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COVID Updates

Updates from the Hiram Hill – Summer 2021

As part of Hiram’s strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we strongly recommend that all members of the campus community get vaccinated. As the number of fully vaccinated faculty, staff and students on campus increases, we improve our chances of achieving community immunity, as suggested by state and national health organizations.

While we understand that individuals may have medical or other exemptions from receiving the vaccine, it is our hope that as many members of the community as possible will be fully vaccinated by the start of the fall semester. By meeting the thresholds needed for community immunity, we will be able to resume in-person gatherings, reduce the need for social distancing, and largely see the “return to normal” that we have been working toward this past year.

COVID-19 vaccinations decrease the potential for serious illness, hospitalization, and death. If a vaccinated individual tests positive for a COVID-19 infection, it is likely that they will experience mild or no symptoms.

Vaccines are known as acquired immunity, which means that the approved vaccines are not a live virus. It is not possible to contract the disease from the vaccine, but instead build the antibodies in the immune system that are needed to fight future exposure. Vaccines are the best way to stop the spread of existing variants and to prevent new ones from emerging.

For more information on Hiram’s testing and confirmed cases, click here to view the COVID-19 Dashboard.

For students:

While the COVID-19 vaccination is not currently mandatory, all students are required to provide their vaccination status to the Julia Church Health Center by Monday, August 2. This form must be completed by each student before they will be permitted to move into the residence halls or attend classes and activities.

Submit your vaccination status.

For faculty and staff:

All faculty and staff and required to submit their vaccination status by Monday, August 2.

Submit your vaccination status.

Starting July 2, the Dean of Students Office will hold 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, 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.
Hiram is committed to providing a positive and engaging residential experience in as safe a way as possible. Safety precautions have been in place throughout the past academic year to maintain a healthy campus for students.

See the Summer 2021: COVID-19 Campus Policies for information on the summer residential experience as well as use of dining and workout facilities.
Guests are welcome to visit campus for admission tours, office visits and other events. We are currently asking that guests who not fully vaccinated to continue to wear masks while indoors. 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 temperature screen upon arrival.
At this time, there is no mask requirement for faculty and staff members if fully vaccinated. Faculty and staff members who are not vaccinated have been asked to continue to wear masks indoors and at outdoor gatherings, unless they can maintain an appropriate social distance.

See the Summer 2021: COVID-19 Campus Policies for additional information, including the use of dining and workout facilities.
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
Consistent with current Hiram College campus policy, and recommendations by the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hiram College camps will adhere to the following guidelines for the 2021 summer camp season.

For outdoor camps, social distancing when not engaged in activity is still the expectation. There will be no masking requirement for campers or staff, unless the group is called together to congregate in a small or enclosed space. Spectators to camp will be expected to follow Hiram College policy, which allows for no masking outdoors as long as social distance is maintained from campers and staff. Portable restroom facilities will be used for outdoor camps, and anyone entering a building for restroom usage – or otherwise – is expected to mask while indoors if not full vaccinated.

For indoor camps, campers will be required to mask when not engaged in activity and unable to socially distance. Visitors or spectators to indoor camps are strongly discouraged. If a visitor must enter Hiram College facilities during camp, masking is the expectation for anyone not fully vaccinated.

If campers or camp staff exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, they should not attend camp until a negative COVID-19 test result has been produced. Refunds for camp withdrawals or cancellations will be handled per policy of the specific camp attended.
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

Further Questions

Health questions can be directed to the Julia Church Health Center at 330.569.5418. Parents and students seeking additional information should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 330.569.5233. Hiram College employees with work-related questions should call Human Resources at 330.569.5109. Additional information about the coronavirus can be found on the Ohio Department of Health website.