Dear Montserrat Community,
Last year, Montserrat declared Juneteenth a permanent holiday as did the federal government. Juneteenth is a day of celebrating Independence for the African American community. I think it is important to remind our community that this is not a new holiday. African American communities have been observing this day for more than 150 years. So, you may ask, why now? Why are we now celebrating and declaring this day as a federal holiday? There is no good explanation. It should have happened a long time ago.
The destruction and violence we have seen over the years and now in recent years over racial equality continues to rise. This moment in time is pivotal to the future of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB). We are learning, educating, and re-dedicating ourselves to create change. This change does not happen overnight, but in our community and communities far and wide we are seeing small improvements, but I recognize that we need to pick up the pace.
Our plans to continue our campus discussions in all its forms and venues for next year are an exciting set of opportunities for engagement and to allow ourselves the ability to educate and to be educated. I hope everyone takes advantage of these opportunities and also help our community identify further areas of exploration or ways to engage.
Last week, the Boston City Council issued a formal apology for the city’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. The council approved a resolution which will dedicate policies and efforts to repair the past and prevent harm. More locally, Gloucester will celebrate Juneteenth with a Festival at the Cape Ann Museum.
In New York City, the Met is exploring the anti-slavery art of sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux that was originally a reaction to the emancipation of 1846 in France. The exhibition is called Fictions of Emancipation: Carpeaux Recast. The exhibition, as the publication the Guardian describes it, is revisiting the popularity of anti-slavery art with a critical eye on what is being shown and why. Many have viewed it and come away with more questions which is a start of another series of important conversations. A further description and details can be found here: https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2022/carpeaux-recast
Please find some resources below and use this day of remembrance as an opportunity to learn, grow and create change.
Be well,
President Kurt
Celebrations happening around New England:
https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/news/2022/06/16/new-england-juneteenth-2022-celebrations/7556287001/
https://www.salemnews.com/news/juneteenth-events-to-be-held-around-the-north-shore/article_1c3194a8-e6a5-11ec-8383-070b584f515e.html
Resources:
https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth
https://www.teachforamerica.org/celebrate-juneteenth
https://thejuneteenthfoundation.com/resources/
We are excited to welcome you back to campus in just a short time from now.
While the number of COVID cases are currently high, we hope to see this surge end soon and see those numbers decline. The Association of Independent Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts held a meeting on Friday with leaders from private colleges across the state, and this meeting provided us with helpful information. We will continue to follow their guidance as well as state and local officials as we welcome faculty and students back to campus and move through the spring semester. From the beginning of the pandemic, Montserrat has proven that our protocols are effective, and they have worked to keep our campus and community healthy and safe. I am confident we will continue to have success in this spring semester.
As always, we will continue to closely monitor the current situation and make changes as needed and that are necessary to ensure the health and safety of our community.
Please find below an update outlining our plans to safely open for the spring 2022 semester. We will provide our next communication on January 19, 2022 with any final details before your return back to campus.
I look forward to seeing you all and having a great spring semester!
Be well,
President Kurt
Fall 2021 Reopening News
We are ready – and excited – to welcome everyone to campus in the coming days! We wanted to provide a few updates about the start of the semester.
VACCINATIONS
While we have seen great progress in our vaccination rate, we will remind you that ALL members of the community are expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the start of the semester (August 28 for residential students and all staff and faculty; September 1 for all commuting students). Please take a photo of your official vaccination card and email it to sheryl.max@montserrat.edu. Please find here a student exemption form and faculty and staff exemption form.
As a reminder, there are many factors in a person’s life which influence the choices that they make. We do expect that there will be a few members of our community who complete the necessary exemption form and remain unvaccinated. It is our expectation that everyone will be treated with respect.
TESTING
After further evaluation and consultation, we have decided against pool testing (as previously announced) this year and we will continue with individual PCR testing….same as we did last year.
ALL community members will be tested ON-CAMPUS upon arrival. We will not be accepting any tests from outside agencies. The testing schedule is as follows (any changes to the schedule will be sent via email):
ON-BOARDING TESTING:
August 26:
Faculty and staff testing
9am – 9:45am, 12noon – 1:45pm and 3pm- 4pm
Check-in at Checkerboard
August 27:
Faculty, staff and commuters
10am – 2pm
Check-in at Checkerboard
August 28:
First year residents based on approved move-in appointment and new commuter students
8am – 12:30pm
Check-in at Checkerboard
August 29:
Returning residents, based on approved move-in appointment
9:45am – 4:30pm
Check-in at Checkerboard
August 30:
Returning residents, based on approved move-in appointment and commuter students
9am – 4pm
Check-in at Checkerboard
August 31:
Returning residents, based on approved move-in appointment and commuter students
9am – 4pm
Check-in at Checkerboard
September 1:
Commuter students, faculty and staff
10am – 11am, 12:30pm – 4pm
Check-in at Health Office
September 2:
Anyone still needing to have onboarding testing
10am – 2pm
Check-in at Health Office
Any student who does not participate in the required testing as explained above will face disciplinary action (warning and then fines with additional sanctions possible). Employees who fail to participate in onboarding testing will need to meet with their manager and get a test on their own.
