Student Conduct Policies

For the health and well-being of our unique community, St. Mary’s College of Maryland may create campus standards that are tighter than CDC guidelines and/or state orders. If there appears to be a conflict between the College’s policies and regulations and those recommended/mandated by the Federal and/or State government, the student should exercise the more stringent guidance until clarification is made.

SMCM expects community members to adhere to the SMCM policies and may initiate an investigation and/or the Student Conduct process if reports of alleged violations are received. Immediate, temporary actions may be taken to maintain the health of the campus community while an investigation and/or Conduct process occurs. The following, if violated, are subject to disciplinary action, as provided for in the Student Handbook, “To the Point,” Code: A. Violation of published College policies, rules and regulations.

These policies cover student or student organization misconduct which occurs on College premises, contiguous properties, or which arises out of College-sponsored activities off the College premises, including study abroad, or which disrupts or endangers the College community, the College’s responsibilities, or its pursuit of its objectives, or which poses a threat to the safety and well-being of any individual. The following apply to all students, whether remote, residential, or commuters.

Face Coverings

Following guidance from the St. Mary’s County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of face coverings can potentially slow the spread of COVID-19 by preventing people who may have the virus but are asymptomatic from transmitting it to others.

• Students must wear face coverings, this includes in buildings, grounds, classrooms, shared laboratory areas, conference rooms, elevators, hallways, etc. Face coverings must cover the mouth and nose at all times, except when eating, or alone in a private room or private vehicle.
• Students who cannot wear a protective mask due to a medical issue, like trouble breathing or the inability to remove the cover without assistance, should contact Accessibility Services for accommodations.

Social Distancing Rules

• Maintain at least six feet of social distance from others whenever possible.
• Follow any signage or instruction regarding the use of common spaces, hallways, or pathways.
• Report locations or examples of social distancing congestion to the Office of Public Safety to assist with identifying potential problem areas by calling 240-895-4911 or by using the CampusShield app.
• Hosting a gathering that violates social distancing and is not conducive to CDC guidelines will result in the removal from campus housing and require the student to finish the semester via remote learning.

General Health and Hygiene Rules/Face covering guidelines

• Refrain from visiting campus or facilities whenever you are sick or have symptoms of respiratory illness.
• Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds, preferably with soap and warm water, particularly after coming into contact with high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, handrails, and commonly used equipment.
• Cough/sneeze into sleeves, preferably into the elbow. When using a tissue, discard it properly and clean/sanitize hands immediately.
• Avoid touching your face — particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth — with your hands to prevent infection.

Students who arrive to attend SMCM from abroad or out-of-state are required to self-quarantine in their on- or off-campus residence for 14 days upon arrival.

Students should use a digital thermometer daily to track any rises in temperature prior to a fever being detected.

Students should notify the Wellness Center if they have tested positive for COVID-19, have been directed to quarantine, or, after recovering from a positive COVID-19 test, are returning to campus. These students must provide documentation from a medical provider and complete the SMCM Daily Symptom Check Survey before returning to campus.

Minimize Exposure

Exercise caution per public health guidelines when leaving campus.

• Students should exercise caution when procuring food. Curb-side delivery, delivery, take-out, and drive-through orders are recommended, while maintaining social distance and wearing face coverings.
• Students may participate in fitness activities off-campus when appropriate social distance is maintained and face coverings are worn indoors and/or with others.

Gatherings

Comply with gathering policies. Report noncompliance to the Office of Public Safety by calling 240-895-4911 or by using the CampusShield app.

• Indoor and outdoor gatherings, on-campus or off-campus, where social distancing cannot be maintained, are prohibited.
• Indoor gathering group sizes are limited to room capacity posted on facility signage, room furniture setup, and/or specific numbers provided for residential spaces. If occupancy numbers are not posted, the number of persons who can occupy the space shall not exceed that needed to maintain a social distance between attendees. Furniture should not be rearranged.
• Outdoor on-campus gathering group sizes are limited to capacity posted on the grounds. If occupancy numbers are not posted, the number of persons who can occupy the space shall not exceed that needed to maintain a social distance between attendees. Outdoor on-campus gatherings are not allowed between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
  • Lewis Quad – 75
  • Admissions Lawn – 200
  • Townhouse Green – 175
  • Pillow – 20
  • Jamie L. Roberts Stadium practice fields – 220
  • Waring Commons West – 80
  • Waring Commons East – 30

If You Have COVID-19 Symptoms

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, call the Wellness Center (240-895-4289) to arrange for testing on campus or testing through the St. Mary’s County Health Department at St. Mary’s Hospital.

• While residential students are awaiting their test results, they must self-isolate in designated on-campus housing.
• Commuter students should remain at home pending the test results.
• You’ve been asked to Quarantine/Isolate, what happens now?

Contact Tracing

Testing for any community member will initiate an investigation of direct contacts. Plans have been developed to both support the student and their direct contacts (who will be placed in quarantine) while awaiting results or should the results be positive for COVID-19. Positive cases will be communicated to the campus in a manner consistent with federal and state guidelines.

St. Mary’s College will continue to work with the St. Mary’s County Health Department and make the determination to shift to a non-residential experience should that become necessary.

Cooperate fully with the College’s self-isolation, contact tracing, and notification protocols, in alignment with the St. Mary’s County County Health Department.