COVID-19 Student FAQs

Once I’ve been vaccinated, do I still need to wear a mask?

Not generally. Bard’s mask mandate, already lifted for outdoor activities for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, has also been lifted for vaccinated individuals inside campus facilities. This new guidance applies only to vaccinated individuals; any unvaccinated individuals must still wear masks indoors. Please note that some facilities and activities may still require masking. Your supervisor or program director will advise you if your facility or program requires special protocols due to its specific circumstances. Please see the College's full mask guidelines for details.

Will Bard College require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for the fall 2021 semester?

Yes. In light of the updated guidance from New York State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the proven effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines as a public health measure, Bard College will require all students, faculty, and staff studying or working on campus to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by August 1, 2021.

Public health experts advise that universal vaccination is the surest basis for a normal campus experience, including expanded in-person instruction, campus activities, athletics, performances, and gatherings in the fall. In addition, the American College Health Association has recommended that colleges require COVID-19 vaccination for all on-campus students for the fall 2021 semester. Over 200 other colleges and universities have announced such a requirement. As the ACHA notes, pre-matriculation vaccination requirements for students attending institutions of higher education in the United States are not new. 

 Will surveillance testing continue throughout the summer?

Yes. The College’s COVID-19 testing program will continue into the summer as we welcome summer cohorts of students and conduct surveillance testing of employees. We will continue to administer the same highly accurate PCR test through the MIT/Broad Institute program that has served us well all year and often delivers results in less than 24 hours.

When can I get a vaccination?

As of April 6, everyone in New York age 16 and over is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. That means the entire Bard College community is now eligible, and we encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please use this tool on the New York State website to find a nearby vaccination site and make an individual appointment.

What is isolation housing? How does it differ from quarantine housing?

Dedicated housing for on-campus students who have tested positive for COVID-19 is called isolation housing. Quarantine housing is dedicated housing for on-campus students who have been determined by the state or the Dutchess County Health Department as needing to quarantine for up to 14 days due to potential exposure to COVID-19 or State Travel Advisories. Learn more by clicking the buttons below.
Isolation Housing
Quarantine Housing

I just found out I had contact with someone with COVID-19. What quarantine protocol should I follow?

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced updated quarantine guidelines for New York that are consistent with the latest Centers for Disease Control guidance. Under the new guidelines, individuals exposed to COVID-19 can end their quarantine after 10 days without a testing requirement as long as no symptoms have been reported during the quarantine period. After day 10 is reached, individuals must continue monitoring for symptoms through day 14 and if any develop, they should immediately self-isolate and contact the local health department or their healthcare provider to report this change and determine if they should seek testing. Individuals should continue strict adherence to all recommended safe behaviors to stop the spread—wearing masks, socially distancing, and avoiding gatherings.

If it is confirmed that a student has been in close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 within the previous 14 days, that student will either self-isolate or quarantine. In many cases, students will be able to self-isolate in their rooms adhering to Department of Health guidance. In some cases, students may be relocated to other housing. 

What resources are available to students in quarantine?

Students in isolation or quarantine will be supported by health, counseling, wellness, our COVID-19 Contact Team, and Residential Life staff. Meals will be provided along with digital check-ins. Academic support will be provided by academic advisers and the deans in the Center for Student Life and Advising.

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?

Students with positive test results will be moved to dedicated isolation housing. While keeping a student’s identity and health information secure, we will coordinate with the Department of Health to begin contact tracing.

Health Service providers will check in daily via Telehealth or in person for mild or moderate illness, and ensure that students have the medications and supplies they need. Meals will be delivered and isolation housing will include beverages and snacks. If warranted, students will be referred to the emergency room at Northern Dutchess Hospital (part of Nuvance Health), which is 10 minutes away. Bard Counseling Service will be available via Telehealth for mental health care.
 

Will students be monitored for symptoms on campus?

All students, living on campus and off, will be required to complete a daily health screening. Our partners at Involvio, with whom we were already working on student engagement activities, have developed a Safe Reopen app, which enables students to complete their screening online. All students will have to show that they have completed the screening and received a “pass” before entering campus facilities, including classrooms and the dining commons.

The College has also established a contact tracing team to supplement the efforts of the Dutchess County health department. All members of this team have taken online training developed by Johns Hopkins University. Bard’s contact tracers, in close coordination with county health officials, will follow up with anyone who tests positive or believes they have been exposed to COVID.