Anyone who is not fully vaccinated must participate in weekly COVID testing. For those who are scheduled for their second COVID vaccine dose in the coming weeks, you will be required to test weekly until your completed vaccination documentation is received by the health office and you are two weeks out from your final dose.
There is no need for fully vaccinated community members to quarantine following onboarding testing. Unvaccinated community members, however, must quarantine until a negative PCR test result is confirmed.
WEEKLY TESTING for unvaccinated community members (students, faculty and staff) will be communicated directly to those impacted.
SURVEILLANCE TESTING will occur bi-weekly, at least through October, for all resident students and will be available ONLY to those community members designated in the ‘high risk’ category – those with ‘high contact hours’ with resident students and individuals with limited contact hours with residential students who have medically defined risk factors for severe COVID illness.
SURVEILLANCE TESTING will take place on the following days. Specific times will be announced the week before the testing, via email.
September 13th and 14th
September 28th and 29th
October 12th and 13th
October 26th and 27th
CONTACT TRACING
If you are contacted by anyone associated with Contract Tracing, you must respond and cooperate with contact tracing efforts.
SYMPTOM CHECKING
Everyone must use the Campus Clear app any day that they are on campus. You can find the free app here:
Links for mobile apps:
* Apple AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/app/campusclear/id1516163872
* Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.campusclear
* Web app: https://ivy.ai/app/campusclear
Anyone who experiences any of the following symptoms should remain at home and contact COVID-19@montserrat.edu for instructions:
- Fever above 100 degrees F and/or chills or feeling hot (if no thermometer available)
- Sore throat
- New cough not related to chronic condition
- Runny/stuffy nose/nasal congestion (not related to allergies or relieved by antihistamines)
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Diarrhea with or without respiratory symptoms
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Headache unrelated to chronic condition
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Loss of sense of taste or smell
Symptomatic students will be tested as needed. Symptomatic employees will be referred to their own PCP or Urgent Care for testing.
MASKS
Masks must be worn by all community members indoors in public and common spaces until at least October 3rd. This period will be covered by two rounds of on-campus testing. This timing is fluid, based on what is going on with variants, etc. Masks are not necessary outdoors UNLESS at a College event (class, activity, etc.).
VACCINATED students will NOT need to wear masks inside of their on-campus apartments, but should wear a mask when visiting other apartments.
VACCINATED employees will not need to wear masks in their individual office when alone or with other vaccinated employees if all agree. Faculty when in classrooms when no one else is present, including while on a break, will not need to wear a mask.
UNVACCINATED students and employees will need to be masked at all times, including in residence halls.
CLASSROOMS/STUDIOS
We encourage everyone to take food breaks outdoors, in the Common or under the tent at Hardie. When the weather changes we will identify a few places indoors where vaccinated commuter students, staff, and faculty can take unmasked food breaks.
To begin the semester, eating in classrooms/studios will not be permitted.
Classroom/studio capacity is at 75% for the fall semester.
Policies set by a faculty member in a classroom/studio should be followed.
The Tent at Hardie will be available for events and hanging out. Take advantage of the good weather and meet your people outdoors!
VISITORS
Residences: Resident students ONLY may visit other resident students, across campus, only with FULL HOUSE APPROVAL. Unvaccinated residents MUST be masked at all times when in housing, except when sleeping. There can be NO OVERNIGHT visitors until further notice. On or around October 3rd, this policy may change. NO commuters or other guests (family, friends, etc.) may enter any residences until further notice. (This policy will be relaxed during the designated move-in period August 28-August 31 for each resident student.)
Campus Buildings: Visitors will be permitted in academic/administration/gallery spaces on campus but must be masked at all times while indoors. Signs are being posted around campus to remind our community to remain masked inside campus buildings.
COMPLIANCE
We are a strong, inclusive and caring community. These measures are in place to keep our community healthy and they will be enforced. Please kindly remind people about the policies should you see something that doesn’t comply. Moments of forgetfulness will result in reminders, both verbal and written. Persistent forgetfulness or a willful disregard for these policies could result in serious consequences, up to separation from the College.
Any student who does not participate in the required testing as explained above will face disciplinary action (warning and then fines with additional sanctions possible). Employees who fail to participate in onboarding testing will need to meet with their manager and get a test on their own.
