The health and well-being of our campus community is our highest priority. The University's Task Force is working diligently to stay informed of changing dynamics in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. We will keep the campus informed of any and all updates on this page.

For updates on UMES's return to campus plans and weekly COVID updates please visit our Return to Campus web page.

Symptom Checker Survey
COVID-19 Training Module
Frequently Asked Questions

May 7, 2021
If you believe you require an exemption from the COVID vaccine mandate, please complete one of the following forms:

Medical Exemption

Religious Exemption

Vaccine Incentive Day Off Form

If you have a question and don't see an answer, email icare@umes.edu.

April 16, 2021

Testing numbers as of April 16, 2021

January 29, 2021

Monday, Feb. 1 starting at 10 a.m. will be our first round of ANTIGEN testing. This necessitates a NEW PROCESS, so please pay attention to the following steps and be patient as we all work to adapt. PLEASE BRING YOUR HAWK ID or KNOW YOUR NUMBER. You will need this each testing cycle.

STEP 1 – Complete your consent form in the lobby of Hytche Arena

STEP 2 – CARRY YOUR FORM INSIDE THE ARENA to ANY table (No ABC names)

STEP 3 – Step up to a table, PRINT your name and phone number LEGIBLY on a label

STEP 4 – TAKE BOTH THE FORM AND THE LABEL and proceed to the testing area where the healthcare
                providers are stationed

STEP 5 – Hand the form to the healthcare provider and place the label on your test kit

STEP 6 – Complete nasal swab in both nostrils for 8 – 10 seconds on EACH SIDE

STEP 7 – Leave swab with the tester and proceed on with your day

PLEASE NOTE – You will ONLY BE CONTACTED IF YOUR TEST READS POSITIVE and you will be contacted ON THE SAME DAY AS TESTING.

If you test positive, PLEASE WORK WITH OUR STAFF AND SOMERSET COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT to keep our community safe by answering questions honestly and politely, isolating for the recommended time frame, and following all instructions.

Only by working together can we keep our community safe.

Testing will take place EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY and ALL CAMPUS COMMUNITY members are expected to be tested each time. We know this is an inconvenience, and we are so close to vaccinations being widely available, but PLEASE do your part until such time that we can safely celebrate the end of the pandemic together.

Here are your test times, grouped by birth month:

Birth Month
10:00 AM-11:00 AM January 
11:00 AM-12:00 PM February & March
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM April & May
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM June & July 
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM August & September
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM October
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM November & December  

December 17, 2020

President Message - Return to campus for 2021

November 10, 2020

Maryland Department of Health Notice - COVID-19 Advisory - Large Gatherings, Essential Travel, Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Programs

August 5, 2020

President Message - the start of COVID testing for all residential students, faculty and staff

July 29, 2020

Maryland Department of Health Notice - Out of state travel and public travel advisory (July 29, 2020)

June 4, 2020

President Message - Return to campus planning and procedures

May 11, 2020

CARES Act Update

April 8, 2020

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued new guidance on the use of face coverings.  

If you do not have a face mask, here is a CDC video to assist you in making one:  

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

March 26, 2020

Move-out of residence halls is taking place and classes will resume via distance-learning on Monday, March 30, 2020.

All new information for individual audiences (Students, Faculty, Staff) is being added in the tabbed areas. Click on the topic in the left navigation bar. 

March 13, 2020

NO in-person classes/exams today, however campus is open.

March 10, 2020 5:30 pm

As of today, no positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are currently known at UMES or in any county on the Eastern Shore, however the University continues to make preparations to help prevent the spread of the virus to our area.

COVID-19 new guidelines - March 10, 2020

March 10, 2020 9:00 am

As of today, March 10, there are no reported cases of COVID-19 in any county on Maryland's Eastern Shore. UMES will continue to operate normally, but limit large events and encourage social distancing (leaving three to six feet between people) as well as implement additional cleaning procedures. Flu is prevalent in our area so please continue to be diligent in appropriate hand hygiene (washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or alcohol-based hand sanitizer) and covering coughs and sneezes. For more specific questions, please reach out to Ms. Grant at the campus health center at (410) 651- 6597.  

Resources from CDC: 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/COVID19-symptoms.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/stop-the-spread-of-germs.pdf

Resources for information:

https://www.usmd.edu/coronavirus

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/index.html  

UMB Clinical Guidance - UMES is following the same guidelines as UMB

Guidance to UMB Students Regarding International Travel - UMES is following the same guidelines as UMB

Guidance to UMB Faculty and Staff Regarding International Travel - UMES is following the same guidelines as UMB

March 6, 2020

Dear Students

As I hope you are aware, our institution is working in conjunction with the University System of Maryland to appropriately and proactively prepare our response to any possible COVID-19 infections in our area. 

Message from Hans Cooper, VP for Enrollment and Student Experience  - March 6, 2020

Message from Nancy Niemi, Provost & VP for Academic Affairs - March 6, 2020

Dear Campus Community,

As you are aware, our institution is working in conjunction with the University System of Maryland (USM) to appropriately and proactively prepare our response to any possible COVID-19 infections in our area. 

Campus Community Message - March 6, 2020