USM Statement on Fall 2022 Semester and COVID-19 Safety Protocols Baltimore, Md. (April 18, 2022) – Despite recent, localized increases in COVID-19 cases due to the more contagious—but less severe—BA.2 variant, federal and state public health authorities have begun to transition their disease response from a pandemic to an endemic phase of infection. Our universities have responded effectively throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: Systemwide, vaccination rates among students, faculty, and staff are high, and disease positivity rates are low. Protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff remains our priority. Therefore, we continue to strive for highly vaccinated campuses. As we enter this next phase of endemic disease, we strongly encourage all USM students, faculty, and staff, unless exempted, to be fully vaccinated and up to date on all available booster shots when eligible so that our university communities are well positioned to remain safe and healthy during the fall 2022 semester. We will continue to collect and analyze the latest COVID-19 data and public health policy developments, so that our institutions have access to the most current information as they make decisions regarding campus COVID protocols going forward. The USM looks forward to a healthy and productive fall semester. # # #