Please consider this document to be our pledge to keep the community safe. Please acknowledge that you have read this by using this link https://forms.gle/maQDzyGcRaAU7e4LA or the QR code and signing your name.
Thank you!
President Kurt
Community Members:
As we navigate our own work, worries and lives, the events of the past week remind us once again that the daily work of anti-racism is our obligation and duty to each other.
Part of that work is to acknowledge great injustice when it occurs in our world. I have been deeply saddened by the events in Georgia and the many events of racism that have unfolded in the United States and abroad. The violence against Asians is intolerable, as are any acts of racism against people of color anywhere.
In my reflection on the murders in Georgia specifically, I want to point out the evil duality of it. It is an event that highlights the evils of racism and misogyny. The victims were victimized again when the Captain in the Sheriff’s Office made it a point to mention that the murderer was “having a bad day”.
We need to make note of these injustices and make sure that we are lights in the darkness when they occur by keeping the pressure up on people that continue to make excuses for those that do evil against other people.
Please be a voice every day that does not normalize or create an atmosphere of tolerance for acts of racism.
These are some resources that could be helpful in your discussions and processing of these recent acts of violence.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/)
Asian Americans for Equality (https://www.aafe.org/)
Ways to Support and Donate (https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-to-help-asian-communities-2021.html)
Be well
Kurt
United States Secretary of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington DC 20202
Dear Secretary Cardona:
Please find attached the FY 2021 year-end report of activity for PL116-136 Title VIII Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CDFA/Subprogram No: 84.425) for Montserrat College of Art, Award No. P425F200847. In addition, the College was awarded (CDFA/Subprogram No. 84.425), Award No. P425M200964; and Award No. P425N200384.
Thank you and the hard work of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation for your unwavering dedication to Higher Education!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Dr Kurt T. Steinberg
President of Montserrat College of Art
HEERF Funding Report FY – 2021
As part of the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act and the CRRSAA: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II), Montserrat College of Art was awarded a total of $375,198 during the 2020-2021 school year to be used for direct emergency financial assistance for eligible students. $187,599 was awarded from September to December 2020, and another $187,599 was awarded from February to April 2021 to qualified students. During the Fall 2020 semester, 249 CARES grants were awarded to students. Later in the Spring 2021 semester, 311 HERF II grants were awarded to students.
To qualify in the Fall 2020 semester for the CARES grant, students needed to be enrolled in both the Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters and filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2020-2021 school year. To qualify in the Spring 2021 semester for HERF II grant, students needed to be enrolled for the semester and filed a FAFSA for the 2020-2021 school year. The Student Financial Services Office conducted outreach encouraging students to file a FAFSA as soon as possible to qualify for CARES funding.
Montserrat College of Art’s Chief Financial Officer, Financial Aid Director, and Bursar met on a regular basis to determine the best way to distribute the CARES and HERF II allotments in a fair manner. Many factors were evaluated when considering the amount of CARES funding to be distributed to each student. Those factors include but are not limited to: the student’s estimated family contribution from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the amount of grant and scholarship money already awarded, a student’s cost of attendance including but not limited to tuition, housing, course materials, and technology costs.
March 15, 2021
Last week marked one year since we began managing a global pandemic. Our community has worked hard this past year to continue to thrive in true Montserrat fashion. I am amazed every day at what we have accomplished together. With a successful fall semester, we felt positive the spring could achieve the same success and so far, that has been proven to be true. Please find here our COVID-19 Testing Dashboard reporting another successful round of testing. While the last year has been challenging, we are seeing brighter days.
In writing this today, I am thrilled to announce that Montserrat is planning for a fully engaged fall semester with regular campus activities. We understand the effects of COVID-19 will affect us into the fall semester (mask wearing and some distancing precautions), but we believe with everything we have learned in the last year, we are ready for a full return to campus.
It is our hope that making this announcement now helps students, families, faculty, and staff to plan accordingly. As always, we will continue to follow health and safety guidelines from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and official public health sources. We continue to work with the private colleges of Massachusetts in supporting any of these requirements to their fullest as needed and dictated.
We are grateful to our entire community for their hard work to make this challenging year a success. I look forward to our full reopening in the fall and getting back to a more full community experience. The last year shows me what a special and supportive community we are and continue to be. I am proud to call Montserrat my community of creativity and innovation. We continue to support your students’ creative lives as we forge the next 50 years of this great institution together. .
Be well and stay safe!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kurt T. Steinberg
President
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
As part of the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act, Montserrat College of Art has been awarded funding to be used for direct emergency financial assistance for eligible students during the 20/21 academic year.
