FAQs for students and families

1. Residential students may visit fellow residential students. Both the hosts and visiting residential students must wear protective cloth masks during the duration of the visit.
2. Until further notice, no off-campus visitors are permitted in university residences, including commuters and student family members.
3. Residential student visitors cannot have had COVID-19 symptoms nor been exposed to someone with the virus within two weeks prior to the visit.
4. Residential student visitors must remain a Falcon Wingspan apart and should not share furniture together with another person at the same time (futons, couches, chairs, room beds, etc.). Furniture should be cleaned and disinfected immediately after use.
5. Residential student visitors are not permitted to be in floor lounges.
6. No floor bathroom use by residential student visitors. Residential student visitors may use the public restrooms located in the main building spaces.
7. There is a maximum limit of three individuals in a traditional residence hall single or double room; four individuals in a traditional residence hall triple room.
8. Residents in apartments are limited to three additional residential visitors at a time with the ability to maintain a Falcon Wingspan apart. As always, no visitation in bedrooms by the opposite sex.
9. Each special interest house will be provided with a maximum occupancy related to residential student visitors.
10. Resident assistants are considered essential personnel and will perform walking rounds throughout floors and buildings, per usual, but wearing protective cloth masks as they do. Adjustments may be made as necessary for health and safety reasons. Other authorized campus employees will also be permitted access to residential spaces on an as-needed basis with health and safety requirements in place.

Read Messiah's parameters for off-campus church attendance

It is safest for Messiah’s campus community if only students and employees are physically on campus during the fall semester. And until further notice, no off-campus visitors are permitted inside university residences, including commuters and student family members. However, if it is necessary for an off-campus family member to connect with their student, they may do so outside, i.e., they may not be inside of a campus building, and must wear a mask and socially distance from those outside of their family group at all times. Family members are asked NOT to come to campus, however, if they exhibit any of the symptoms of COVID-19, are confirmed positive with COVID-19, or have been in close direct contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19.

The University requests that this not happen until futher notice. It is much safer, if necessary, for family members to connect, bring supplies, take-out meals, etc., to students versus taking them off-campus (following the above outdoor visitation parameters). As part of the Community Promise they signed prior to the start of the academic year, residential students agreed not to leave and return to campus unless absolutely critical. This greatly reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19 to the campus community. Allowances have been made for crucial off-campus jobs, internships, clinicals, practicums, etc., if students’ employers are following Messiah’s guidelines for COVID-19 health and safety, including requiring masks and social distancing. Messiah has also provided students with parameters for off-campus church attendance. We greatly appreciate family members’ support and cooperation in helping us to protect our campus community in this way.

1. Enhanced face-to-face (F2F); Lecture-based classroom
   This version of course delivery looks and feels very much like a traditional lecture classroom, but includes synchronous participation from remote students.  Classroom technology makes it possible for remote students to hear and see at least the most critical elements of the classroom presentation/discussion and to interact with the instructor or peers.  Course pedagogy is generally the same as it would be for a traditional lecture course delivery.
2. Enhanced face-to-face (F2F); Activity-based classroom
   This version of flexible course delivery makes use of what some call a “flipped classroom” pedagogy.  Direct instruction is generally asynchronous and moved in advance of the class hour and delivered via recorded mini-lectures, focused readings, or brief “primer” assignments.  The class time is then devoted to activities such as problem solving, discussions, reviewing paper drafts, etc.
3. HyFlex
   The HyFlex strategy effectively blends elements from the two prior course delivery strategies to provide options for the student and for content delivery.  Students who can attend class F2F do so, while students who cannot attend the physical classroom time can participate either synchronously or asynchronously using materials available online that are functionally equivalent in content and rigor with what will be done in the classroom. While this option provides flexibility, it also entails significant investment in and changes to course design, preparation, and delivery. 
4. Online
   A small percentage of courses may be identified by the institution as needing to be delivered entirely online.  While this will not be the norm, this will a supported modality in that limited number of cases.  For courses or sections that will be delivered entirely online, the university will work with the faculty member to set up the course in a standard online format with a template that is compatible with the templates designed for the three faculty options above.

1. Residential Student: The residential student resides in campus housing and participates in the on-campus and in-person educational experience.  While this residential and academic experience will have necessary modifications for health and safety, in-person attendance in academic courses and campus activities (within safety and health constraints) will be the expectation and the norm.
2. Commuter Student: The commuter student resides off campus locally (within 50 miles of Messiah University) and must fulfill one of the following criteria: living with a parent(s) or immediate family member(s), is married, is over 23 years old, or is classified as having independent status by the Office of Financial Aid. While there will be necessary modifications to campus life for health and safety reasons, in-person attendance in academic courses and campus activities (within safety and health constraints) will be the expectation and the norm.
3. Fully Remote Student: The fully remote student resides off campus for the duration of the fall semester and does not travel to campus for academic courses or campus life activities.  The student regularly participates in courses with the expectation of regular remote attendance in synchronous course sessions.  A student who begins the fall as a Residential Student or a Commuter Student may, with approval, make a one-time decision to switch to “Fully Remote Student.” Once a student chooses this option, that status will be maintained for the duration of the semester.  The student may not switch from Fully Remote to either of the other two categories during the semester.

