Marching Forward
Fall Update - August 15, 2022
Carroll College has resumed normal campus operations. We will continue to monitor conditions throughout the fall and will use this webpage to communicate any changes to our current operating policies. The Marching Forward Plan with its three-phased approach is no longer in effect; however, it may be revisited and reimplemented if health conditions necessitate doing so in the future.
There are no mask requirements for any area on campus including classrooms, labs (with the exception of nursing labs), instructional spaces, athletic facilities, or common areas.
Students, faculty, staff, and visitors may choose and are welcome to personally wear masks for any reason. As a community we continue to respect each person’s choice and personal circumstances.
Employees have returned to in-person work unless approved to work remotely and/or an accommodation is approved through their individual departments.
Beginning with the fall semester, Carroll will no longer provide alternative isolation housing for COVID-19 positive students.
Anyone with symptoms or a positive COVID test should follow the recommendations provided by their healthcare provider, the CDC and/or local health authority, such as Lewis & Clark Public Health.
Vaccinations and boosters are available throughout the Helena community.
Practice common sense health and safety measures – wash your hands often, monitor your health, and stay home if sick.
Vaccinations (Free local vaccination clinics)
To provide the best protection for yourself and the community, please strongly consider getting vaccinated and boosted.
There are multiple vaccination opportunities in the Helena community. One of the most convenient for our students is the CVS pharmacy just across Benton Avenue in the Lundy Center. Follow this link for information.
For additional vaccination opportunities in Helena, please visit the Lewis and Clark County vaccine distribution page.
Remember to bring:
- Photo ID
- Your insurance card
- Your CDC vaccination card if it is your 2nd dose or 1st, 2nd, or 3rd booster
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, contact your healthcare provider or our Wellness Center.
For informational purposes, this link provides vaccination rates and cases by state.
Testing (COVID testing for students, faculty, and staff)
Carroll will not have testing on campus this semester.
However, there is testing available throughout the Helena community, please visit the Lewis and Clark County vaccine and testing locations page. Please note that while in the past COVID testing had been free, there may be a charge for testing now.
We also strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to take advantage of the offer provided by the federal government to have eight (8) free rapid antigen tests mailed to your home or school address to have on hand if needed. The tests take approximately two weeks to arrive once you fill out the simple form at www.covidtests.gov. If you currently have a supply of the tests, please note that the expiration dates of many of the tests have been extended 3, 6, or 12 months. You can check the shelf life of a variety of tests at this FDA link.
If you have a Carroll-sponsored health insurance plan, your insurance will pay you back for eight (8) at-home rapid antigen tests each month for each person on your plan. These test kits should be available at CVS and Walgreens. Additional information for Carroll College employees on the BCBS plan can be found here. Many other insurance companies have similar coverage for COVID-19 testing, so please check with your provider if you are interested in obtaining additional tests. Learn more.
Masks (Required only in nursing labs)
There are no mask requirements for any area on campus including classrooms, labs (with the exception of nursing labs), instructional spaces, athletic facilities, or common areas. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors may choose and are welcome to personally wear masks for any reason and as a community we continue to respect each person’s choice and personal circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our most commonly asked questions by expanding the categories below:
Q: Where can I get a vaccine?
A: There are multiple vaccination opportunities in the Helena community. One of the most convenient for our students is the CVS pharmacy just across Benton Avenue in the Lundy Center. Follow this link for information. For additional vaccination opportunities in Helena, please visit the Lewis and Clark County vaccine distribution page.
Q: Is Carroll requiring the vaccine?
A: While Carroll is not mandating the vaccine for students as a condition of attendance, we strongly recommend that all students and members of the campus community get the vaccine while it is free and widely available. More people vaccinated will keep our campus community safer and means fewer chances for the virus to spread.
Q: Who should I contact if I have questions about the vaccine?
A: Information about the COVID-19 vaccines is published on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Other questions dealing with your unique health situation should be directed to your healthcare provider. If you are a student, you can contact the Wellness Center.
Q: Will testing be available on campus?
A: Carroll will not have testing on campus this semester. However, there are various locations in Helena which provide COVID-19 testing. Please note that there may now be a cost associated with testing. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Locations map on the Lewis & Clark Public Health COVID-19 Hub for locations.
We also encourage all students, faculty and staff take advantage of the offer provided by the federal government to have eight (8) free rapid antigen tests mailed to your home or school address to have on hand if needed at www.covidtests.gov.
Q: What if I feel ill or test positive for COVID-19?
A: We recommend that anyone who feels ill or tests positive for COVID-19, use the Quarantine and Isolation Calculator on the CDC website. This tool will provide guidance on how long it is recommended that individuals quarantine and isolate based on their individual circumstances. If the tool is being updated and/or unavailable, guidance can be found on the CDC’s “What to Do If You Are Sick” webpage.
Based on CDC guidance, Carroll will no longer track and monitor students who are either COVID positive or a close contact, yet we strongly encourage individuals to follow the guidance for quarantine and isolation provided by the CDC. We also recommend that any students who test positive and have symptoms reach out to their healthcare provider or the Wellness Center, if necessary.
In addition, beginning with the fall semester, Carroll will no longer provide alternative isolation housing for COVID-19 positive students.
If a student tests positive and lives on campus, we strongly encourage that the student limit their exposure to others by staying in their residence hall room for the recommended period of time (see the CDC calculator and guidance.). We recognize this presents a challenge with roommates so if a student has the ability to travel home or isolate off-campus, we recommend they do so.
Tips to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while you're isolating in the residence halls:
- Wear a mask.
Limit face-to-face interactions.
Open windows for ventilation.
Wash your hands often.
Avoid common areas.
Have friends or roommates deliver your meals to you.
If you live off campus, stay home and avoid others, and follow the CDC's recommended guidelines for isolation.
Students who are self-isolating should contact their faculty and/or coaches immediately to inform them of their situation.
Q: Are face masks required at Carroll?
A: Masks are not required anywhere on campus with the exception of the nursing labs.
Marching Forward Plan
The Carroll College Marching Forward Plan was a phased approach of policies and protocols that served as a guide for the college as we continued our valued mission of providing a safe, in-person educational experience for our students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plan is no longer in effect as of June 2022. However, the Marching Forward Plan with its three-phased approach may be revisited and reimplemented if health conditions necessitate doing so in the future.
What you should do to keep Carroll College safe:
Campus Updates
Contacts:
- General Information: covid19@carroll.edu
- Academic Advising: advising@carroll.edu
- IT Help Desk: WebHelpDesk@carroll.edu, 406-447-4357
- Wellness Center: krigsby@carroll.edu, 406-447-5441
- Residential Life: studentlife@carroll.edu, 406-447-5457
- Human Resources: jbingham@carroll.edu, 406-447-5502