When the CARES Act was signed into effect on March 27, 2020, institutions were required that 50 percent of an institution’s allocation under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act be used for financial aid grants to students, which was represented by the institution’s CARES Act Student Aid Portion award. Montserrat was awarded a total of $375,198 on May 6, 2020, of which $187,599 was awarded to 218 qualifying students between September 17 and December 21, 2020.
When the new CRRSAA: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) was signed into effect on December 27, 2020, it required that an institution receiving funding under section 314(a)(1) provide the “same amount” in financial aid grants to students from the new CRRSAA funds that it was required or which it would have been required to provide under its original CARES Act Student Aid Portion award.
Because this law appropriates more funding (approximately $22 billion instead of $14 billion) for supplemental and new awards under CRRSAA section 314(a)(1), the Department of Education anticipates that, on average, a larger share of (a)(1) allocations will be available for institutional support than under the CARES Act. Montserrat College of Art was awarded $605, 741 on January 19, 2021, of which $187,599 will be awarded directly to qualifying students by April 15, 2021.
The following information is being made public according to the requirements of these Acts:
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This is to acknowledge that Montserrat College of Art has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education Certification and Agreement that meets the Federal statutes as follows:
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Montserrat College of Art has been awarded a total of $980,939 to date, of which $605,741 is for Montserrat to use for unforeseen and unanticipated overall pandemic expenses, equipment, and supplies; testing for students, faculty, and staff; needed operations and emergency student housing costs and related expenses.
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$375,198 of the CARES ACT is designated to be used as direct assistance to students. These funds will be distributed during the 20/21 academic year to enrolled Montserrat students who filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 20/21 school year and were impacted by the disruption of their education due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
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At the time of this letter, Montserrat has 293 students who have filed a FAFSA and are currently enrolled at the college for the Spring semester. All Montserrat students who filed a FAFSA for the 20/21 school year and are currently enrolled will become eligible to receive a CARES Grant.
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Montserrat College of Art’s Chief Financial Officer, Financial Aid Director, and Bursar have been meeting on a regular basis to determine the best way to distribute the CARES allotment in a fair manner. Many factors are being evaluated when considering the amount of CARES funding to be distributed to each student. Those factors include but are not limited to: the student’s estimated family contribution from the FAFSA, the amount of grant and scholarship money already awarded, a student’s cost of attendance including but not limited to tuition, housing, course materials, and technology costs.
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Student Financial Services has been doing outreach encouraging students to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. There is no application needed to be eligible for the CARES funds other than the FAFSA.
Be well and stay safe!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kurt T. Steinberg
President
Dear Montserrat Community,
Happy New Year! I hope you all are enjoying your Winter Break and using this time to recharge and put your creativity to good use. The Fall Semester taught us a lot, and we’re ready to have the same success this Spring.
We currently intend to start Spring Semester classes, as planned, on January 25th. However, with COVID cases on the rise as we come down from the holiday surge, we have decided that all Studio and Liberal Arts classes will be taught remotely for the first two weeks of the term (January 25th – February 5th).
Although classes will be taught remotely to begin the semester, studios, labs and shops may be open with restrictions. For the beginning of the Spring 2021 semester ‘open’ classrooms in Hardie can be accessed once a student is out of quarantine. Specialized spaces that require a monitor including Printmaking, Photo, Sculpture and the Fabrication Lab are scheduled to open during the week of February 1st. Senior spaces will open the end of the last week of January. Additional information is available in the ‘Studio Access’ section below.
We have also implemented a revised academic calendar for the Spring, which removes the Spring Break in a further effort to keep our community safe. (Several days off from classes have been sprinkled throughout the term so that students still get the breaks that they need.)
We are planning a safe return of students to campus to ensure we can have everyone tested in order to start the semester on the right track. This update will outline our plan to safely open the campus for the Spring semester and remind everyone of the protocols in place. As always, we continue to monitor all of the guidance from public health and government officials and will be ready to pivot as needed.
Be well,
President Kurt
RESOURCES
Academic Access Studio Meagan Grant
Writing Center Colleen Michaels
Financial Aid Joanne Rakoc
Library Services Cheri Coe
Student Affairs Maureen Wark
Technology Services cts@montserrat.edu
Health Services sheryl.max@montserrat.edu
Registrar theresa.skelly@montserrat.edu
… … …
INTRODUCTION
Testing
One of the many efforts Montserrat College of Art is undertaking to help keep the community safe and healthy is to offer on-campus COVID-19 testing. Montserrat is working with the Safe for Schools Program with the Broad Institute for this testing program.
We are requiring COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty and staff who will be living/studying/working on campus prior to the start of classes. Those members of the community who will be studying and working completely remotely do not need to be tested since they will not be returning to campus.
