Updates on Coronavirus

In preparation for a full in-person return to our Boston campus for the Fall 2021 semester, all students, faculty, and staff who will live, learn, and work on campus or who will participate in Fisher in-person activities must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 6, 2021.  Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose.*

Immunization against COVID-19 will allow for increased on-campus activities this fall semester and will also greatly reduce the risk of transmission. Vaccines are free and currently available to all individuals in Massachusetts at pharmacies, community centers, and various other locations.  All vaccinated MA residents are also eligible for the Vaxmillions contest: https://vaxmillionsgiveaway.com/.

The College will accept vaccines approved by the following three organizations: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Students:

• Classrooms will return to normal capacity and activities will once again take place throughout campus.
• See below for instructions for how to share your vaccine information

Faculty and Staff:

• Effective July 1st, all campus-based employees are requested to return to campus full time.  As we are preparing for a new academic year, it is important to bring the campus back to full operational vibrancy.  
• See below for instructions for how to share your vaccine information. 

*There are two permitted exemptions to Fisher’s’ COVID-19 vaccination requirement: medical exemptions and religious exemptions.  Those wishing to apply for an exemption may do so by emailing the attached form to my office.  Those whose exemptions are approved will be required to wear a mask at all times within campus buildings and complete routine testing at your own expense.

Fisher staff and faculty have spent the last few months planning for the Fall 2021 semester.  Many of our students have expressed a strong desire to return to campus, and I am pleased to confirm, Fisher plans to welcome returning students and the Class of 2025 to campus in the fall.

It is our plan to be business as usual on campus this fall, the College is working hard to create a safe environment for living and learning.  Fisher is developing policies and procedures based on information and recommendations from local and national experts.  While it is impossible to completely eliminate risk to student, faculty or staff exposure to COVID-19, we are confident that our strategy is comprehensive and informed by the best public health information currently available. Our policies and procedures will be adjusted based on new guidance. With that, the College remains vigilant and is monitoring the national and global situation. 

Fisher College has mandated the COVID-19 Vaccine for all community members. Everyone should upload their vaccination card into CoVerified or email a copy to healthservices@fisher.edu. If you need to file a medical or religious exemption you can do so by completing the appropriate exemption form.  

Below you will find an overview of our strategy and tactics to address a safe return to campus.

Fall 2021 COVID-19 Community Guidelines

If you have the CoVerified app: 

• Open the CoVerified app on your phone
• Select Report
• Select Upload Vaccine Record
• Follow the prompts and enter your vaccination information, and upload a photo of your Vaccination Card

New Students:

• Submit your vaccination record to health services with your incoming paperwork or send a copy to healthservices@fisher.edu

The college will accept vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), World Health Organization, (WHO), and the European Medicines Agency.

We require all students to have the vaccine, but if for any reason, you would not be able to be fully vaccinated by 9/06, please email healthservices@fisher.edu.

How can I get Support for Jobs and internships?

Make an appointment with Dr. John Roche in the Career center and he will help you in securing internships and career positions.

I'm a senior and need to graduate, can I still fulfil my internship requirement?

Each major has a required internship course that you can enroll in as long as you have completed IS220, which is the prerequisite for the internship course. If you have any questions about securing internships, please email Dr. Roche at the career center for any further questions. 

We will welcome students in the residence halls for Spring 2021 at a reduced capacity. Room assignments will be limited to single and double occupancy in order to allow for adequate social distancing in the residence halls. Adequate residence hall rooms will also be set aside to create necessary isolation and quarantine spaces. 

For any additional questions, email Sheila Lally, Dean of Students and Interim Director of Housing

 Dining

There will be modifications in both the dining hall and Falcons Nest on campus, including but not limited to enhanced cleaning, physical distancing for all diners, no buffet style offerings and increased grab and go options. Capacity in the dining hall will be adjusted and access may be limited at times or strictly limited to take out only.

 Student Clubs and Campus Events

Clubs and organizations will conduct meetings and events virtually. Events and club meetings will only happen in person when social distancing requirements can be met. The student center will be open, but occupancy and activities will be limited.

 Athletics

The College will follow guidance and restrictions for participation in varsity athletics when they are put forth by the NAIA, Massachusetts Department of Public Health and CDC. More details will be communicated directly to student-athletes in the coming weeks.

Quarterly Budget and Expenditures Report June 2020Quarterly Budget and Expenditures Report September 2020

Quarterly Budget and Expenditures Report December 2020

QUARTERLY BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES REPORT MARCH 2021

QUARTERLY BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES REPORT JUNE 2021

QUARTERLY BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES REPORT SEPTEMBER 2021

HEERF III: ARPA Update: August 9, 2021

HEERF III: ARPA Update: SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19, which was discovered in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

Protection measures for everyone

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. COVID-19 is still affecting mostly people in China with some outbreaks in other countries. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following: 

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Rubbing alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands. Although soap and water are ideal and preferable to alcohol-based hand sanitizers, use sanitizer if you are unable to wash your hands. 

  Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

• Maintain at least 2 metres (6 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

  Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

• If you are in public (taking a walk, going to the grocery store,) wear cloth masks covering your mouth and nose

  Why? This will help infected people who do not show symptoms protect people who are not sick. (Note: this is not a substitute for social distancing.)

• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

  Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

  Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

• Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 2 meters (6 feet) away from a person who is sick.

WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.    

The Center for Disease Control is taking this epidemic very seriously and working very hard to mitigate it by taking actions such as laboratory testing.

Learn more about the CDC's response here.  

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. About 2% of people with the disease have died. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.