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BCC COVID-19 Policies

As of Spring 2023 Semester

COVID-19 Policies and Resources

"Taking into consideration the changing public health landscape around COVID-19, including the anticipated end of the national public health emergency declarations, the community college presidents have decided that, after conclusion of final exams of the Spring 2023 semester, the COVID-19 vaccine requirement will be lifted. Students and employees will no longer need to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of entry, participation, or enrollment. Certain groups of students and employees may continue to have COVID-19 vaccination requirements as a condition of their clinical or external placements."

— Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC), March 2, 2023

Contact Us

Questions or concerns?

Email BCC

Policies


Student Vaccination Policy

Download BCC's Student Vaccination Policy (PDF)


Employee Vaccination Policy

Download BCC's Employee Vaccination Policy (PDF)


Forms

Below, please find a list of relevant COVID-19 forms. Select on the plus icon:


What to Do if You Tested Positive for COVID-19

Visit the CDC to learn what to do if you are sick


CDC COVID-19 Immunization Schedule

Download the CDC timeline (PDF)

Information


What to Do if You Are Sick or Caring for Someone

Visit the CDC to learn what to do if you are sick or caring for someone


What to Do if You Have Been Exposed to Someone with COVID-19

Visit the CDC to learn what to do if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19


How to Get Free CDC At-Home Tests

Learn about free at-home tests


COVID-19 Treatments and Medications

Learn about treatments and medications


CDC Contact Tracing

Learn about contact tracing


CDC Information

Read about the CDC

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, please find a list of relevant COVID-19 FAQ. Select on the plus icon:

  • Vaccine Requirement Employee FAQ (as of January 2023)

    Massachusetts Community College Vaccine Requirement — EMPLOYEE FAQ

    Do I have to be vaccinated if I am employed by Berkshire Community College?

    Yes. All full and part-time employees including faculty and staff, contract and/or hourly employees, interns, and volunteers regardless of whether work assignments are online or in-person as well as to those consultants, vendors or business/governmental invitees that have a regular presence on campus and/or routinely interact with students and/or employees, as determined by the College are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit written proof of an official record of full vaccination status.

    Certain other individuals, including consultants, vendors, and other business/governmental invitees may be required to be vaccinated. Please view the full employee vaccination policy for detail.

    What's the deadline for providing proof of my vaccination status?

    All employees must submit written proof of an official record of full vaccination status no later than Jan. 3, 2021.

    How do I provide my written proof of an official record of full vaccination?

    Complete the Vaccine Status Confirmation form. You will need a digital copy (a photo, for instance) of your official vaccination card.

    Please note that the attestation of vaccination status will not be accepted as written proof of an official record of full vaccination status.

    If I received an exemption and/or reasonable accommodation related to certain COVID-19 vaccination requirements in the fall of 2021 (e.g., clinical sites), do I now need to request a reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Employee Vaccination Policy?

    Yes, any vaccine requirements and or exclusions for fall 2021 must be requested again for spring 2021.

    Will my vaccination record be treated confidentially?

    Vaccination records will be treated in the same confidential manner as other employee records and will be stored with the employee's medical records.

    What alternatives are available to me if I am unvaccinated?

    For employees who have determined that they will not get vaccinated, the College has provided an extended notice period for those employees who submit a letter of resignation by Jan. 3, 2022 that will enable them to remain employed through Feb. 3, 2022.

    Employees who are unable to be vaccinated may request a reasonable accommodation where the College will engage in an interactive process to determine if eligible for a reasonable accommodation, and if so, whether the requested accommodation is reasonable and does not create an undue hardship to the College or direct threat to the health or safety of others in the learning and working environment, if applicable.

    In the event a reasonable accommodation is approved, employees may be subject to additional health and safety protocols and/or be excluded from campus and/or college activities including but not limited to travel for the protection of health or safety, as determined by the College in consideration of local, state, and/or or federal laws and public health guidance and/or mandates.

    If I am unable to be fully vaccinated, how do I apply for a reasonable accommodation?

    Requests for reasonable accommodation, including requests for a medical or religious exemption, will be considered consistent with applicable laws, legal guidance, and College policy.