Commuter students, residents who are currently on campus, faculty and staff can be tested on campus on Wednesday, January 20th and Thursday, January 21st from 10am – 3pm. You do not need to ‘schedule’ an appointment, but it would be helpful to know if you are planning to come for testing on those days. Please complete this brief form (3 questions!) so that we can plan accordingly: https://form.jotform.com/210116087797056
Resident students will be tested upon arrival for move-in. Move-in will be by appointment on January 23rd and January 24th, like in the fall. Each resident student will receive an email by Friday, January 15th with instructions on how to schedule a move-in time. Everyone moving in will need to get their COVID test upon arrival to campus, before moving in. Each resident may bring one person to help them move-in.
MONTSERRAT SURVEILLANCE COVID-19 TESTING PROGRAM OVERVIEW
In addition to the start of classes testing, surveillance testing for COVID-19 will continue to be conducted throughout the spring semester for the community.
Please note, this testing program is for individuals without symptoms of COVID-19. Any individual with any symptoms of COVID-19 should remain home and follow up with their medical practitioner for testing and complete isolation. If a student is symptomatic of COVID-19 during the registration process, they will be directed to return home and will need to submit documentation of testing and clearance from isolation before returning to campus.
Initial Surveillance COVID-19 testing will be done on campus. Resident students must quarantine until a negative test result is received.
COVID-19 Testing procedure for the start of the semester:
- On all testing days, masks and social distancing are required.
- Commuting students, faculty and staff will be tested on January 20 and January 21st. An email with details will be sent by January 15th.
- Resident students will be tested upon return to campus on January 23rd and January 24th, by appointment. Details will be sent via email by January 15th.
- Everyone being tested will be given verbal instructions on the process and on receiving results.
- At check-in, each participant will confirm their name, date of birth and phone number.
- For the spring semester, there is no need to sign a consent form unless you are new to the process. New students under the age of 18 are required to have a consent form for testing completed by a parent or guardian.
- Once checked in, the participant will receive a test tube with a barcoded label on it and be directed to the next station. The Participant will proceed to the next station to blow their nose and sanitize their hands.
- Participants will then move to the self-swab testing station. The Montserrat Health Director or designee will observe the participant performing the self nasal swab and ensure that proper technique is being followed. During testing, the testing staff and participants will remain 6 ft apart and wear face masks, and will be separated by a plexiglass barrier as a safety precaution.
- AT THE START OF THE SEMESTER ONLY, each participant must quarantine after taking the test. Residential students will proceed to move into their assigned apartments and begin quarantine until their COVID test results are received. Masks should be worn by everyone in the apartment until everyone in the apartment receives a negative test result. Commuting students, faculty and staff will return home and await their COVID test results.
TESTING RESULTS:
- Testing results will be reported within 24 to 48 hours via CareEvolve, which is the webportal used by BROAD testing program. Participants will be sent an email from CareEvolve with a link for registration into the system, which allows you access to your results.
- Only negative results will be reported to participants. Positive results will be sent to the campus Health Office, as well as to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Beverly Department of Health. You will be contacted via telephone at the phone number you enter during testing registration if you have a positive result.
ON-GOING SURVEILLANCE TESTING
Based on updated guidance from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Montserrat will be performing COVID testing approximately every 10 days during the spring semester. The testing schedule will be released during the first week of the semester. This testing will be mandatory for all resident students and available to those who fall under the ‘highest risk’ category:
Highest risk: Residential students and individuals with high contact hours with residential students. Individuals with limited contact hours with residential students who have medically defined risk factors for severe COVID illness.
Monthly surveillance testing will continue to be offered for those community members who fall into the ‘medium or low risk’ categories, as defined here:
Medium risk: Nonresidential individuals who commute to campus, have limited contact hours with residential students, and work in environments with appropriate protocols to limit the spread of infection.
Low risk: Staff who commute to campus who have little or no contact with students and others working in environments with appropriate protocols to limit the spread of infection.
IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID and/or WERE IN CLOSE CONTACT OF SOMEONE WHO TESTED POSITIVE: Anyone who indicates that they are experiencing any symptoms or that they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID should reach out to COVID-19@montserrat.edu IMMEDIATELY so that there can be a follow-up conversation with the Health Director.
DAILY SYMPTOM CHECK:
Every community member is REQUIRED to use a free symptom checker app called CampusClear for daily checks, etc. This symptom checker can help to identify an individual who needs to be in quarantine or if medical follow up care is necessary. The app usage is checked daily. The app is CampusClear and you can download it now so that now you can get used to incorporating this task into your daily routine! There is also a web version.
Apple AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/app/campusclear/id1516163872
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.campusclear
Web app: https://ivy.ai/app/campusclear
This app does not use GPS.
Cleaning of Campus
We have added weekend cleaning and sanitizing of Hardie, 248 Cabot St and 301 Cabot St to the schedule. We continue to follow CDC guidelines in terms of process and products purchased.
