Press release from Mars Hill University:
As the opening day of classes for the fall 2021 semester approaches on August 30, Mars Hill University continues to take steps to keep students, employees, and visitors healthy and safe. The university is urging students, staff, and faculty to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with a goal of having at least 75 percent of all students and employees vaccinated by the beginning of the semester.
In light of current CDC guidance, consultation with MAHEC, area transmission rates which are currently classified by the CDC as high, and confirmed vaccination rates on campus, Mars Hill University is continuing its policy that all campus faculty, staff, students, and guests, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a face covering when indoors and around others. Normal exceptions will continue to apply, such as when eating or when students are in their personal residence hall rooms.
As students arrive to check-in to their residence halls, they must present confirmation of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. The university will provide tests for those who cannot confirm a negative test result. Mars Hill has scheduled three on-campus vaccination clinics for those who have not been able to start or complete the vaccination process while away from campus. The first of those was held August 16, with the others scheduled for August 25 and 30, the arrival dates for first-year and new transfer students, and for continuing students, respectively.
Classes for the fall semester will be held in-person, but the university is continuing to use a schedule which divides the semester into two blocks. The block system, which allows for smaller classes and better social distancing, is one of several measures Mars Hill utilized last year to limit the number of on-campus coronavirus cases. Classes for the first block begin Monday, August 30, and run through Friday, October 15. Following fall break, second block classes begin Wednesday, October 20, and run through Friday, December 10. Mars Hill’s August and December graduates will be recognized at commencement on Friday, December 17.
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