FAQs
June 2, 2021: For current information about Rosemont College’s plan to keep the campus community safe from COVID-19, please visit here.
General FAQs
Q: What is Rosemont 2020-2021?
A: Rosemont 2020-2021 is the operational plan for Rosemont College campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of Rosemont 2020-2021 is to safeguard the health of every member of the community while effectively carrying out the College’s mission.
Q: Do I need to wear a mask on campus?
A: Masks are required on campus. Masks, or other appropriate face coverings, must be worn indoors and outdoors on campus, except when students are in their own residence hall rooms or employees are in their own offices without others around them. Masks may be removed during meals. Masks will be provided to all students, employees, and campus guests.
Q: Why does my temperature need to be taken when I enter campus?
A: A temperature and wellness check will be required of all people entering campus to help prevent those with COVID-19 or other communicable diseases from entering campus and infecting others. Public Safety will conduct the checks, ensuring the privacy of all students, faculty, staff, and guests.
Q: How is campus being cleaned and sanitized?
A: Rosemont is engaging its facilities partner, Aramark, to undertake a deep cleaning process in all of its facilities prior to their being reoccupied. This process first thoroughly cleans the facilities to eliminate all organic and biological materials, then disinfects these spaces with EPA approved disinfectants to eliminate viral pathogens.
After facilities are repopulated, the College’s facilities partner will maintain an enhanced cleaning protocol, using EPA registered disinfectants and substantially increased rotations to assure ongoing maintenance. Quality control will be assured through the use of fluorescent markers to allow tracking of all cleaned surfaces, and high-touch areas will be repeatedly wiped using an agent proven to minimize viruses with limited contact time requirements.
Additionally, hand sanitizer stations are being placed near the entrance of each building on campus. Staff members will be cleaning and sanitizing their individual office spaces daily. Computer labs will be equipped with disinfectant wipes, with users required to wipe down the keyboards, mice, and work areas both before and after use. Read More.
Q: How many people can be in classroom or other spaces on campus?
A: Based on the CDC’s guidelines of 36 square feet per person in an indoor space, the College has determined the maximum occupancy for all spaces on campus. Signs will be placed in every classroom and other spaces to indicate maximum capacity.
Q: How will food be served?
A: The Dining Hall and the Ravens’ Nest will be open with reduced seating, and social distancing in place. Students will “self-swipe” to enter their student ID information for their meal plans, rather than interface with an attendant.
The self-service points that have been in place in the dining facility, such as the salad bar, bagel bar, ice cream bar, and other buffets, will be replaced either with full-service alternatives or pre-packaged replacements. Grab and go and carry-out options will also be expanded.
Logistically, traffic flow in and through the dining areas will be more strictly controlled, and the use of prepackaged and disposable flatware, plates, and cups will replace those that need to be washed. Read More.
Q: What do I do if I feel sick or have a fever?
A: If you feel ill or have a fever while on campus, isolate yourself from others and call the Wellness Center or another healthcare professional. Please inform your Residence Hall Advisor or the Dean of Students. If you are off-campus, please do not return to campus until you have consulted with a medical professional and have been cleared to reenter.
Undergraduate College FAQ
Q: What is Two Terms, One Focus?
A: Two Terms, One Focus is our dynamic plan for the Undergraduate College Fall 2020 semester and Spring 2021 semester. All courses in the Undergraduate College will be divided into two terms (I and II), with students schedules evenly distributed over the course of the semester. The semester will still be treated as an integral whole, with students taking the same courses as previously planned. The only difference is that students will be able to Focus on fewer courses at a time. A few courses by necessity will run for the entire semester.
Q: Will anything be different about the courses in Two Terms, One Focus?
A: All courses will be “hybrid,” which means they will have an online component, including classes taught on campus. This will allow our faculty to combine in-classroom lectures with our state-of-the-art online platform, Canvas, and ensure the best educational experience possible. For the spring semester, each class will have 2 synchronous class meetings per week.
Q: What are some of the other benefits of Two Terms, One Focus
A: Two Terms, One Focus has many benefits for our Undergraduate College students: While it is our firm intention to begin the Fall semester with in-person classes on campus, we all know that the possibility exists that a resurgence of the virus and/or mandates of Governor Wolf may necessitate a return to online course delivery. Dividing the semester into two terms will allow for a much easier transition and educational experience for our students should the need arise to change any plans or mode of course delivery.
Including an online component for every course will also allow us to serve any Rosemont students who are unable to come to campus, either because of compromising heath conditions, or caring for a family member, since they will be able to participate in classes via one of our “smart” classrooms. For the spring, 2021 semester, students who wish to be fully online for their classes, will complete an online form indicating their desire to do so.
Most important of all, dividing the semester into two Terms means that students will be taking fewer courses at a time, and therefore be able to concentrate and Focus on the material they are studying. In addition, since faculty will also be teaching fewer courses at a time, they will be able to continue to give the personal attention for which Rosemont is known to our students, regardless of whether we are on campus or online.
Q: Will the Undergraduate College have a Fall Break or Spring Break?
A: There will be no Fall Break or Spring Break. Each Term will have “Reading Days” between the end of classes and final exams. Residence Halls will remain open, and students will be encouraged to remain on campus to avoid exposure to the coronavirus or other contagious disease that may be circulating in other regions.
Q: How will registration work?
A: For the fall semester, 2020 students who have already registered will be given their schedules, divided into two Terms.