Out-of-State Travel Guidance
Please consult the Mass.gov website for UP-TO-DATE travel information. At this writing, the Commonwealth is identifying only 1 ‘low-risk’ state (Hawaii), but this could change. If you are coming from a low-risk state, you do not need to do anything other than what is stated above in the ‘Testing’ section. If you are coming from a ‘high risk’ state, you must follow all guidance on this page: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order#lower-risk-states-.
If you are travelling back to campus via plane, train or bus, you will be tested on campus upon arrival for the spring semester and again 5 days later. A negative test result ONLY from the on-campus test will cancel the need for the 14 day travel quarantine. More details will be provided as the testing period gets closer.
FOR STUDENTS
Academic Schedules
It was an important part of the Spring 2021 course registration process that students had choices in the classes they selected AND in the way they chose to take classes. It is our intention to honor all of those choices in the best way possible. Should students need to make adjustments in their schedules because their own personal circumstances have changed, please contact Laura Ives, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, by emailing laura.ives@monttserrat.edu. If Montserrat is required to adjust any of its plans because of the ongoing pandemic, students will be contacted as quickly as possible.
Students may also contact Alex Carley, the Academic Affairs Coordinator, to set up a call regarding their classes or any other class related issues by emailing alexandra.carley@montserrat.edu or calling 978-921-4242 ext. 1602.
Out-of-Class Studio Access
A list of workspaces will be provided at the beginning of the semester where commuter and resident students may access a remote class from somewhere on campus. In addition, ‘open’ studios will be available in the evenings and on the weekends. Resident students will be permitted to do some studio work in their apartments.
Specialized spaces that require a monitor, including Printmaking, Photo, Sculpture and the Fabrication Lab, are scheduled to open during the week of February 1st. Senior spaces will open the end of the last week of January. Restricted areas may be accessed before those times to retrieve materials and supplies by making an appointment M-F 11:00 am-12:10 pm with the relevant Technicians and Staff.
Fabrication Lab: Winslow Funaki winslow.funaki@montserrat.edu
Printmaking and Photography: Joe Saunders joseph.saunders@montserrat.edu
Sculpture: Holly Kelly holly.kelly@montserrat.edu
Senior Workspaces: Stacy Thomas-Vickory stacy.thomas-vickory@montserrat.edu
Dear Campus Community,
I would like to thank each of you for helping to achieve our goal of a complete – and healthy – fall semester! It was the entire community following all of the guidelines – mask wearing, hand washing, social distancing, participating in surveillance testing, etc – that got us through the entire semester with only one COVID case on campus. The winter break comes at a great time for our community to rest and catch our breath. I hope that you all have a chance to enjoy it.
It is our intention to begin Spring Semester classes, as planned, on January 25th. Until we all have access to a vaccine and the pandemic is under control, Montserrat will continue to operate in very similar ways to Fall 2020. The good news is that we have just proven to ourselves that our system is effective in keeping you all learning and keeping the community safe.
This update will outline the plan to safely open the campus for the spring semester and remind everyone of the protocols currently in place. Should the safety conditions in our community require us to take more drastic actions (including the possibility of delaying the start of classes), an announcement will be made during the first week of January, 2021. At that time, we expect to have a better sense of trends here in Beverly and in Massachusetts. We continue to monitor all of the guidance from public health and government officials.
Be well,
President Kurt
RESOURCES
Academic Access Studio Meagan Grant
Writing Center Colleen Michaels
Financial Aid Joanne Rakoc
Library Services Cheri Coe
Student Affairs Maureen Wark
Technology Services cts@montserrat.edu
Health Services sheryl.max@
… … …
INTRODUCTION
Testing
One of the many efforts Montserrat College of Art is undertaking to help keep the community safe and healthy is to offer on-campus COVID-19 testing. Montserrat is working with the Safe for Schools Program with the Broad Institute for this testing program.
We are requiring COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty and staff who will be living/studying/working on campus prior to the start of classes. Those members of the community who will be studying and working completely remotely do not need to be tested since they will not be returning to campus.
We are asking everyone to get tested for the virus within 72 hours/3 days of coming to campus for the semester. You must present a NEGATIVE PCR test result in order to come to campus. A rapid test result will not be accepted. IF YOU CAN NOT get a test within 72 hours/3 days of coming to campus, you will be tested on campus, at no cost.
Commuter students, faculty and staff can be tested on campus the week before classes begin. Those dates will be noted in the early January announcement.
Resident students will be tested upon arrival for move-in. Move-in and testing will be by appointment. An update will be provided in the early January announcement.
