This information is provided to students when it is determined that they must follow isolation protocols at UMass Amherst.
Dear student,
This is a COVID-19 public health notice that provides instructions and information on what to and don’t do when you are isolated. It is the university’s expectation that you read the information, follow the guidelines listed here, and ask questions if you have any.
You need to isolate (separate) from other people because you have been diagnosed with a confirmed case of infection with the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) from 2019 or because you were at high risk for COVID-19 and now have symptoms. They are considered contagious and can transmit COVID-19 to people around you and make them sick. Because of this, you will not be able to stay in your assigned residence on campus. Instead, you will be provided with a designated isolation room.
You must remain in isolation until the UMass Amherst Public Health Team notifies you that you can leave your isolated residence. For most patients, this period of isolation required is approximately 10 days, but may be longer if symptoms persist.
The UMass Amherst Public Health Promotion Center will assist you with isolation and guide you through wellness calls or your symptom monitoring reports that you submit to the Health Hub. You are expected to respond to their calls. Please save your number (413-577-8888) to ensure you can answer her call and call her back if you miss a call.
Please note that during times with a high number of cases and contacts, our team will prioritize notifications and calls on symptomatic cases. If you develop any symptoms please call Public Health Nurses – (413) 577-5498 8am to 8pm daily or the UHS COVID hotline at (413) 577-5128 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you live on campus::
You have to move temporarily designated campus isolation house according to the instructions of the public health team. While in isolation, you are only allowed to leave your room to go to the bathroom or attend to medical needs. You must use face covering and social distancing at all times when out of the room. You can only return to your dorm room after 10 days with approval from the Public Health Team.
If you live off campus and enter quarantine accommodation on campus:
You have agreed to isolate in facilities on campus. While in isolation, you are only allowed to leave the room to attend to medical needs. You must always use face covering and practice social distancing when out of the room. You are only allowed to Check out of the room with the approval of the Public Health Team after a period of 10 days or when moving to secure off-campus accommodation.
Prepare for isolation
- Get yours Quarantine kit. This should contain as many items as you need for 10 days. Remember to bring phone and computer chargers, medicines, academic work materials, toiletries, and clothing with you. You will need bed linen for most of the isolation accommodations on campus.
- Make a communication plan with your friends and family. We recommend connecting with friends or family remotely using Zoom or FaceTime.
- Make a plan for getting as far as possible to your off-campus quarantine locationUnder no circumstances should you take public transit, carpooling (e.g. Uber or Lyft), or taxis.
While in isolation, these instructions should be followed:
Leave your intended isolation housing only for medical emergencies. If you have a medical emergency, Call 911 and let them know what kind of problem you are having and that you are in quarantine. If you need non-emergency health care, public health nurses are available to help. Please call them at (413) 577-5498. The Public Health Nurses will also help you schedule a telemedicine appointment with one University Health Service (UHS) provider.
Please monitor your health and take your temperature twice a day. A thermometer will be provided for you if you don’t have one. You will receive wellness calls from members of the public health team. Make sure to report your temperature and any symptoms.
You are not allowed to have visitors for any reason. Do not meet with other people who are in quarantine during this time. You have to leave your quarantine room. Maintain a social distance of at least two meters between you and other people and always wear face covering when outside your room.
Please monitor your health and take your temperature twice a day. A thermometer will be provided for you if you don’t have one. Make sure that you follow your temperature and any symptoms to that UMass Amherst Public Health Team during wellness calls or using the wellness check form in the Health Hub.
Practice good hygiene: when coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and throw the tissue into a lined waste bin. Then wash your hands. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds each time you wash.
Notify Your Faculty / Instructor: Perform your academic duties and communicate with your faculty about the academic flexibility or support you may need. If you have a personal class, you should inform your faculty as soon as possible of your inability to attend classes. Your faculty member can request documents to give you an excused absence. You will receive a restriction notice to your UMass email account. If you need other documents, you can request them during your wellness calls or by email quarantine@umass.edu. If you are registered with Disability Services and have accommodations, you should contact their office with any questions or concerns about your accommodations.
