SMTD COVID-19 Information
Updated August 10, 2022
The School of Music, Theatre & Dance has outlined School-specific plans for the 2022-2023 academic year on this site, and information will be updated regularly as needed. For questions about SMTD’s COVID-19 information, please contact SMTDCOVID-19@umich.edu.
SMTD Fall 2022 Safety Guidelines
U-M Mask Mandate
University of Michigan Facilities & Operations Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) has removed the mask mandate as of May 2, 2022. Masks remain required in patient care areas and at campus COVID-19 testing sites.
Audiences for all SMTD concerts and events are no longer required to wear a mask. Vaccine checks for ticketed events ended effective March 14, 2022.
All guidelines listed below are subject to change, based on recommendations from university public health officials.
COVID Protocol for Rehearsals and Performances
Protocol for Close Contact with COVID
The CDC, EHS, and SMTD are drawing a distinction between “community contact” (close contact with COVID at work or school) and “personal contact” (close contact with COVID at home/from a roommate).
If someone has been in close contact with COVID and it is a “community contact”, they do not need to follow a period of strict masking. They may continue with activities following the above guidelines but should test immediately if symptoms develop.
If someone has been in close contact with COVID and it is a “personal contact”, they must mask for 10 days following the contact. This is a strict masking requirement. Wind and brass players may only play their instruments alone in practice rooms and may not participate in rehearsals or performances during this masking period.
Protocol for Positive COVID Test
If an individual tests positive for COVID they must remain in isolation (at home) for five days after their positive test result. Day zero is the day the test was administered. The individual must isolate for five full days after the test day and then may return to activity on day six.
Symptomatic faculty and staff may use the day of symptom onset as day zero. Students must use the date the test was administered as day zero. (Learn more about how to count days in isolation after a positive test.)
If an individual is looking to travel after a positive COVID test, the isolation period is a full 10 days before travel is allowed (test or symptom onset date is Day Zero, travel is allowed on day 11).
If symptomatic the isolated individual’s symptoms must be resolving and they must be free from fever for 24 hours before they resume activities. If the symptoms are worsening or staying the same, they must stay home until symptoms are resolving.
After isolation, the individual can resume campus activities but must remain masked at all times for an additional five days. This includes rehearsals and practice rooms (brass and wind players may not play their instruments on campus during this period).
What responsibilities do students have to attend to public health requirements, such as distancing and masking?
In 2020, the University implemented an COVID-related Addendum to the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities. This addendum recognizes the responsibility of students to attend to public health guidelines, and specifies areas that would indicate violations of this statement:
Supplementary Student Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities set forth in Section IV of the Statement , the following violations would apply:
- Members of the Student community are expected to comply with health and safety laws, orders, ordinances, regulations or health and safety guidance adopted by the University as it relates to public health crises, including COVID-19, where failure to do so may result in public health risk. This guidance will evolve as the public health crisis evolves and may include, but is not limited to, social distancing, mandatory COVID-19 testing, de-densifying efforts, limitations on mass gatherings, wearing a face covering, contact tracing, and quarantine / isolation requirements.
- Failure to comply with the public health guidance adopted by the U-M as it relates to face coverings, which is subject to change and which is currently located at: http://ehs.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/U-M-Face-Covering-Policy-for-COVID-19.pdf
- Failure to participate in and maintain isolation and/or quarantine, as instructed by a health care provider or public health officials, which may include U-M Environmental health and safety
- Hosting or attending a social gathering larger than the allowable limits set by any state or local law or University policy. This provision does not preclude constitutionally protected activity, such as protesting, or individuals who may be residing together in a single household.
What further consequences might be applicable to students who refuse to comply with public health measures?
Faculty and/or staff who are concerned about repeated violations of public health measures should report the student and situation to the appropriate Associate Dean, who will file a complaint with the Office of Student Conflict Resolution.
The Addendum to the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities outlines additional measures that may apply for students who refuse to comply with required public health measures as follows:
Enforcement/Compliance
Interim Measures. Section VII, Procedures, of the Statement are here clarified to include interim measures as follows: if a student’s actions pose an immediate health or safety risk to any member of the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor community, the Vice President for Student Life or designee may institute interim measures, including removal from in-person activities related to the University, effective immediately. The process described in the Emergency Suspension section of the Statement would follow the issuance of any interim measure.
Student Resources
Mental Health Resources
Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS): 734-764-8312 or email the CAPS virtual front desk.
Embedded SMTD CAPS Counselor: Emily Laura Hyssong, LMSW, email
For mental health information and online resources, please consult MiTalk or the U-M CAPS Stressbusters App.
CAPS COVID-19 Specific Support:
Mental Health Care Package: Coping with COVID 19 | UM Counseling and Psychological Services
If you are in crisis, please call 911, CAPS at 734-764-8312, or email the CAPS virtual front desk or U-M Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) at 734-936-5900. Directions to PES.
Maize & Blue Cupboard
College students and staff are experiencing food insecurity at alarming rates. The Maize and Blue Cupboard is here to provide an immediate and comprehensive response for the U-M community.
For a list of U-M student resources and information, visit Campus Maize and Blueprint.
Do you have a question about an SMTD student resource? Contact:
Deedee Ulintz, Director of Student Affairs and Program Evaluation
Kate Fitzpatrick-Harnish, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Jason Corey, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
Student Emergency Funding Resources
SMTD Emergency Fund
The SMTD Student Emergency Fund, funded by SMTD donors, Dean David Gier, and UM’s Center for the Education of Women (CEW+), provides support to SMTD students to address emergency financial and remote learning needs.
U-M’s Dean of Students Office
Dean of Students Office Emergency Funds are available to students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to temporary hardship related to an unforeseen or emergency situation.
Center for the Education of Women
CEW+ offers emergency funding to current U-M Ann Arbor graduate students and undergraduate students. These grants, called Emergency Funds (EF), are for unexpected financial emergencies that threaten to derail degree progress. Students must speak to a CEW+ counselor to determine eligibility.
Rackham Graduate School
The Rackham Graduate Student Emergency Fund is intended to help meet the financial needs of Rackham graduate students who encounter an emergency situation or one-time, unusual, or unforeseen expenses during their degree program.
U-M’s Office of Financial Aid Emergency Loans
OFA provides emergency loans of up to $500 as a short-term (90 day), interest-free loan.
Campus Maize & Blueprint
Learn more about the University of Michigan’s comprehensive COVID-19 policies and information at Campus Maize and Blueprint.