All those services will be available to students.  Information on accessing them may be found here on the Office of Student Success website. 

Murray library will be open for students and employees only.  The group study spaces will be set up to meet socially distancing guidelines.  Operational hours will be posted.

Where feasible furniture has been set up to allow for social distancing.  New room capacities are posted in each space.  In situations where 6-foot spacing is not feasible, such as in, laboratories or studios such as film that require closer proximity, increased PPE, such as glasses/goggles, lab coats, and gloves will be used. In addition, some professional organizations in these areas have published recommendations for mitigating risk that can be incorporated as well.

Faculty are working with the various agencies to ensure that placements are made.   You can contact your advisor directly for details related to your particular situation.

Read more about off-campus placements

Yes, within safety guidelines.  Events will be live-streamed and where possible there will be a small audience.  Rehearsal will take place in a socially distance setting.

Read more about perfomances

Read more about off-campus guest attendance

The Bookstore is set up for online ordering.  All books must be purchased online; the Textbook Annex will not be open for in person shopping. You are encouraged to order your books early and have them mailed home.  If you cannot ship them home, there will be a pick up location at the Annex to pick up books.

The Division of Student Success and Engagement is providing undergraduate students with a meaningful, modified offering of cocurricular programs, services and facilities designed to protect their health and safety during the challenging circumstances of COVID-19. 

Read an overview of how Messiah University will facilitate counseling services, chapel and campus ministries, athletics (including access to the fitness center and gyms), academic support services and career and professional development for students.

Students who voluntarily make the switch from residential to fully remote will be reimbursed based on the dates set for our withdrawal students. Generally, it is a monthly percentage reduction from the start of the semester until February 25, 2021, which is the last day for a student to switch from residential to fully remote and still receive a partial housing adjustment to their bill. 

  For students with dining dollar meal plans, any unused dining dollars will be credited to their fall 2021 bill, and the operations charge is nonrefundable. For students with ala carte plans, any remaining ala carte balances will be credited to their fall 2021 bill.  It is important to note that changes to remote-only status after February 25, 2021 will not result in room or board credits.

Questions regarding this policy, or an individual student’s account, may be directed to Student Financial Services at studentfinsvcs@messiah.edu or 717.691.6004. 

If government or public health directives would prevent Messiah from starting its spring semester as planned for a residential, in-person educational experience, the University’s senior administration would review and consider issuing credit to students for room and board.

If a forced-close would happen after reopening campus, residential students would be required to move out of their housing assignment unless approved due to extenuating circumstances. This will likely be true as well for students living in Oakwood Hills, though there is a possibility that more students would be allowed to remain there unless there is a statewide Pennsylvania public health crisis. 

Any university calendar adjustments during this challenging time have been made, and will continue to be made, specifically with the needs and safety of our students, their hometown communities, and the greater Messiah community in mind.  

Commuter Student Services will continue to operate out of the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Programs located on the upper level of the Larsen Student Union. Prior to the start of the semester, commuter students will receive an email with start-of-the-semester information for both returning students and incoming new and transfer students.

The Charles Frey Commuter Lounge located in the lower level of Mountain View Residence Hall will remain open, but with a reduced maximum occupancy due to COVID-19 health and safety parameters. To create additional space for commuter students, the rear, lower level of Hostetter Chapel will function as an annex to the Commuter Lounge. Details about the use of both spaces will be communicated via email and during orientation (for new and transfer commuters). Commuter parking remains unchanged.

• Classrooms will have sanitation spray and wipes so students and faculty can wipe down space between uses.
• Reduced amount of employees and students allowed in campus vehicles
• Campus water fountains will be temporarily turned off in compliance with PA Department of Health
• Hand sanitizer will be placed at building entrances
• Cleaning supplies will be available on each campus building floor
• Increased HVAC coil/duct cleaning and filter changing 
• Installation of Plexiglas shields at main interaction points where six feet of distance is not feasible

Yes, students may work off campus if their employer is following CDC best practices for COVID-19 safety, i.e., wearing masks, social distancing, appropriate hygiene precautions, etc.

Messiah is offering on-campus student employment program this year. Your workstudy supervisor will reach out to you as you return to campus to work through the details of your work/position.

Each department will be communicating directly to you regarding this schedule.

Read Messiah FAQs regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

Yes, all Messiah students and employees are expected to consistently wear masks. A reusable, washable cloth mask will be provided to all community members in August. Everyone is also expected to acquire their own additional masks so that masks can be maintained in a clean and useful fashion. Note: bandanas and scarves are not acceptable for masks. Community members may choose to wear a face shield instead of a mask (face shields are the only alternatives permissible instead of masks). Additionally the College will provide disposable masks in areas where routinely applying a new mask may be most appropriate.