For the spring, 2021 semester students will preregister for Term#1 and Term#2 beginning in early November. The pre-registration schedules will clearly indicate which courses are for Term#1 and which are for Term#2.
Registration will reopen the week before classes resume in January for students to make final adjustments to their schedules.
Q: What if I have a question about my schedule?
A: Students who have any questions about their schedules should contact their Advisors, along with the Student Academic Success Center: SASC@rosemont.edu.
Q: How will Add/Drop Period work?
A: All changes to the entire Fall Schedule (Terms I and II) must be completed by August 31st. For the spring semester Term#1, Add/Drop will end on Thursday, January21st; for Term#2, Add/Drop will end on March 17th.
Q: What does the calendar for Two Terms, One Focus look like? When do classes begin and end?
A: All classes of the Undergraduate College will begin on August 24. First Year Connection Classes and Writing Seminars for First Year Students scheduled during Term I will meet in-person on-campus for the 50-minute synchronous time, other classes will take place fully online until September 11. Starting September 14, all courses continue according to the hybrid schedule of Two Terms, One Focus.
Upper-class students of the Undergraduate College will participate in classes remotely from August 24 to September 11. Residential upper-class students will move onto campus on September 12 and 13, and will begin in-person classes on campus on September 14, following the hybrid schedule of Two Terms, One Focus.
In-person instruction will end on November 24th, just before the Thanksgiving Break. Students will complete their final week of courses and exams online.
Fall Term I
- August 24th (Mon) Classes begin (see above)
- September 7th (Mon) No Classes
- September 15th Midterm Grades due
- October 5-9th Heritage Week
- October 9th Last Day of Class
- October 10th & 11th Reading Days
- October 12-14th Final Exams
- October 15-18th Advising Days
- October 21st Final Grades Due
Fall Term II
- October 19th Classes begin
- November 10th Midterm Grades Due
- November 24th Last Day of In-Person Instruction
- November 30th – December 4th Online Course Delivery
- December 7th (Mon) Last Day of Fall II
- December 8th & 9th (Tues & Wed) Reading Days (Remote)
- December 10th, 11th, 12th Online Final Exams
- December 16th (Fri) final Grades Due
Spring Term I
- January 19 (Tuesday) Classes begin
- January 21 (Thursday) Add/Drop ends
- March 8 (Monday) Last Day of Classes
- March 9 (Tuesday) Reading Day
- March 10-12 (Wed – Fri) Final Exams
Spring Term II
- March 15 (Monday) Classes begin
- March 17 (Wednesday) Add/Drop ends
- April 2 (Friday) Easter Break
- April 30 (Friday) Last Day of Classes
- May 1-2 (Sat – Sun) Reading Days
- May 3-5 (Mon – Wed) Final Exams
Q: Why is Term II ending before Thanksgiving? Will I need to leave campus?
A: By ending in-person instruction the week of Thanksgiving Break and completing instruction and exams online, we are reducing the risk that the coronavirus will be brought back to campus and spread by students who may be exposed while traveling. All Residence Halls will close at 6 pm on November 24. The final week of courses and final exams will be online for the Undergraduate College.
Q: Will Two Terms, One Focus impact my progress toward graduation?
A: Absolutely not! All courses will still be 3-4 credits. While 12 credits per semester are necessary for full-time status, it is recommended that students take at least 15 credits to keep on track toward graduation. The fall 2020 semester will still allow for that since registration will remain the same. Students will also have the opportunity to take classes during the winter session running from December 15th to mid-January.
Q: Will there be Fall or Spring sports?
A: The Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Board of Directors announced that intercollegiate competition will be suspended for the Fall semester as member institutions seek to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and our communities. Read more. We expect an announcement about the Spring season shortly.
Q: Are students allowed to have guests on campus?
A: Our Campus Guest Policy has been modified for the Fall semester. (See HERE for the full policy.) Students are permitted to designate one family member who may visit during the Fall semester. All visits by the designated family member must be scheduled in advance through the Office of Residence Life. Family members should be designated no later than August 31 via www.rosemont.edu/Rosemont2020. Students will be encouraged to minimize their interactions with others off-campus.
Q: Is the Community Center Fitness Center open?
A: The Fitness Center is open. Social distancing must be observed, and all equipment must be wiped down after use with the wipes onsite. Frequent cleaning and sanitizing of the Center will be done by Facilities. Reservations are required to use the Fitness Center. Online Registration Link
School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Q: Does Two Terms, One Focus, impact the School of Graduate & Professional Studies?
A: No. The Two Terms will only be in place for the Undergraduate College. Graduate courses will remain in the 14-week format, and Professional Studies courses will continue as scheduled in 7-week terms. All classes of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies will be online for the Fall and Spring Semesters.
Faculty & Staff FAQ
Q: Who determines who will work on campus and who will work from home? What about work schedules?
A: Supervisors of each department will determine work schedules, as well as what work must be completed on campus and what responsibilities may be carried out remotely.
Q: Will masks be provided?
A: Yes, all employees will be provided two fabric masks for use on campus. Additional masks may be purchased. Masks are required on campus. Masks, or other appropriate face coverings, must be worn indoors and outdoors on campus, except when students are in their own residence hall rooms or employees are in their own offices without others around them.
Q: Can meetings be held on campus?
Meetings can be held on campus, as long as the maximum capacity of the meeting space is not exceeded, and social distancing can be maintained. Signs will be placed in every classroom and other spaces to indicate maximum capacity.