    Reasonable accommodation requests should be submitted to the Human Resources (HR) Office. Complete the Employee Reasonable Accommodation form and sign this document — which is then submitted to HR for review.

    Please note that the individualized interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations is estimated to take a minimum of ten (10) business days following the receipt of satisfactory documentation supporting the employee's eligibility for reasonable accommodation. If you are seeking a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request and necessary documentation as soon as possible and without delay if you want your request to be considered in time by the Jan. 3, 2022 deadline.

    If I fail to provide proof that I have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, what will happen?

    Employees who fail to submit verification of full vaccination by the Jan. 3, 2022 deadline are not permitted to work either on campus or through telework or to be on campus for any purpose absent an approved reasonable accommodation.

    As applicable, employees will be placed on leave without pay for no more than 14 calendar days pending submission of the required verification or receipt and approval of an appropriately documented reasonable accommodation.

    If an employee has a reasonable accommodation request pending and/or has received an initial or subsequent dose of a vaccine but has not yet reached full vaccination status, the College will allow employees to use any accrued personal, vacation and/or compensatory time for the above period. Further, a College may extend the above period to enable an employee to reach full vaccination status if the employee has satisfactorily demonstrated that they have started the vaccination process.

    Continued failure to submit required vaccination verification, absent an approved reasonable accommodation, shall be cause for discipline up to and including termination consistent with applicable collective bargaining agreements and/or employee handbook.

    If I am not vaccinated and my employment is terminated, am I eligible to collect unemployment benefits?

    The Commonwealth's Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), not the College, makes determinations regarding unemployment benefits. According to DUA's website such determinations are made on a case by case basis but that employees should not expect to be able to collect unemployment if they are terminated for refusing the vaccine.

    What is the definition of "fully vaccinated"?

    The community colleges are following the CDC's definition of full vaccination status, which currently provides that "[i]n general, people are considered fully vaccinated:

    • 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
    • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine."

    If the CDC changes their definition at any time, the revised definition will be applicable.

    Employees should take immediate steps to schedule their vaccinations if they have not already done so and pay close attention to the type of vaccine that they receive and its timing schedule to ensure they are fully vaccinated by the Jan. 3, 2022 deadline.

    If I already had COVID, do I need to be vaccinated?

    Yes. According to the CDC, you are not considered fully vaccinated if you have had COVID but have not been vaccinated.

    How do I get vaccinated?

    Find out where you can get vaccinated in and around the Berkshires.

    Additional resources for accessing a COVID-19 vaccine include:

    Visit Vaxfinder

    COVID Mobile Vaccine Program

    More Vaccine Resources

  • Vaccine Requirement Student FAQ (as of January 2023)

    Massachusetts Community College Vaccine Requirement — STUDENT FAQ

    Do I have to be vaccinated to take classes on campus?

    If you register for courses with any on-campus component or if you plan on coming to campus in the spring — including to access the library, computer lab, athletic facilities, or other in-person student services — you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit written proof of an official record of full vaccination status.

    If you do not expect to be on campus for any reason, you are not required to be fully vaccinated or to provide written proof of an official record of full vaccination status unless it is required by your program or activity (ex. athletics, healthcare program, clinical placement).

    If, after the start of the semester, you would like to come to campus to access college services and facilities, you will be required to provide written proof of your official record of vaccination status before coming to campus.

    What's the deadline for providing proof of my vaccination status?

    The deadline to provide proof of vaccination status is Jan. 3, 2023. All students utilizing any on campus components will be required to be fully vaccinated by this date.

    How do I provide my written proof of an official record of full vaccination?

    It is important for the college to collect dates related to your vaccination status as well as an image of your official documentation. We ask that you use this link to complete the form and attach official documentation of your vaccination status. This is information will be stored in the college's official academic records and will be available to you as well if needed at a later time.

    Please note that the attestation of vaccination status will not be accepted as written proof of an official record of full vaccination status.

    If I received an exemption and/or reasonable accommodation related to certain COVID-19 vaccination requirements in previous semesters, do I now need to request a reasonable accommodation in accordance with the Student Vaccination Policy?

