Yes. For the 2021-2022 academic year, classes will resume in-person at the College. Students will have the option to enroll fully in-person, hybrid, virtual, pure online, or a combination of the above for the Fall semester. Certain courses and programs may only be offered in-person due to academic and curricular requirements.

Please refer to the Restart Plan for more information

Yes. All eligible students, faculty, and staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved by the College.

All students, faculty and staff must attest to their vaccination status by September 1, 2021. The Attestation Form must be completed and submitted electronically. (Click here for Attestation Form) 

Should you have questions regarding the Attestation Form or require assistance with the Attestation Form, students should contact Dr. Bello DeCastro at bellodecastro@essex.edu and employees should contact Laura Byrd at byrdl@essex.edu. 

Proof of vaccination for students, faculty and staff is required by the College. Details on how to submit vaccination documentation will be shared soon.

All unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff are subject to mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing and shall submit proof of PCR testing to the College. The College has arranged to provide vaccinations and COVID-19 PCR testing to students, faculty, and staff.

Please refer to the Restart Plan for more information

Yes. The College requires all individuals to wear a mask/face covering indoors regardless of vaccination status unless they have a medical exemption approved by the College.

Should you require approval of a medical exemption please review the Disability Accommodation/Medical Exemption document.

• ADA Exemption for Students
• ADA Exemption for Employees

Masks/face coverings may be removed while students, faculty and staff are eating so long as social distancing is maintained. Faculty and staff may also remove face coverings at their work stations while alone.

Social distancing at all times is encouraged by the College. For information on social distancing Click to Watch Social Distancing Video Instructions

Please refer to the Restart Plan for more information

At this time, the College requires masks/face coverings while indoors, unless a medical exemption is approved by the College. Additionally, the College follows all local, state and federal guidelines. The CDC guidelines indicate that if you are in an outdoor crowded setting or participating in activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated, wear a mask, particularly in areas with high numbers of cases. Additionally, CDC recommends social distancing from people you do not live with during outdoor activities.

Social distancing at all times is encouraged by the College. For information on social distancing Click to Watch Social Distancing Video Instructions

Please refer to the Restart Plan for more information. For information on the latest CDC guidelines please visit www.cdc.gov

At this time, the College requires masks/face coverings while indoors, unless a medical exemption is approved by the College. Please contact your physician regarding the mask requirement.

Should you require approval of a medical exemption please review the Disability Accommodation/Medical Exemption document.

• ADA Exemption for Students
• ADA Exemption for Employees

Please note that students have the option to enroll fully in-person, hybrid, virtual, or a combination of the above for the Fall semester. Certain courses and programs, however, may only be offered in-person due to academic and curricular requirements.

For more information please visit  www.essex.edu/onlineclasssupport/ for specific information on options for the class being offered during the Fall semester.

Please refer to the Restart Plan for more information.

Students without access to technology at home should contact the Office of Information Technology at  helpdesk@essex.edu. Additionally, Academic Labs will be open with social distancing to the greatest extent possible.

The College’s services/programs are open subject to local, state, and federal guidelines.

Please refer to the Restart Plan for more information.

At this time, the study abroad program is suspended.

Please refer to the Restart Plan for more information.

Facilities maintains a schedule for cleaning and disinfecting. The Facilities Department inspections, cleaning, and maintenance will include but is not limited to cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains, grab bars, hand railings, bathroom stalls, and dining hall tables) between uses to the greatest extent possible. Additionally, classrooms will be disinfected after every class, to the greatest extent possible and practicable.

The College will provide disinfecting wipes in each classroom. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use disinfectant wipes on desks, lab equipment, shared objects and surfaces.  Hand-washing stations or hand sanitizer will also be available throughout the college. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use hand sanitizers as needed.

Please refer to the Restart Plan for more information.

All entry points are open with the exception of the bridge due to ongoing construction

All students, faculty and staff are required to provide true and accurate information on the Attestation Form. Any student, faculty or staff that provides willfully false statements or information on the Attestation Form may be subject to discipline and/or hold on their account.

If you are sick, stay home.

Individuals exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or who have a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 are required to stay home and/or should seek medical advice. Said individuals will not be granted entry into the College and should continue to follow the CDC guidelines on quarantine and isolation.

For information on the latest CDC guidelines please visit www.cdc.gov

If you are fully vaccinated and you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you do not have symptoms. If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, stay home, get tested, and notify Student Affairs at bellodecastro@essex.edu if you are a student, and Human Resources at bridgett@essex.edu  if you are an employee.

You must continue to wear a mask/face covering indoors. If you have an approved face mask exemption and cannot wear a mask, you should stay home until you have tested negative for COVID-19.

If your test result is positive, you should notify Student Affairs at bellodecastro@essex.edu if you are a student, and Human Resources at bridgett@essex.edu if you are an employee, and self-isolate for at least 10 days. You must test negative for COVID-19 before you can return to campus.

If you are a student without an approved mask exemption and simply forgot to bring a mask/face covering, please visit the Student Welcome Center, located on the 2nd Floor (Main Entrance), immediately, to obtain a proper mask. If you attend class without a mask/face covering, your professor will direct you to the Student Welcome Center and you are expected to return to class with an appropriate mask/face covering. Failure to comply with the mask/face covering requirement and/or directives from College faculty and staff related to mask/face coverings may result in removal from campus and disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Handbook.

If you have an approved mask exemption, you may notify your professor and/or supervisor of your exemption in advance of reporting to class and/or work. Additionally, you must provide proof of COVID-19 test on a weekly basis. Students, please contact Student Affairs at bellodecastro@essex.edu and employees please contact Human Resources at bridgett@essex.edu for more information and guidance.