COVID Updates

While COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory at this time, all members of the campus community are required to provide their vaccination status to the appropriate offices. Students click on this link to submit your vaccination status information to the Julia Church Health Center. Staff and Faculty, use this link to submit your vaccination status to Human Resources.

Starting July 2, the Dean of Students Office is holding weekly drawings for a range of prizes. To be eligible to win, students must submit the COVID-19 Vaccine Status Form and their vaccination status must be verified by the College. Just by entering the drawing, students who are vaccinated will receive $10 in Terrier Cash. Prizes will include scholarships, free books, free meals throughout the fall 2021 semester, and more.

Do I need to provide a copy of my vaccine card to Hiram? Will this information be shared with others?

To get an accurate baseline of the percentage of community members that are vaccinated, we are requesting that vaccine cards be submitted. The College will not disclose this information nor are you required to discuss your vaccination status if asked to do so informally. 

Why will vaccinated individuals be permitted to be unmasked, not physically distanced, and not required to participate in testing?

Multiple studies conducted and/or evaluated by the CDC verified the reliability of the three COVID-19 vaccines: Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer. Studies show that vaccinated individuals are at low risk of being infected or transmitting the virus, so they are safe to resume normal activities unless in crowded places.

I know Hiram College is not currently requiring the COVID-19 vaccine, but will it be required in the future?

Current COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized by the FDA on an Emergency Use Authorization, which allows pharmaceutical manufacturers to develop lifesaving vaccines during a public health crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Should the FDA approve a COVID-19 vaccine — granting it permanent status beyond that of the Emergency Use Authorization — the College would add it to the list of vaccines that are required of students. The only permitted exceptions to the vaccine will be for health conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs.

Who can I talk to if I have concerns about getting vaccinated?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been overwhelming for many, so it is understandable that some will have concerns about vaccinations or simply need more information. The staff of the Health Center have been closely following this public health crisis since the onset and, as our campus medical professionals, have a high comfort level with addressing questions, listening to concerns, and can provide the most accurate and updated information to help you make an informed decision. If you’d like to make an appointment to speak confidentially with a staff member, please contact the Dean of Students Office at 330.569.5233 or email deanofstudents@hiram.edu.

 Which vaccine should I get? Where can I go to get vaccinated? What is the cost?

Vaccinations are free.  If you have not yet been vaccinated but would like to receive the vaccine,  Hiram College Health Center currently offers the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The Vaccine Management Solution from the Ohio Department of Health can help you book an appointment with a vaccination clinic in your area. In addition, you can use Rite Aid’s COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment Scheduler to book an appointment with the Rite Aid near campus (10764 North Street, Garrettsville, OH 44231), or you can select the Rite Aid closest to you. For information on the COVID-19 vaccines and their effectiveness, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage about the COVID-19 vaccine.

We are excited to welcome everyone to campus in just a few short weeks! Before we do, the College is putting precautionary measures in place to keep our campus community as safe as possible. Proven by our success last year, we know that we will decrease the spread of COVID-19 amid the Delta variant surge, while also continuing the personal interactions enjoyed last spring.

Temporary Indoor Masking Required from August 10 – September 10

In addition to the orange alert level, ALL members of the campus community will be required to wear face coverings when inside public areas regardless of vaccination status. This includes classrooms, the library, the Kennedy Center, the dining hall when not eating, public areas in residence halls, etc. We are taking this temporary precaution during the arrival period so that we can safely establish our community bubble.

See the COVID-19 Section of the Student Handbook 2021-2022 for more information.

Guests are welcome to visit campus for admission tours, office visits and other events.

Temporary Indoor Masking Required from August 10 – September 10

Temporarily indoor face coverings will be required from August 10 – September 10 for ALL members and guests of the campus community regardless of vaccination status. This includes classrooms, the library, the Kennedy Center, the dining hall when not eating, public areas in residence halls, etc. We are taking this temporary precaution during the arrival period so that we can safely establish our community bubble.

There is no mask requirement while outside on campus.

To maintain the health and safety of our community, guests visiting the Office of Admission will receive a sympton screening upon arrival.

Temporary Indoor Masking Required from August 10 – September 10

In addition to the orange alert level, ALL members of the campus community will be required to wear face coverings when inside public areas regardless of vaccination status. This includes classrooms, the library, the Kennedy Center, the dining hall when not eating, public areas in residence halls, etc. We are taking this temporary precaution during the arrival period so that we can safely establish our community bubble.

Faculty and staff members who are not vaccinated have been asked to continue to wear masks at outdoor gatherings, unless they can maintain an appropriate social distance.

Hiram College signed and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education the Funding Certification and Agreement to receive the funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The College intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. Therefore, for the purpose of these emergency financial aid grants, we have received $2,556,641 from the U.S. Department of Education. 

To determine which students receive these grants, we identified students with the highest need of emergency financial aid as those who were displaced from on-campus residence and needed alternative housing. To determine the amount, we developed a rubric to score those eligible students on housing displacement, economic need, academic standing, and grade point average. Depending on the score, students could receive an amount ranging from $500 to $1200. This rubric aligned with the regulations under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As a result, at this time we have thus far distributed a total of $1,027,975 in emergency financial aid grants to 870 students. To carry out this distribution process, the College provided clear guidance to all students receiving an emergency financial aid grant. This included: notifying students of their awards via email, including the amount and how the payments would be processed; generating checks; and mailing those checks to their addresses on record with the college.

Download June ’21 Report

Download Mar. ’21 Report

Student athletes will follow the NCAA Division III, NCAC, and Hiram College Athletics health and safety plan in affect at that time.

More information will be provided as the NCAA Division III and NCAC provide guidelines for COVID-19 protocols for student-athletes and guest attendance at events.

H – HAND WASH OFTEN

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%-95% alcohol.

In addition, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus and cause illness.

Click here for more information from the CDC

I – INCREASE CLEANING AND SANITIZING EFFORTS

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning product. Cleaning surfaces once a day is usually enough to keep your space disinfected. Consider cleaning your desk, room, electronics and other high-touch surfaces regularly.

Click here for more information from the CDC

R – REMAIN SIX FEET APART TO DECREASE THE SPREAD OF INFECTION

Since COVID-19 spread occurs through close and prolonged contact with someone else infected with the virus, the CDC suggests distancing yourself from others when possible. Even if another person does not appear sick, social distancing is a simple precaution to prevent illness.

Click here for more information from the CDC

A – ALWAYS STAY HOME IN YOU ARE SICK

Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Similar to the common cold and influenza, common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. The CDC believes that symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or up to 14 days after exposure.

If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention.

Click here for more information from the CDC

M – MASK ACCORDING TO CDC GUIDELINES

Wearing a mask is another simple precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The CDC advises wearing a well-fitting mask over the mouth and nose.

Click here for more information from the CDC