Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The health of the UMB community is a top priority for the Graduate School. This site will be updated with resources and communications for the Graduate School community. You are advised to check the UMB COVID-19 Site for the latest information about the outbreak, measures implemented to reduce its spread, and the impact on travel and other activities.

Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19

This section will be updated periodically with information pertaining to current and future students, Graduate School operations and events.

I've already received my vaccine. How do I report this to the university? ▾

Incoming and returning students who have received their vaccine may use the UMB Vaccination Form to report the details of their vaccination. This will be convenient if booster shots are issued in the future for COVID-19 variants.

Additional reporting requests will be expected closer to the start of the fall term.

We are transitioning for students to use the UMB SAFE on Campus email monitoring system to report test results. What does that mean for current students on campus? ▾

Existing guidelines are still in place for requiring a test on file, including coming to campus for the first time and having possible COVID-19 exposure.

If you are required to upload a test in the future, here is what you do:

For students who have yet to submit or are waiting on results for tests conducted prior to Oct. 5, 2020, you should upload your COVID-19 test results into CastleBranch.
For all tests conducted on Oct. 5, 2020, or later, students should upload their test results into the secure, confidential, and HIPAA-compliant UMB SAFE on Campus (SAFE) daily symptom monitoring form that you already receive.
If you are on a pause from the SAFE form, upload your test by using the Episodic Symptom Monitoring Report Form. For those not receiving SAFE emails, please bookmark this link in case you need to come to campus or upload a test in the future.

The move to SAFE will help to address technology challenges experienced by some students using CastleBranch. SAFE will also allow for the collection of daily symptom monitoring and COVID-19 test results in one location.

If you are required to get an additional COVID test, you will be notified by UMB or the Graduate School.

Mandatory COVID-19 Testing ▾

1. EXPECTATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE: All on-campus University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) students [1] are expected to be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, effective Aug. 16, 2021. Students will be considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after receiving a one-dose vaccine.

2. EXEMPTIONS: A student may be exempted from the Vaccination Protocol if: 1) the student submits documentation from the student’s health care provider indicating that the student is medically unable to be vaccinated; or 2) the student has a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance that does not allow for the student to be vaccinated. Students receiving an exemption from the Vaccination Protocol will be required to follow safety requirements for nonvaccinated individuals as set forth by University Health and consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. Failure to follow safety requirements set forth for nonvaccinated individuals (medical, religious, or otherwise) will subject a student to disciplinary action.

With respect specifically to religious exemptions, a religious exemption request must be written and signed by the student on a form supplied by UMB and must state that the student objects to immunization due to a “sincerely held religious belief.” The statement must address the following:

The student must explain in their own words why they are requesting this religious exemption; and
The student must indicate whether they are opposed to all immunizations, and if not, the religious belief that prohibits COVID-19 immunizations.

Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to immunization do not justify an exemption. Students may be required to provide additional information regarding their exemption eligibility if requested by UMB.

3. EXEMPTION PROCESS: UMB has a Vaccine Exemption Process by which students may submit requests electronically through a secure, online portal.

4. PROOF OF VACCINATION: Students have the option to either: 1) sign a waiver so that UMB receives confirmation of vaccination directly from the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP), which is the repository of vaccination information for the state of Maryland, for vaccinations received in Maryland; or 2) upload a copy of their CDC-approved vaccine card. Proof of being fully vaccinated must be provided by Aug. 2, 2021 (or in the case of schools with later start dates, 14 days prior to the first day of classes).

5. CONSEQUENCES: The consequences for a student not being vaccinated without having an approved medical/religious exemption are as follows:

a. No student is permitted to come onto UMB’s campus unless they have received at least one vaccine dose by Friday, Aug. 20, 2021 (or five days after the start of classes, whichever is later), and they must have received their second dose by Friday, Sept. 24, 2021 (or five weeks after the start of classes, whichever is later). Students should talk to their Student Affairs Dean or Admissions Department about a leave of absence or enrollment options if the student fails to meet these requirements. (NOTE: Students will not be provided an online curriculum where one is not already offered.)