What should I do if I feel sick or think I’ve been exposed?

If any student, residing on or off campus, feels ill or learns that they may have been exposed to coronavirus, quarantine/isolate yourself immediately. If you are off campus, please quarantine in place in your room and notify the Dutchess County Coronavirus Hotline at 845-486-3555. If you are on campus, please notify the Security Emergency Line at 845-758-7777.

I have cold or allergy-like symptoms. Should I get a COVID-19 test just to be safe?

Yes. Please do not dismiss cold or flu-like symptoms. If you experience cold or allergy-like symptoms, even mild ones, please get yourself tested for COVID. In the vast majority of cases, it will not be COVID, but even one undiagnosed case poses a risk to you and creates the potential for spread in your community. If you are experiencing symptoms, please fill out your daily health screening to indicate these symptoms and alert the Bard Health Service to get yourself tested. 

I feel sad, anxious, or depressed. Who can I talk to?

We understand that many students have experienced a great deal of change and disruption since the outbreak of COVID-19. Bard Counseling Services, in collaboration with Health Services, Student Government, Residence Life, and Wellness, are offering a range of workshops, programs, training, and support groups that use a trauma-informed approach and are guided by racial and social justice principles. Our programming is geared to support the mental well-being of all students as they begin or return to Bard.

Bard College remains cognizant and concerned about the disparate impact of this pandemic on people of color and individuals from financially challenged backgrounds, and the additional stress and anxiety during these difficult times. The Office of the Dean for Inclusive Excellence, the Financial Aid Office, the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and other campus resources are available to offer assistance in coping with the additional stressors generated by COVID-19.

Bard Counseling is offering teletherapy. Please visit the Counseling website to set up an appointment. In addition, the Counseling staff has added a page of virtual mental health resources.

Bard Wellness is offering a host of virtual programming during the pandemic, including meditation, peer health open hours, and “Show and Tail” (virtual Dog Days). They also offer resources for self-care during this time. Visit the Wellness website for details.

Can I host visitors on campus?

The main Bard College campus grounds are now open to the public, with COVID-19 safety protocols still in place. Please note that no visitors of any kind are permitted inside buildings or facilities unless they have been approved in advance. Students should contact the Dean of Student Affairs Office at dosa@bard.edu to request visitor approval. All visitors must be accompanied at all times by their Bard host and must follow all masking and physical distancing requirements. Once approval is received, the authorized visitor will be sent an email from the COVID Check-In Coordinator with a link to the health screening form, which they must complete prior to their arrival on campus.

Is the main campus open to the public?

Yes, the main Bard College campus grounds in Annandale are now open to the community. Please be aware that, due to Bard Summerscape rehearsals and performances at Montgomery Place, public access to the Montgomery Place campus will be restricted throughout the summer; please consult the Montgomery Place website for details. External groups that wish to hold outdoor gatherings on campus grounds should contact responseteam@bard.edu to discuss relevant restrictions and required approvals. Please note that indoor access is still restricted only to approved visitors, and one-way traffic flow inside buildings and related signage are being discontinued/removed. 

Is Montgomery Place open to the public?

Montgomery Place is open to the public from dawn to dusk on Mondays only through August 13 (closed July 5) to accommodate Bard SummerScape programming. Mansion tours are currently suspended. Visit the Montgomery Place website for more information.

Has the College provided guidance for summer travel?

Yes. The College has updated its travel guidelines to reflect improving public health conditions and rising vaccination rates. While we ask that all members of our community exercise caution when undertaking higher risk activities such as travel, official College travel is no longer restricted. Please take relevant CDC and U.S. State Department travel advisories into account.  

What should I do if I see someone on campus who does not appear to be following guidelines for community health and safety?

There will be instances when the community norms may seem hard to follow. Mask fatigue will be real. People will forget. Some will become frustrated with physical distancing. All members of the community serve as the front line in encouraging personal accountability, through open communication and with kindness.

Masks are available around campus for anyone who needs one. You should feel empowered to approach someone without a mask and ask them if they need help finding a spare. They may have simply forgotten or were running late, and can be gently reminded to put on a mask or to wear it correctly. If a student or employee hasn’t completed their health check for the day, start a conversation by first learning why they missed it that day. Reminders about the need for everyone to be diligent and engage in safe practices are essential, and active listening is key.

