions.
Faculty: What should I do if a student reports they are not feeling well?
If a student reports to faculty that they are ill or appear ill, they can encourage the student to reach out to the Wellness Center at 717-245-1663. Students can also call the Nurseline to receive medical advice and support 24/7, especially when the Wellness Center is closed, at 866-491-4462. If faculty have concerns about a student’s health or well-being, they may submit a Care Team report.
Exposure, Quarantine & Isolation
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following quarantine and isolation periods:
- Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days unless symptoms worsen or persist, followed by 5 days of wearing a well-fitting mask when around others.
- Individuals who have been exposed, regardless of vaccination status, are not required to quarantine. Testing 5 days after exposure is required, as well as isolation, if the test result is positive. Individuals should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days when around others.
Campus Facilities
- It is possible to open windows in most campus classrooms. For those buildings where windows may be stuck or difficult to open, we ask that members of the community please contact Facilities Management by submitting a work order or calling 245-1212 and our staff will work to get that rectified. If you open windows, please pay attention to the outside air temperature and humidity conditions. On very hot and humid days, introducing too much warm air will make it difficult for the mechanical systems to maintain building set-points. This could result in environmental hazards such as mold and mildew. Ideally, acceptable outdoor air temperatures should be between 50 and 60 degrees to open windows. Humidity levels should be less than 6%. Windows should be closed when leaving spaces.
- A number of classroom buildings have CO2 sensors as part of the HVAC controls systems. Portable HEPA filters/air purifiers are being provided in some classrooms as they were last year. Appropriate locations are determined based upon occupancy levels and type of building HVAC system.
- To qualify for a HEPA unit, spaces needed to meet the following criteria:
- Windows are inoperable, AND
- The space is served by an HVAC system where it is challenging to increase the amount of fresh air. In this instance, the system is either of a residential type nature or the current setting cannot be manipulated to easily increase the designed amount of outdoor air.
- Please note that buildings such as Tome, Kaufman, the Library, Weiss and the HUB may have inoperable windows, however we do have the capacity to increase their outside air volume through the HVAC system.
Masking
Masks are not required on campus except in health care facilities such as the Wellness Center, in classes or labs when required by faculty, or in individual offices when requested.We recognize that some people may choose to continue to mask and it is important that students, faculty, and staff respect and support these personal health decisions.
Testing for Employees
COVID-19 testing is no longer available on campus for employees. Employees who have been exposed to COVID-19, or who feel symptomatic may obtain testing at local pharmacies, Sadler Health Center, UPMC locations, or through at-home test kits available at retail locations.
- At-Home tests from the USPS are not available at this time. The program has been temporarily suspended. For more information on testing options, please visit covid.gov/tests.
- There are over 15,000 free COVID-19 testing sites in the U.S. Visit HHS.gov/coronavirus to locate a free COVID-19 testing site near you.
- Most insurance plans cover the cost of at-home test kits. If you have insurance through the college, tests kits are available at no cost using your Meritain Health member card containing your CVS Caremark prescription benefit information. Test kits may be ordered online for pick-up or delivery. You can also pick up a test kit at your pharmacy. For more information, please visit CVS Caremark. Please be aware that if you order test kits through an online pharmacy, you may have up-front charges, and can submit a claim to CVS Caremark for reimbursement.
Vaccinations
The CDC notes vaccines and booster shots as key factors in health and safety for the public.
- Vaccinations and boosters are a critical component of the health and safety of our campus community. They have been shown to both reduce the severity of the illness and protect high-risk members of the community.
- Employees are required to be vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination can be submitted electronically. Exemptions can be requested here.
- Booster shots are strongly recommended as soon as the employee becomes eligible. According to the CDC, recent studies have shown that the vaccination effectiveness decreases over time. Proof of booster shots can be submitted electronically.
- Vaccinations and booster shots may be obtained locally at Sadler Health Center, UPMC Carlisle or a local pharmacy.
Visitors and Events
- Speakers, guest lecturers and others invited to campus do not have to provide vaccination information or proof of a negative test.
- There are no capacity limits for events on campus.
- Masks remain welcome but are not required.
What are the factors the college considers when making decisions around COVID?
The college uses a set of observable conditions to guide decision making around health and safety measures for the campus and community. Factors considered include but are not limited to:
- Student vaccination level
- Employee vaccination level
- Number of students in isolation & quarantine
- Staffing levels
- Availability to deliver the academic program
- Availability to provide essential services
- Resource availability/shortages (food, cleaning supplies, PPE)
- Local hospital capacity
- County positivity rate
- County CDC transmission levels
- Federal and state regulatory guidance
- Unforeseen financial impacts
These factors are reviewed regularly by members of the college’s Emergency Management Team, which is comprised of faculty and staff.