• Consistent with other immunization requirements, failure to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination will result in a registration hold being placed on the student’s account.

b. Any student who has not provided proof of vaccination by the deadline in Paragraph 4 will be contacted by their Student Affairs Dean.

• The Student Affairs Dean will consider whether special circumstances exist that prevented the student from receiving the vaccine or filing an exemption by the timeline set forth above (e.g., insufficient time between the date of admission and the start date of classes; lack of access to vaccine; international students whose travel to the United States was delayed). Failing to file a timely application for a medical or religious exemption, on its own, is not a specific circumstance warranting particular review.

• Where extraordinary circumstances exist, as determined by the relevant Student Affairs Dean in consultation with the relevant Dean and the Provost’s Office, the student will be granted an extension of time to become vaccinated or receive an approved medical/religious exemption.

c. Students who are not yet fully vaccinated are required to follow safety requirements for nonvaccinated individuals as set forth by University Health (consistent with CDC and OSHA guidelines). Failure to follow safety requirements set forth for nonvaccinated individuals will subject a student to disciplinary action.

[1] An on-campus student includes any student whose courses or student-related activities are performed in whole or in part on the UMB campus, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Donaldson Brown Riverfront Event Center, Columbus Center, UM BioPark, and other Maryland satellite offices. This also includes UMB students who attend the Universities at Shady Grove. Students engaged in clinical or field site activities should note that external sites may have stricter vaccine rules than UMB. Being unvaccinated may impact the ability of a student to participate in activities at those external sites. Failure to complete the clinical or experiential portion of a student’s education requirements will impact their ability to graduate.

COVID-19 Vaccination Protocol: UMB Faculty and Staff

1. EXPECTATION AND EFFECTIVE DATE: All University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) on-campus employees [1] are expected to be “fully vaccinated” against COVID-19, effective Aug. 16, 2021. Employees will be considered “fully vaccinated” two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after receiving a one-dose vaccine.

2. EXEMPTIONS: An employee may be exempted from the Vaccination Protocol if: 1) the employee submits documentation from the employee’s health care provider indicating that the employee is medically unable to be vaccinated or 2) the employee has a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance that does not allow for the employee to be vaccinated. Employees receiving an exemption from the Vaccination Protocol will be required to follow safety requirements for nonvaccinated individuals as set forth by University Health consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. Failure to follow safety requirements set forth for nonvaccinated individuals (medical, religious, or otherwise) will subject an employee to appropriate discipline.

With respect specifically to religious exemptions, a religious exemption request must be written and signed by the employee on a form supplied by UMB and must state that the employee objects to immunization due to a “sincerely held religious belief.” The statement must address the following:

• The employee must explain in their own words why they are requesting this religious exemption; and

• The employee must indicate whether they are opposed to all immunizations, and if not, the religious belief that prohibits COVID-19 immunizations.

Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to immunization do not justify an exemption. Employees may be required to provide additional information regarding their exemption eligibility if requested by UMB.

3. EXEMPTION PROCESS: UMB has a Vaccine Exemption Process by which employees may submit requests electronically through a secure and confidential online portal. Human Resource Services (HRS) will assist employees who are not able to use the electronic process.

4. PROOF OF VACCINATION: Employees have the option to either: 1) sign a waiver so that UMB receives confirmation of vaccination directly from the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP), which is the repository of vaccination information for the state of Maryland, for individuals vaccinated in Maryland; or 2) upload a copy of their CDC-approved vaccine card. HRS will assist any employees who request assistance to upload the vaccine card. Proof of vaccination will be kept separate from employee personnel files and shared only with individuals with a legitimate need-to-know and permitted by law.