How long do you have to follow these instructions?
You must remain in isolation for at least 10 days, but this may take longer depending on your symptoms. The UMass Amherst Public Health Team will contact you to determine when your isolation period will end.
On campus quarantine housing and meals
- While you are in quarantine, you are responsible for cleaning your own room and bathroom. Cleaning supplies are provided if you don’t have your own. Let the isolation and quarantine coordinators know if you need cleaning supplies.
- You are not allowed to have visitors for any reason. We recommend connecting with friends or family remotely using Zoom or FaceTime. Do not meet with other people who are in quarantine during this time. You have to leave your quarantine room. Maintain a social distance of at least two meters between you and other people and always wear face covering when outside your room.
Meals will be delivered to your room on campus
- You will receive 4 meals a day during your isolation. Meals are delivered to your door:
- Breakfast between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
- Lunch between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.
- Dinner between 5pm and 6pm
- Late snack between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- On the day of arrival, the isolation and quarantine coordinators will help you order your first meals. You will then register Here Then download the Kinetica TouchandTell app to order future meals to be delivered to your doorstep. Please note: Orders must be placed by 5:00 p.m. the day before. If you have any questions about this process or need help, please contact Restaurant service at the quarantinemeals@umass.edu.
Health and wellbeing
University Health Service
Phone: 413-577-5000
If you need non-emergency health care, public health nurses are available to help. Please call them at (413) 577-5498. The Public Health Nurses will also help you schedule a telemedicine appointment with one University Health Service (UHS) provider.
Center for Counseling and Mental Health (CCPH)
Phone: 413-545-2337
On-call duty, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In non-life threatening situations, please call (413) 545-2337 and follow the instructions to reach our doctor on call. For life threatening emergencies, dial 911 or call UMPD: (413) 545-3111 while on campus.
The Center for Counseling and Mental Health (CCPH) offers a Care community to UMass Amherst students to manage stress or anxiety, find strategies to overcome challenges, promote mental wellbeing, and succeed in college life and beyond. CCPH offers a variety of services including Crisis intervention, Individual therapy, let’s talk, as well as Groups and workshops (Check out Connections in quarantine).
Campus recreation
Campus Recreation offers a variety of remote and on-demand group fitness as well as esports events.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Epidemiologist on call: (617) 983-6800 (7 days a week / 24 hours a day)
Academic
Learning Resource Center E-mail: lrc@umass.edu
The Learning Resource Center (LRC) serves as the central academic support unit for students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst). Peer Tutors, Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders, and ExSEL Leaders are exemplary students trained to help their peers achieve academic success.
Writing center
The Writing Center works with students at every stage of the writing process: brainstorming and structuring, providing feedback on a draft, developing revision strategies, learning to copy, editing your own work, and much more. The well-trained and experienced tutors can meet with authors online at video conferences. Book an online appointment with one of the tutors today.
Student Success Toolkit Series
Discover your strengths with Student Success employees, get to know strategies, tools and resources and reflect on your personal toolkit for virtual learning success! These are 45-50 minute interactive Management & Prioritization sessions, Time management & prioritization and Tips for virtual learning and time management are relieved on zoom and You get the zoom link for the session after registration.
Academic Dean
Support services
Dean of Studies
227 Whitmore Administration Building
Phone: 413-545-2684
Application and referral form for student support
Disability Services Office
161 Whitmore
Phone: 413-545-0892
UMass Amherst Center for Public Health Promotion
UMass Amherst Public Health Team- (413) 577-8888
Public Health Nurses – (413) 577-5498
You can be reached at (413) 577-5498, Sunday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Isolation and quarantine coordinators– (413) 577-6072 or quarantine@umass.edu
Monday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday – Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
