City & State Public Health Metrics
Note:While many public health metrics will be monitored, not all will be part of MICA's formal operational mode decisionmaking.
(See All Operational Modes for more info.)
Current Campus Operational Mode
3
WELCOME BACK!
The spring semester is here and MICA is opening under Operational Mode 3. That means a limited number of students will be on campus and in the residence halls. So we've developed a series of Quick Guides for some of the things you'll likely encounter or need to know while on campus.
Campus Access & Engagements
All classes will be online/remote with limited access to on-campus resources for students. Depending on the individual program and department, and no reduction in operational mode, there may be highly limited opportunities for curricular and co-curricular on-campus engagements. A reduced number of residence hall spaces are available and all students can apply to live on campus.
Broadly, limited access is defined as the following:
Graduate students and undergraduate seniors
will have access to their studios or assigned workspaces, and will be supported through limited access to shops and facilities as determined by shop capacities and their individual programs.
All other students (FYE, sophomores, juniors)
will have access to on-campus curbside-pickup, remote service bureau-style fabrication support, equipment check-out, and library services.
Getting tested for COVID-19 at MICA
Our on-campus testing process is free, quick, easy, and and mandatory for all members of the MICA community accessing campus regularly.
Semester Start & End Dates
In order to provide additional time to address potential public health issues associated with the winter holiday and provide additional time for campus preparation and planning, Spring Semester will start one week later than originally planned — on January 25. The last day of classes will be May 14.
Mini-Breaks
In order to reduce the risks associated with an extended travel period, Spring Break will be split into two smaller breaks. The dates for these “mini-breaks” are March 10-12 and April 12-13. Both breaks connect to a weekend to provide the traditional nine days of break during the semester and are intended for rest and restoration, not travel, which is highly discouraged
Courses & Registration
The full Spring 2021 course schedule will be published the week of November 9 with registration for graduate and undergraduates starting on December 7. The tuition payment due date will be January 6.
Living on Campus
Detailed housing information and applications will be made available on November 24, with applications due on December 4. Move in dates/time slots will be distributed on December 22 with move in beginning in the second week of January.
Building Hours & Access
Most of the MICA buildings that house academic programs or workspaces will be open to faculty, staff, and students, and all buildings that have undergraduate or graduate studios/workspaces or fabrication studios will be open.
Graduate students and undergraduate seniors will have access to assigned studios, workspaces and some campus-wide fabrication facilities. Access will be available by appointment during limited scheduled hours (details forthcoming).
All other students will have access to certain buildings for brief transactions and optional course-based or co-curricular engagements.
Following are the planned hours of building access for Spring 2021:
For Undergraduate Students:
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
For Graduate Students:
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:00 a.m.
Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m.-12 a.m.
Shop, Studios, Equipment & Services.
On-Campus Access:
The following campus-wide shops will be available to undergraduate seniors and graduate students for physical access to produce thesis work. Access will be available by appointment during limited scheduled hours (details forthcoming).
These shops include:
- Digital Fabrication Studio (dFab)
- Dolphin Design Center Fabrication
- Fox Wood Shop
- FLIV Wood Shop
Remote Production Services:
Fabrication Studios will offer remote 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, and Risograph printing for curbside-pickup or shipping to all MICA students enrolled in courses with remote production assignments or who have necessary prerequisite experience.
Equipment Check-Out:
All curbside pickup offered by departments, programs, or support areas for local students in the fall will also be available in the spring.
Housing & Residence Halls
As long as beds remain available, any student is welcome to live on campus in the residence halls. Because of public health measures, space is limited to two students per apartment, so priority will be given to cohorts in the following order:
1. Graduate Students & Seniors
2. First Year Students
3. Sophomore & Juniors
Library & College Store
Library:
The Library will be open to all students, faculty and staff 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday for contactless checkout and returns.
MICA Store:
The MICA Store will be open to all MICA community members for contactless curbside pickup of orders placed in advance from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Exhibitions
No scheduling of internal or external exhibitions in any of MICA’s on-campus galleries will be allowed for the Spring Semester. The College’s official online exhibitions platforms will be enhanced and used as alternatives.
Documentation spaces — including galleries or unused studio spaces — will be identified and Exhibitions staff will work with graduate students as well as faculty thesis coordinators to oversee the temporary installation and documentation of undergrad and grad thesis work.
Public Health & Safety
COVID Testing
In consultation with epidemiologists and infection preventionists from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the College will implement a program of regular testing for all asymptomatic MICA community members who are regularly accessing the campus, including a test upon arrival. Students with symptoms will be tested and assessed at MICA’s Student Health Center.
Primary Public Health Measures
- Mandatory face coverings at all times on MICA campus
- Strict physical distancing protocols in place
- Temperature taking scanners at all building entrances
Visitors
The MICA campus and available services are for MICA students, staff, and faculty only. The campus is closed to visitors, including family, friends, and guests. A process to allow for temporary exceptions based on special circumstances is being considered.
Social Agreement
All students, staff, faculty, and administration will be required to read and sign a Common Social Agreement before visiting campus. The agreement will present a variety of on-campus behaviors and critical public health measures to which all on-campus community members must agree.
Community Feedback
Our planning work for the Spring Semester will continue throughout the fall and we will keep the MICA community informed regularly through Recap — the College’s official communication for AY2021 planning, progress, and emergent ideas — and through regular meetings with faculty, staff, and student leadership groups and R5 meetings. You are encouraged to provide feedback here for inclusion in follow-up communications.
RECAP/
Issue 01
October 13, 2020
01
RECAP/
Issue 02
October 23, 2020
02
RECAP/
Issue 03
November 2, 2020
03
RECAP/
Issue 04
November 20, 2020
04
RECAP/
Issue 05
December 7, 2020
05
RECAP/
Issue 06
December 22, 2020
06
RECAP/
Issue 07
January 8, 2021
07
RECAP/
Issue 08
January 22, 2021
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