Maine Maritime Academy > Spring 2022

Spring 2022

Dear Mariners,

Our MMA community’s commitment to COVID protocols has been exceptional, and we are planning to continue offering “in person” classes as our primary mode of instruction for Spring 2022 (as we have for Fall 2021).  We are fulfilling our commitments for a full athletics and student activities schedule for Fall 2021 and again for Spring 2022.  We had over 55 employers visiting campus this fall for our annual Career Fair. Despite the challenges of COVID, industry demand for MMA graduates remains high, and we anticipate full placement for cadet shipping and coops during Summer 2022 in addition to planned cruises aboard our training vessels, TSSOM and Bowdoin.

Thank you,
President William J. Brennan

SPRING ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Please note that the Spring 2022 schedule begins two weeks earlier than usual, to accommodate a summer dry-dock period for the TSSOM.

The complete Spring 2022 Academic Calendar can be viewed on the Academic Calendar page.

Calendar Highlights

  • January 4 | Undergraduate Classes Begin
  • January 10 | End Add/Drop Period
  • Feburary 28 – March 4 | Spring Break/USCG Exams
  • April 15 | Last Day of Undergraduate Classes
  • April 18-21 | Final Exams
  • April 22 | Final Exam make-up
  • April 23 | Commencement / NROTC Commissioning
  • April 24 | TSSOM Cruise Begins
  • April 24 | First Cadet Shipping Period Begins

TRADITIONAL SPRING EVENTS

The Spring semester includes many traditions and celebrations, including Regimental Change of Command, Ring Ceremony, Student Life Awards Banquet, and of course Commencement. While we may have to make some adaptations to each due to COVID-19 case rates and CDC guidance, we plan to hold these events in person in the spring.

ATHLETICS

While adhering to the most recent NCAA guidance, the Mariners are planning a regular winter/spring competition schedule, including conference and championship play.

For more information about our teams and the upcoming seasons, please visit the Mariner Athletics website.

VACCINATION POLICY

COVID-19 vaccines remain our most powerful tool in fighting the virus in our community. Keeping infection rates under control at MMA is our only chance at having the kind of semester we’re all hoping for – one where we can be together, honor beloved traditions in person, take advantage of MMA’s unique hands-on learning opportunities, and enjoy a bright and vibrant campus community.

Maine Maritime Academy announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students last fall. This means that all students must be fully vaccinated before participating in classes. All students returning to MMA after a leave of absence and all new students, reporting for the first time to MMA, must show proof of vaccination prior to or on check-in day.

Consistent with Maine state law regarding other required vaccinations, medical exemptions, provided by a treating physician, must be presented to and evaluated by, MMA’s Health Services, well in advance of enrollment. For more information, please contact Tammy Tyler at 207-326-2295.

Following CDC guidance, we recommend boosters for those who are eligible. Those who received the J & J shot more than two months ago are eligible, as are those who received a Pfizer or Moderna series more than five months ago. MMA will co-sponsor several booster clinics with Northern Light Healthcare in the spring semester.

Most people are able to sign up for appointments at Walmart or pharmacies, but contact your primary care physician or MMA Health Services for assistance in finding a booster clinic.

Students who are vaccinated and are eligible for a booster but have not received one will now be required to quarantine for 5 days if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case. These students will also need to participate in periodic surveillance testing during the spring semester.

VISITING

If you are interested in an education at Maine Maritime Academy, we encourage you to visit Castine, meet an admissions counselor, and tour our beautiful seaside campus! We are pleased to offer campus visits through our Admissions office.

Choose a day and time to schedule a visit, or contact our Admissions team at 207-326-2207 or admissions@mma.edu.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

MMA’s public health protocols are subject to change as the COVID-19 situation in Maine continues to evolve. At this time, indoor masking is recommended but not required, based on the latest CDC guidance. However, those individuals who are returning from isolation status or have been exposed to a positive case must continue to follow CDC masking guidelines as described below.

Due to the higher transmissibility of the Omicron variant, all students, including those who are fully vaccinated, should have a plan for isolation or quarantine housing off-campus. Isolation housing on campus is reserved for those residential students who are fully vaccinated and are unable to travel home due to distance.

Please note that decisions relating to MMA’s health and safety protocols are dependent on caseloads in the state and are developed in consultation with Maine CDC and our partners at Northern Light Health. Masking requirements are subject to change and may evolve rapidly over time.

Updated CDC Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines

If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)

Please complete Positive COVID-19 Test Reporting Form

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

  • Stay home for 5 days.
  • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
  • Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. This means eating by yourself and wearing a mask around your roommate(s).

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine)

If you:

Have been boosted
OR
Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months
OR
Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
  • Test on day 5

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you:

Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and are not boosted
OR
Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted
OR
Are unvaccinated

  • Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
  • Test on day 5.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

Maine Maritime Academy COVID-19 Dashboard

2022 Spring Semester Test Results

Updated: 4/22/2022

Total Known Active Cases*
2

Campus Community Vaccination Rates

StudentEmployee
99.7%94.6%

Notes:

For Spring 2022, our primary testing method is the rapid antigen test. The dashboard will be updated as new data becomes available. The positivity rate is the percentage of total tests that are positive.

Maine Maritime Academy’s COVID-19 dashboard provides information regarding testing performed on campus through MMA Health Services and in collaboration with The Jackson Laboratory and Northern Light Healthcare only.

*Total Known Active Cases count, incorporating additional positive test results reported to MMA that have been confirmed by Maine CDC. For comprehensive regional data, please visit please visit the Maine CDC’s coronavirus dashboard.

FAQ

With the start of the semester fast approaching, we understand that you may have many questions about what to expect and how to prepare for life in Castine. Please review the following information carefully and reach out as needed. We are dedicated to your health, safety, and success this spring.

Any student who experiences symptoms should test at home or in the Health Center.  Any student who is identified as a close contact of a positive case will be tested in the Health Center based on current CDC guidance.

In response to updated mask guidance from the CDC, indoor masking is recommended but not required at this time, with the exception of those who are returning from isolation or have been exposed to a positive case.

If you are on campus during the week, please visit Health Services to discuss your symptoms. Health Services may determine that your symptoms warrant a rapid test, and if so, they will perform that test at that time. If you are away from campus or if it is the weekend, please visit a local urgent care facility or pick up a rapid test at a local drug store. Please contact Elizabeth True or Deidra Davis, immediately, via email if you test positive at an off campus testing site or with a test from a drug store. You may want to have a few at-home antigen test kits with you.

The Academy is currently exploring options and discussing the possibility of permitting non-MMA student guests in residential buildings. We will keep residential students informed as decisions are made and, if MMA does permit outside visitors, what that might look like moving forward amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students in the Regiment of Midshipmen will be expected to report to morning muster at 0710 on Tuesday, January 4th, in the Field House.

We are looking forward to your arrival on campus and our faculty and staff are ready to answer any additional questions that you may have! Please note that email is the preferred mode of communication at this time.

General COVID-19 Response Updates