MONTSERRAT SURVEILLANCE COVID-19 TESTING PROGRAM OVERVIEW
In addition to the start of classes testing, surveillance testing for COVID-19 will continue to be conducted throughout the spring semester for the community.
Please note, this testing program is for individuals without symptoms of COVID-19. Any individual with any symptoms of COVID-19 should remain home and follow up with their medical practitioner for testing and complete isolation. If a student is symptomatic of COVID-19 during the registration process, they will be directed to return home and will need to submit documentation of testing and clearance from isolation before returning to campus
Initial Surveillance COVID-19 testing can be conducted:
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By providing a negative test PCR result within 72 hours/3 days of move in or return to campus or
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By being tested on campus upon arrival to campus, before moving into campus housing, attending in person classes or returning to work on campus.
COVID-19 Testing Check-In Procedure:
- Students, faculty and staff will be assigned a testing date and time frame prior to arrival on campus. Testing participants will be provided with self nasal swab instructions prior to testing date for review.
- Testing participants will visit the campus testing collection site on their assigned date. Participants will be required to wear a face mask and maintain 6ft social distance from others at all times while at the testing site, e.g. while waiting in line, checking in, etc.
- Participants will be provided with written instructions for self nasal swabbing and result reporting.
- Participants will confirm that their name, date of birth, and phone number when checking in at the test site. Students under the age of 18 will be required to have a consent form for testing completed and signed by a parent or guardian.
- Commuter students will need to provide their LOCAL address, at check-in, for testing and tracking purposes.
- Once checked in, the participant will receive a test tube with a barcoded label on it and be directed to the next station. 6a. Participant will blow their nose and sanitize their hands at the next station.
- Participants will then move to the self-swab testing station. The Montserrat Health Director or designee will observe the participant performing the self nasal swab and ensure that proper technique is being followed. During testing, the testing staff and participants will remain 6 ft apart and wear face masks, and will be separated by a plexiglass barrier as a safety precaution.
AT THE START OF SEMESTER ONLY:
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Following testing, residential students will proceed to move into their assigned apartments and begin quarantine until their COVID test results are received. Commuting students, faculty and staff will return home and await their COVID test results.
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Testing results will be reported within 24 to 48 hours via CareEvolve, which is the webportal used by BROAD testing program. Participants will be sent an email from CareEvolve with a link for registration into the system, which allows you access to your results.
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Only negative results will be reported to participants. Positive results will be sent to the campus Health Office, as well as to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Beverly Department of Health. You will be contacted via telephone at the phone number you enter during testing registration if you have a positive result.
ON-GOING SURVEILLANCE TESTING
Based on updated guidance from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Montserrat will be performing COVID testing approximately every 10 days during the spring semester. This testing will be mandatory for all resident students and available to those who fall under the ‘highest risk’ category:
Highest risk: Residential students and individuals with high contact hours with residential students. Individuals with limited contact hours with residential students who have medically defined risk factors for severe COVID illness.
Monthly surveillance testing will continue to be offered for those community members who fall into the ‘medium or low risk’ categories, as defined here:
Medium risk: Nonresidential individuals who commute to campus, have limited contact hours with residential students, and work in environments with appropriate protocols to limit the spread of infection.
Low risk: Staff who commute to campus who have little or no contact with students and others working in environments with appropriate protocols to limit the spread of infection.
DAILY SYMPTOM CHECK:
Every community member is REQUIRED to download – and use – a free symptom checker app for daily checks, etc. This symptom checker can help to identify an individual who needs to be in quarantine or if medical follow up care is necessary. Anyone who indicates that they are experiencing any symptoms or that they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID should reach out to COVID-19@montserrat.edu so that there can be a follow-up conversation with the Health Director. The app usage is checked daily. The app is CampusClear and you can download it now so that now you can get used to incorporating this task into your daily routine! There is also a web version.
CampusClear 4+
Apple AppStore: https://apps.apple.com/app/
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/
Web app: https://ivy.ai/app/campusclear
This app does not use GPS.
Cleaning of Campus
We have added weekend cleaning and sanitizing of Hardie, 248 Cabot St and 301 Cabot St to the schedule. We continue to follow CDC guidelines in terms of process and products purchased.
Out-of-State Travel Guidance
Please consult the Mass.gov website for UP-TO-DATE travel information. At this writing, the Commonwealth is identifying only 1 ‘low-risk’ state, but this could change. If you are coming from one of those states, you do not need to do anything other than what is stated above in the ‘Testing’ section. If you are coming from a ‘high risk’ state, you must follow all guidance on this page: https://www.mass.gov/info-
If you are coming from a ‘high risk’ state, you will be tested on campus upon arrival for the spring semester and again 5 days later. A negative test result ONLY from the on-campus test will cancel the need for the 14 day travel quarantine. More details will be provided as the testing period gets closer.
FOR STUDENTS
Academic Schedules
It was an important part of the Spring 2021 course registration process this Fall that students had choices in the classes they selected AND in the way they chose to take classes. It is our intention to honor all of those choices in the best way possible. Should students need to make adjustments in their schedules because their own personal circumstances have changed, please contact Laura Ives, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, by emailing laura.ives@monttserrat.edu. If Montserrat is required to adjust any of its plans because of the ongoing pandemic, students will be contacted as quickly as possible.
Students may also contact Alex Carley, the Academic Affairs Coordinator, to set up a call regarding their classes or any other class related issues by emailing alexandra.carley@montserrat.
Out-of-Class Studio Access
A list of workspaces will be provided at the beginning of the semester where commuter and resident students may access a remote class from somewhere on campus. In addition, there will be some outdoor space and ‘open’ studios available in the evenings and on the weekends. Resident students will be permitted to do some studio work in their apartments.
CAMPUS LIFE
Residence Halls
After the January announcement, resident students will be requested to submit their preferred move-in day and time. Each student will have a one hour block to get tested and to move in. Each student may bring one helper with them to move back into their residence hall and all protocols must be followed.
Dr. Kurt T. Steinberg | President
23 Essex Street, Beverly, MA 01915 | 978.921.4242 x1110
PRESIDENT’S REOPENING MESSAGE
FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020
Dear Montserrat Community Members,
After a preview last week of our fall reopening, please see the Montserrat College of Art Fall 2020 Campus Reopening Plan. This document is an introduction to the plans currently in place to create a healthy and safe place to learn, teach, study, live and work. We will continue to monitor the updates and changes to regulations being formulated by public health and government officials. This document will be updated as details are added and if guidance needs to be modified based on information from our consultants and official public health sources.
Over the next few months, this information will be shared again and again. We are living through an unprecedented moment, constantly learning new things, and frequently having to remind ourselves that things are not going to be exactly like they were in the past. There are many new behaviors we’ll have to learn and relearn. Through it all, I know that Montserrat will continue to be the very human and empathetic place it has always been. No matter the future, you can be assured that we will still be committed to ensuring that all of us will stay committed to our creative lives.
Most Sincerely,
President Kurt
RESOURCES
Academic Access Studio Meagan Grant
Writing Studio Colleen Michaels
Financial Aid Joanne Rakoc
Library Services Cheri Coe
Student Affairs Maureen Wark
Technology Services cts@montserrat.edu
Health Services sheryl.max@montserrat.edu
Hello Everyone:
This is an important link to a YouTube Interview with some key members of the staff working hard on preparing the campus for a safe and healthy return of Faculty, Students and Staff.
It is 30 minutes of great information done as a panel Question and Answer format. We will not cover everything but I think it brings into focus a lot of the efforts being planned and actively worked on as the Summer turns into Fall.
Our initial guidance will be posted on the website and distributed to you on July 10. This is a preview of our thinking so far and introducing some of the people dedicating themselves to the important planning.
Here is the link.
Please take the time to view it and look out for the more comprehensive guidance on July 10.
Be well.
President Kurt
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020
Dear Montserrat Faculty and Staff,
We are thrilled to announce that we are planning to resume on-campus, in-person classes as scheduled, in late August. We are eager to start a new academic year with both new and returning students.
Things will be different, in the classrooms, studio spaces and residence halls, with social distancing and new health and safety guidelines, but we are excited to be able to welcome our community back to Beverly!
The ‘official’ reopening of campus and academic year kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27 when we are planning for the faculty and staff to meet and celebrate where we have been, and discuss how we are moving forward for the fall semester. (This will be online if we can’t meet physically.)
We are spending these next few months ensuring the cleanliness of campus through the use of many new tools and protocols, and everyone on campus will be provided with new guidelines to follow to ensure health and safety going forward.
All summer programs are being offered remotely to allow more time for cleaning, planning and preparing for the fall semester. They include Pre-College, STEAM and the Art Educator’s Workshop.
We are expecting to welcome back new and returning students to campus Aug. 28-Sept 1, using a staggered approach with appointments.
To comply with social distancing, the college is making changes to physical spaces in residence halls, classrooms and studios, which will be outlined in more detail as we are provided with more guidance from our public health offices and government officials. We will send more detailed information to you in July.
The faculty, staff and students were amazing at pivoting to online learning last spring and we will be prepared, should the need arise, to consider all options if future conditions warrant that.
I am happy to report that the admissions office has met its enrollment goals for the fall and that our retention numbers for returning students are very strong!
The last year will certainly be one to remember but my biggest takeaway is how proud I am to be a part of this community. I am looking forward to seeing everyone back on campus!
Sincerely,
President Kurt