    Yes, any vaccine requirements and or exclusions for Fall 2021 were based on specific sub-groups of students in certain programs or activities.

    Will my vaccination record be treated confidentially?

    Vaccination records will be treated in the same confidential manner as other student records.

    Can I still register for in-person classes if I have not yet been fully vaccinated?

    BCC students are able to register at this time but are reminded of the fully vaccinated requirement date of Jan. 3, 2023 for any student utilizing any on campus components.

    If I am a high school student who is taking a College course on the College's Campus either face to face or hybrid, am I required to be fully vaccinated?

    Yes, the Student Vaccination Policy applies to you.

    If I am a high school student taking a College course taught to my class at my high school am I required to be fully vaccinated?

    If you are a high school student taking college classes at your high school and do not come to campus for class, you must follow any vaccine policies set by your school and are not subject to the college's vaccination policy. If however you are accessing the college campus for any reason, including meeting with college staff or accessing the college's library, you must show proof of full vaccination status.

    What alternatives are available to me if I am unvaccinated?

    Students who are unvaccinated may take courses with no on-campus component and access services remotely. Students may also request a reasonable accommodation where the College will engage in an interactive process to determine if the student is eligible for a reasonable accommodation, and if so, whether the requested accommodation is reasonable and does not create an undue hardship to the College or direct threat to the health or safety of others in the learning and working environment, if applicable.

    In the event a reasonable accommodation is approved, students may be subject to additional health and safety protocols and/or be excluded from campus and/or college activities including but not limited to travel for the protection of health or safety, as determined by the College in consideration of local, state, and/or or federal laws and public health guidance and/or mandates.

    If I am unable to be fully vaccinated, how do I apply for a reasonable accommodation?

    Requests for reasonable accommodation, including requests for a medical or religious exemption, will be considered consistent with applicable laws, legal guidance, and College policy.

    Reasonable accommodation requests should be submitted to the Dean of Students Office by completing this link or by delivering the printed form to the Student Engagement Center, located in the Susan B. Anthony Building, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please call our office with any questions you may have 413-236-1602.

    Please note that the individualized interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations is estimated to take a minimum of ten (10) business days following the receipt of satisfactory documentation supporting the student's eligibility for reasonable accommodation. If you are seeking a reasonable accommodation, please submit your request and necessary documentation as soon as possible and without delay so we can complete the review process before the vaccination deadline.

    If I register for in-person classes and do not submit proof of vaccination by January 2022 what will happen?

    You will not be allowed to attend class or access campus without submitting written proof of an official record of full vaccination and unless you have an approved reasonable accommodation you may be administratively withdrawn or, if possible, transferred into a class with no in-person component.

    What is the definition of "fully vaccinated"

    The community colleges are following the CDC's definition of full vaccination status, which currently provides that "[i]n general, people are considered fully vaccinated:

    • 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
    • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine."

    If the CDC changes their definition at any time, the revised definition will be applicable.

    Please pay close attention to the type of vaccine that you receive and its timing schedule to ensure you are fully vaccinated in time to register for, and attend classes, if you seek to enroll in face-to-face and/or hybrid courses or to access campus for any reason.

    If I already had COVID, do I need to be vaccinated?

    Yes. According to the CDC, you are not considered fully vaccinated if you have had COVID but have not been vaccinated.

    How do I get vaccinated?

    Get vaccination information and learn ways to become vaccinated today. Additional resources for accessing a COVID-19 vaccine include:

    Vaxfinder

    COVID-19 Mobile Vaccine Program

    Additional Vaccine Resources

Vaccine Locations

Looking for a vaccine in Berkshire County? Check out locations.

COVID-19 Testing Dashboard

Dashboard counter resets each academic semester.

This dashboard serves to inform the College community of the number of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been on campus. The College is following guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH).

7-Day Data

3

Students: Total Positive results reported

3 vs. 0 in prior 7 days

0

Faculty/Staff: Total Positive results reported

0 vs. 0 in prior 7 days

3

Total Positive Results Reported

3 vs. 0 in prior 7 days

Last updated: April 10, 2023   4:09 pm