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
March 26, 2021
Testing numbers as of March 26, 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