5. CONSEQUENCES: The consequences for not being vaccinated without having an approved medical/religious exemption are as follows:

a. Such employee will be required to follow safety requirements for nonvaccinated individuals as set forth by University Health (consistent with CDC and OSHA guidelines). Failure to follow safety requirements set forth for nonvaccinated individuals will subject an employee to appropriate discipline.

b. Such employee will be given a document detailing the risks to themselves and others of not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

c. Such employee will be required to participate in an educational program discussing the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations and the risk of not being vaccinated.

d. Written reprimand for failure to follow this COVID-19 Vaccination Protocol will be placed in the employee’s personnel file (but will be expunged and not used in any further/progressive discipline upon proof of vaccination).

e. Such staff employee will receive a “Below Standards” rating on the Safety section of next year’s Performance Development Program (PDP) evaluation (but can be avoided upon proof of vaccination). Such faculty employee will receive a “Below Standards” notation in a safety category of the faculty member’s comparable annual review (but can be avoided upon proof of vaccination).

f. Such employee may not be approved for the discretionary programs of telework and will not be approved for University-sponsored travel including grant-funded travel (but both may be approved upon proof of vaccination).

NOTE: With the exception of (a), the above consequences will not apply to an employee who has received an exemption to the Vaccination Protocol.

[1] An on-campus employee includes any employee whose job is performed in whole or in part on the UMB campus, Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Donaldson Brown Riverfront Event Center, Columbus Center, UM BioPark, and other Maryland satellite offices. This also includes UMB employees whose jobs are performed at the Universities at Shady Grove.

I'm a graduate student and have encountered unexpected emergency expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Can I apply for financial assistance through the Student Emergency Fund? ▾

The Student Emergency Fund (SEF) was established to support students who have unexpected emergency expenses, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis, such as illness, medical emergency, or the need for housing, food or transportation. I am proud to say that in the face of these challenges, the Graduate School has pulled together and is meeting each and every challenge with grit and determination.

We encourage you to apply by filling out the online application link listed below and provide documentation of the financial hardship that you are experiencing.

Please note that the SEF awards cannot be used to cover any of the following expenses:

Tuition, lab fees, health insurance
Parking tickets and other university-imposed fines
Costs for entertainment, recreation, non-emergency travel

Request will be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine applicants’ eligibility and an interview may be required (on-line or via phone call) with a representative from the Graduate School as well.

The Graduate School has developed a Pass/Fail option for all spring 2020 courses that continue after March 22, 2020. What are the requirements and guidelines to apply? ▾

Recognizing that our students’ lives have been significantly disrupted by COVID-19, we have developed a option in which students will be able to opt-in to Pass/Fail grading on a course-by-course basis with permission of their Graduate Program Director (GPD), course director and the Graduate School.

The deadline to request Pass/Fail grading is April 24th.

Review the guidelines for the Pass/Fail Grading Option.

Has COVID-19 delayed or changed daily Graduate School operations? ▾

To the fullest extent possible, admissions, enrollment and registration, grade acquisition & posting, and student progression-related, and degree certification activities and functions will continue through the mandatory telework time period. Some activities and processes may slow down and take longer to complete - and there will be postal mail delays - but otherwise we hope and expect to provide our full, normal support.

I am scheduled to defend my dissertation or thesis in the upcoming weeks. How do I proceed? ▾

The Graduate School fully supports your successful completion of your degree program including your upcoming defense.

All defending students will establish a method for videoconferencing (examples include WebEx, Zoom or Skype) the open presentation portion of the defense and defense exam.
All committee members may participate remotely in defenses.
If the conferencing technology fails and the examiner can not fully participate, the committee may fail to reach its quorum. In this case, the examination must be rescheduled.
The Report of Examining Committee will be sent to the Graduate School Dean's Representative in advance of the defense.
All committee members are encourage to sign the document electronically.
Student will submit the form to the Graduate School within 48 hours.

Recent recommendations and policies regarding COVID-19 require modifications to previously established Procedures for Examination of the Master's Thesis and Procedures for Examination of the Doctoral Dissertation.

I am applying to the fall semester, but my GRE or TOEFL test has been cancelled due to the closing of testing centers. Am I still able to apply? ▾

ETS has introduced a solution for students who have been impacted by the coronavirus to take the TOEFL iBT® test and the GRE® General Test at home until test centers can reopen. TOEFL® testing is scheduled to begin on March 26, and GRE testing will begin on March 27.

Testing will be conducted through the use of live remote proctoring serviced by ProctorU®. This high-touch, real-time human monitoring of test sessions limits the number of seats available. Students can register beginning today in the following countries: