Marching Forward
Spring Semester Update - March 13, 2022
Carroll College continues to adjust policies based on the current trends and risk levels of COVID-19 in our community and state. The CDC and Lewis & Clark Public Health now utilize a new Community Level tool which provides guidance based on a wider variety of data points including recent case counts, weekly hospital admissions, and current hospital bed occupancy. Based on this guidance and current recommended precautions, the following protocols are now in place on campus:
Beginning March 21, masks are optional in instructional spaces such as classrooms and laboratories and in meetings with professors and college staff, with some exceptions. Individual faculty and staff members may continue to require masks in their classrooms, labs, and offices, with students expected to follow those policies.
The Wellness Center is no longer providing PCR saliva testing. However, for a limited time while supplies last, self-administered rapid antigen tests are available through the Wellness Center.
Isolation protocols continue to be in effect based on CDC and LCPH guidance.
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 booster
If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, contact your healthcare provider, our Wellness Center, or we can put you in touch with several of our Carroll College Board of Trustee members who are physicians in the Helena community.
For informational purposes, this link provides vaccination rates and cases by state.
Testing (COVID testing for students, faculty, and staff)
The Wellness Center is no longer providing PCR saliva testing. However, for a limited time while supplies last, self-administered rapid antigen tests are available through the Wellness Center. To acquire a test, visit the Wellness Center between the hours of 9 am-12 pm or 1 pm-4 pm, Monday – Friday. The tests are simple to self-administer and results are available within 15 minutes.
Our student-athletes continue to undergo PCR testing through the athletic training staff as is required by their respective athletic conferences. If you are required to obtain a date-stamped PCR test as part of an academic class or college-sponsored activity, please work with the course professor or advisor to schedule a test with the athletic training staff.
There is also free testing available throughout the Helena community, please visit the Lewis and Clark County vaccine and testing locations page.
In addition, we strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to take advantage of the offer provided by the federal government to have four (4) 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 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 (Masks optional in instructional settings and meetings beginning March 21)
Masks will be optional in instructional spaces such as classrooms and laboratories and in meetings with professors and college staff beginning March 21, with some possible exceptions. Individual faculty and staff members may continue to require masks in their classrooms, labs, and offices, with students expected to follow those policies.
While we have used transmission rates as a benchmark in the past, the CDC and Lewis & Clark Public Health now utilize a new Community Level tool which provides guidance based on a wider variety of data points including recent case counts, weekly hospital admissions, and current hospital bed occupancy. Based on these metrics, as of March 11, Lewis & Clark County is now at the “low” level for precautions.
The county’s guidance for precautions at this level include:
Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
Get tested if you have symptoms
These are our mitigation protocols as they stand today and are subject to change at any point. We will continue to monitor the situation as well as recommendations of our local, state and federal health professionals in determining our best courses of action in keeping our community safe, healthy, open and in-person.
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: What type of testing method is Carroll using?
A: While supplies last, the college is providing self-administered rapid antigen tests through the Wellness Center for all students, faculty and staff.
The college is continuing to use the saliva testing method administered through the athletic training staff for student-athletes and those required to obtain a date-stamped PCR test as part of an academic class or college-sponsored activity. SalivaDirect, developed by the Yale School of Public Health, is easier to administer, provides faster results, and is comparable in accuracy to nasal swab tests. Test results are available in 24 to 48 hours.
This protocol is intended for the collection of the normal saliva that naturally pools into the mouth. No coughing or sniffing prior to sample collection is required. Water should be avoided 10 minutes prior to collection. Other drinks, food, and nasal sprays should be avoided for 30 minutes before sample collection.
Q: Will testing be available throughout the semester?
A: As of mid-February, the Wellness Center is no longer providing PCR saliva testing. However, for a limited time while supplies last, self-administered rapid antigen tests will be available through the Wellness Center. To acquire a test, visit the Wellness Center between the hours of 9 am-12 pm or 1 pm-4 pm, Monday – Friday. The tests are simple to self-administer and results are available within 15 minutes.
Our student-athletes will continue to undergo PCR testing through the athletic training staff as is required by their respective athletic conferences. If you are required to obtain a date-stamped PCR test as part of an academic class or college-sponsored activity, please work with the course professor or advisor to schedule a test with the athletic training staff.
There are also various locations in Helena which provide COVID-19 testing. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Locations map on the Lewis & Clark Public Health COVID-19 Hub for locations.
Q: Are face masks required at Carroll?
A: We are moving to a mask optional environment beginning March 21 in classrooms and labs and in meetings with faculty and staff (some exceptions may exist).
Marching Forward Plan
The Carroll College Marching Forward Plan is a phased approach of policies and protocols that serve as a guide for the college as we continue our valued mission of providing a safe, in-person educational experience for our students.
We have all learned a great deal about managing COVID-19 during the past two years, and we are implementing new procedures and protocols based on what we have learned as well as where we stand currently in regards to COVID-19 and public health. Students, staff, and faculty following the established guidelines and caring for each other led to a successful in-person 2020-21 academic year and fall 2021 semester and we are confident that we can continue this throughout this spring. With vaccines widely available, on-campus and community testing, and following general health guidelines, we feel well prepared to create an effective plan to help students achieve their educational goals.
STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
What you should do to keep Carroll College safe:
Prevalence Report:
Due to very low case numbers in the community, Carroll College is suspending the weekly prevalence report.
Please note:
- Numbers reflect faculty, staff, and students.
- The "current active cases" number may be lower than the "new COVID-19 case(s)” because there may be “new cases" that were identified in the last 7 days who have already completed their 5 day required isolation subsequently they are no longer considered an "active case."
- All individuals have received guidance and assistance regarding proper isolation protocols and are in contact with healthcare professionals.
- Due to federal regulations, we will not be providing any information beyond the number of new and active cases.
- This report will be updated each Friday during the semester by 1 p.m.
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