General Health & Safety

The following provides an overview of the policies and practices NDMU is implementing campus wide in order to keep our community healthy and safe. All plans have been developed in consultation with our Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy, as well as national, state, and local public health guidance.

Policies

• Influenza Vaccine
• Masks
• Testing, Positive Tests & Contact Tracing
• Meeting & Gathering Policy

Influenza Vaccine (Updated: May 25, 2023)

UPDATE (May 25, 2023) – Notre Dame of Maryland University strongly recommends all NDMU community members receive their annual influenza vaccination. However, effective the Summer 2023 semester, except as noted below, individuals are no longer required to upload documentation of their annual influenza vaccination to the University. 

Students enrolled in professional health programs (i.e. BSN, MSN, OTD, PA, and Pharm.D.) will continue to be required to be up-to-date on their annual influenza vaccination. Additional information/instructions will be forthcoming from your applicable School Dean/Program Director and the University Nurse.

Influenza, or the flu, is a serious respiratory illness that can affect children and adults, regardless of pre-existing health concerns. The overlap in symptoms of both influenza and COVID-19 may make it difficult to distinguish between these two diseases. As a result, and for the safety of our University community, a mandatory flu vaccination policy is in effect for all Notre Dame of Maryland University (“NDMU” or “the University”) students, faculty, staff, and contractors. Vaccination for the 2022-23 academic year will be required by November 1, 2022.

NDMU is committed to providing students and employees a workplace free of recognized hazards. This policy is intended to maximize vaccination rates against influenza amongst the NDMU community. The goal is to protect employees, employees’ family members, students, others affiliated with NDMU, and the broader community, from influenza infection and to help the University manage COVID-19.

All faculty and staff who will be performing in-person duties on NDMU property (including main campus, Elkridge, etc), and all enrolled students who are living on campus or participating in in-person activities (classes, research, work, etc.) are required to obtain the seasonal influenza vaccination or receive an exception to the requirement. This policy also applies to contractors who provide services to the university community and whose primary work location is on university property, regardless of employer (e.g. ABM, SAGE, Centric, Barnes & Noble, etc.). 

Exceptions to this policy may be granted for valid medical reasons (e.g. severe allergy to the vaccine or its components as defined by the CDC) with accompanying documentation or sincerely held religious beliefs.

Students, faculty, and staff may upload their vaccination documentation (or in the absence of documentation – a signed statement attesting to receiving the influenza vaccine – Download self-certification form (DOC)) or request for exemption (Download exception form (DOC)) via NDMU’s Self Service portal. View instructions (PDF) for uploading your influenza vaccination documentation. Vaccination documentation or request for exemption must be submitted by November 1st.

Contractors (or their employer) should submit their vaccine documentation to the NDMU official responsible for overseeing their work on campus.

Mask Policy (Updated: August 17, 2022)

Face coverings/masks are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Effective Monday, August 29, 2022, the University will align its mask policy with CDC recommendations based on COVID-19 Community Levels.

Notwithstanding the CDC Community Level, anyone who is positive or has symptoms of COVID-19 or has been exposed to someone with the virus is required to wear a mask and follow all other campus quarantine and isolation procedures. Many individuals in our community may need or choose to continue to wear a mask in areas where they are no longer required. NDMU will continue to adjust its mask policy as necessary in response to changes in local/campus conditions.

Eating or drinking is not permitted during in-person academic classes or labs. Those needing to eat, drink or take medication during in-person courses should excuse themselves outside the classroom.

Approved Face Coverings:

In alignment with recent CDC guidance, in situations where masking is required, NDMU requires individuals wear a N95, KN95, or KF94 equivalent mask or a combination of a surgical mask (underneath) AND a cloth mask (on top). A surgical or cloth mask alone does not provide sufficient protection against the COVID-19 omicron variant.