Mutual Responsibility: “Remind and Remove”
If you see someone not wearing a mask, please remind them that masks are mandatory. There are mask dispenser stations in RKC, Olin, Kline, Campus Center, Bito/Blum, Fisher Center, Rose/Hegeman, Fisher Arts, and Security should they need one. Then remove yourself from any situation that is unsafe or not in compliance with the required policies.

If you would like advice on how best to engage with those who are not in compliance, or would prefer an intervention from the College, please contact the Bard Cares Team at caresteam@bard.edu or Bard Security at 845-758-7460. You may also use the COVID-19 Incident Report Form to report violations of community health standards.

How will violations of community standards for health and safety be addressed?

The College has established the Bard Cares Team to address instances where students or employees are having difficulty abiding by the community norms of behavior regarding the College’s established COVID-19 protocols. The Team, chaired by Vice President and Dean of the Early Colleges Dumaine Williams, has developed a clear set of steps based in restorative practices to respond to reports seeking assistance, guidance, or a resolution of issues related to compliance with health and safety measures in the Bard community. It also seeks to equip members of the Bard community with information about bystander intervention techniques and other actions we can take to help keep each other safe and accountable. Dr. Williams and other members of the Cares Team can be reached at caresteam@bard.edu. Individuals may use the COVID-19 Incident Report Form to report violations of community health standards related to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and requirements.

How do I reach out to the Response Team? 

Any member of the Bard community is welcome to send questions or suggestions to the Response Team by email, or to attend our weekly office hours. Every Tuesday afternoon from 4 to 5pm, members of the Response Team will be available on Zoom for anyone who wants to drop by with a question. Please check your Bard email or write to the Response Team at responseteam@bard.edu for Zoom details.

Can I plan in-person activities with other members of the campus community?

Campus community members may now begin to plan small, COVID-safe in-person activities. All proposed events must adhere to COVID safety protocols as outlined in the COVID-19 Student Handbook Addendum, as well as any additional protocols needed for each specific event. Students should contact SPARC through the Office of Student Activities by emailing sparcevents@bard.edu. Employees wishing to hold events may apply by filling out the form here. 

Is the Stevenson Gym open?

The Stevenson Athletic Center and Stevenson Pool are now open to Bard students, faculty, and staff, as well as to non-remote graduate students who live on campus or in Dutchess, Columbia, Greene or Ulster counties. Reservations are required: visit bardathletics.com for access and protocols. Please note the facility remains closed to the public.

How does on-campus pick-up for Taste Budd’s Cafe work?

Taste Budd’s Cafe now has a pick-up table on campus. Patrons can pick up orders at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. seven days a week at the Bard Security Office at the Old Gym. There is no minimum order and just a $2.00 drop/delivery fee. Just add “Budd’s Bard Drop” to your cart when placing your order, and choose “pick up” (not delivery) when ordering, because you will pick up these orders at the Taste Budd's pick up table at the Old Gym. Be sure to order at least 45 minutes before 12:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. This service is only available for online orders. Visit www.TasteBudds.com and click Cafe Orders Online. Please be mindful to maintain a safe distance from others when picking up your order, which will be clearly marked with your name.

• For the 12:00 p.m. pick up, please place your orders online by 11:15 a.m. Any orders placed after 11:15 a.m. will be brought to Bard as part of the 5:00 p.m. drop-off.
• For the 5:00 p.m. pick up, please place your orders online by 4:15 p.m.

What resources are available for remote learning?

Visit the connected learning page for online course tools. You can also find robust remote resources from the Learning Commons and the Bard Library on the academic support page.

Don't hesitate to contact your academic adviser or your dean for support. Find your dean and get information about advising on the Dean of Studies website. For information about registration, academic records, and student forms, visit the Registrar's Office website.

How do I contact my dean?

First-Year Students

• For first-year students whose last names start with A-K, contact Assistant Dean of Students Darnell Pierce (dpierce@bard.edu; x7454).
• For first-year students whose last names start with L-Z, contact Assistant Dean of Studies Kaet Heupel (kheupel@bard.edu; x7454).

• For students whose last names start with A-G, contact Assistant Dean of Studies Jennifer Triplett (triplett@bard.edu, x7454).
• For students whose last names start with H-P, contact Assistant Dean of Studies Dorothy Albertini (albertin@bard.edu, x7454).
• For students whose last names start with Q-Z, contact Assistant Dean of Students Timand Bates (tbates@bard.edu, x7454).