Yes, all students and all employees who are on campus will take their temperature at least daily. Employees need to record their temperature before coming to work (no more than one hour before reporting to campus). This is to be recorded daily on the Falcon Health COVID-19 Check In app, which is accessible from the FalconLink portal.

Read FAQs re: Falcon Health screening process

Yes, the Engle Center is prepared to reduce the risk of exposure by facilitating a telehealth option for students.  The Engle Center will utilize Doxy.me, a free and secure telemedicine solution to provide our patients with synchronous remote visits when an in-person visit is not feasible, practical or safe.

Messiah students also now have access to FalconCare, which provides free, 24/7 access to the following services anywhere in the United States, 365 days a year. To create your account or start a visit, just go to messiah.edu/falconcare and click Sign In at the top right.

• Medical: On-demand access to a medical provider that can treat a wide range of common illnesses like cold and flu, sinus infection, allergies and more
• TalkNow: On-demand access to a mental health professional to talk about anything at anytime
• Scheduled Counseling: Scheduled options to speak to a licensed counselor
• Health Coaching: Access to a nutritional specialist to help students adopt healthier lifestyle behaviors related to sleep issues, weight management and more.

Summary of Messiah's COVID-19 testing plan for spring semester 2021:

• Prior to arrival: All residential and commuter students were asked to self-quarantine for 10 days prior to the start of the semester. All on-campus students are also required to provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test prior to arrival on campus.
• On-campus students will participate in a mix of asymptomatic full population testing and asymptomatic population sampling testing throughout the semester, as coordinated by the University.
• Once on campus, all students will use the daily FalconLink check-in procedure to register their temperatures and presence of symptoms with the Engle Center.
• Symptomatic individuals or individuals with known exposure to a confirmed positive case will be tested and housed in quarantine while awaiting test results.
• The University uses a combination of point-of-care (POC) testing, and/or external lab testing based on a student's individual situation, symptoms or exposure. 

The University is closely following the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) Guidelines. For those who test positive, we contact the DOH immediately according to HIPPA guidelines, and follow the appropriate contact tracing and notification protocols.

Read the University's full COVID-19 health and safety protocols. 

Yes, isolation will be utilized for patients who need to be truly isolated, i.e., those who are COVID positive or are presumed positive (awaiting test results). Those in quarantine would be those who need to monitor symptoms. On-campus isolation and quarantine housing for undergraduate students has been identified (Smith Apartments A/B and Climenhaga Homestead) and will be staffed for monitoring if ill students take residence. Messiah also has option for additional off-campus, but campus-sponsored housing at Oakwood Hills apartments, located on the edge of campus. Isolation and quarantine for commuter and on-campus graduate students will occur in their regular residences.

Watch the video

Quarantine and Isolation Care FAQs

Messiah University has reserved numerous on-campus apartments in Smith Residence, and several private rooms in the Climenhaga Homestead dedicated as space for isolated or quarantined students. Depending on the specific circumstances and medical factors involved that determine how many students can be in one space together, this yields an approximate on-campus occupancy range of 28-70.

Messiah also has access to additional apartments at Oakwood Hills, the university-affiliated apartment complex adjacent to campus. And, Messiah has a scalable arrangement to contract additional private room space as needed for students in partnership with a national hotel brand located near campus. Messiah continues to secure appropriate space to provide isolation and quarantine housing for students who need it. Having access to this additional off-campus space contributes to our resourcing and ability to remain open for an on-campus educational and residential experience.

There is not a simple specific number the University can provide because there are a variety of integrated and changing factors involved. Messiah has a senior administrative team, called the Integration and Response Team, which provides ongoing leadership to the University’s response to COVID-19. This group has developed parameters that would guide Messiah’s ability to remain open at various residency capacities for an in-person educational experience. Those parameters include integrated, changing factors such as the number of positive on-campus cases, occupancy levels of available quarantine and isolation space, employee positivity and absence rate, testing capacity, PPE supplies, COVID-19 cases in the surrounding region, etc. This team daily monitors all of these factors as they relate to each other, and the impact on the University’s operations. If Messiah were to begin to approach these levels, we would clearly and quickly communicate any necessary changes to Messiah’s residential or educational experience directly to student and parents.

The safest public health protocol for a student who needs to self-quarantine or isolate (due to suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID-19) is to remain in campus housing so as not to risk spreading the virus further outside of the campus community. The University is prepared to care for and support students in this way. However, if the student and their parent/guardian prefer that the student self-quarantine or isolate from home, they are able to do so. This decision would just need to be facilitated and communicated through the University’s Engle Health Center.

Commuter students would isloate or quarantine at home for the required period of time.