Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates & Resources

UNH Manchester Building photo
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates & Resources

We've created this webpage to keep the UNH Manchester community informed during the evolving COVID-19 situation. We encourage you to check this page frequently for updates, important information and resources.

 

New and Returning Students

Informed by the latest science, public health guidance and ideas from our university community, UNH has been working all summer to develop a flexible, COVID-19-ready in-person fall 2020 experience designed to keep our community safe. Should health conditions change, we are prepared to pivot in support of the health and well-being of our community. Teams on both campuses have developed a framework for different modes of operation for the fall semester. Visit the UNH Roadmap page for the most up-to-date information about opening plans.

see the UNH roadmap
 

Checklist of what you need to do before returning to campus

  • Register for Classes Following These Easy Steps
  1. Contact your advisor or Academic Advising for appointments to obtain your Registration Access Code (RAC).
  2. Academic Advising has drop-in advising availability. Visit Academic Advising’s webpage to learn how to connect with a professional advisor who can help you explore course options.  
  3. Register through WebCat during your RAC window (see “How to Register Through WebCat”).
  4. If you have errors during registration, please contact Academic Advising (unhm.advising@unh.edu or 603-641-4170) or The Registration Office (unhm.registration@unh.edu or 603-641-4136).
  • Informed Consent

The informed consent form is required of all students who plan to be on one of our campuses (Manchester, Durham or Concord) this fall. We originally targeted July 31 for students to respond to allow time for individual outreach to any student who selects “no” to ensure that they can take the necessary courses they need to graduate in a timely manner. While we encourage you to sign the informed consent agreement by July 31, we will keep the link live through August. Students who select “no” on the form will not face conduct code violations. However, they will not be able to be on any campus.

To access the form, go into Webcat and choose the “Student Informed Consent Agreement” under “Personal Information” at the top of the page.

  • Decide if remote access is right for you

The deans’ offices have been working with the faculty to finalize all course assignments and delivery methods given the decreased density in classrooms on our campuses. The majority of classes have been uploaded in mycourses.unh.edu. Labels in the system currently indicate if courses are face-to-face, rotating attendance, hybrid or online only. At this time more than 95% of lecture classes have access to technology that would allow students to take them remotely. The Registrar’s Office is in the process of tagging each class or lab in MyCourses that will be available both in-person and remotely. That process is expected to be completed over the next two weeks.

If you choose not to sign the informed consent form for any reason, including because of health concerns, and plan to study remotely please contact Academic Advising (unhm.advising@unh.edu) to ensure your studies stay on track and you can complete your degree in a timely manner. If you plan to be on one of our campuses and need an accommodation, please contact the Student Accessibility Services Office. 

  • Pre-arrival testing

All students who plan to be on one of our campuses (Manchester, Durham or Concord) must be tested no earlier than eight days prior to their arrival or the first day of classes, whichever comes first, and demonstrate proof of a negative test through our testing program or by providing the information as part of your regular medical record. Testing dates and times will be emailed each week and students can select the most convenient site for where they are spending the summer. For those students who live outside of New England, you will receive an email from Quest with additional information specifically for you to participate in testing. Please watch for that email by August 7. All testing data is maintained in a secure and HIPPA compliant manner. Results will be available in three to five days.

  • Pre-arrival quarantine, if applicable

Due to a recent change in New Hampshire COVID-19 requirements, any student coming to one of our campuses (Manchester, Durham or Concord) from outside of the New England states (N.H., Mass., Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island or Connecticut) must quarantine 14 days prior to their arrival in New Hampshire, attest in writing to having done so and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test as described above. A negative test does not eliminate the need to quarantine for 14 days. Use of public transportation does not negate the 14-day quarantine. Guidance on how to quarantine is available from the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Get your student ID

Information on this topic will be coming soon.

  • Get your parking permit

Information on this topic will be coming soon.

 

Student Information

Please see the UNH Roadmap page for the latest information. Be sure to also check this page for updates to operations specific to UNH Manchester.

You will be able to meet with academic advisors and career services virtually. For advising appointments, contact unhm.advising@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4170. For career services, schedule an appointment via Handshake, or contact unhm.career@unh.edu.

UNH Manchester staff and services will be accessible remotely. Below are the best contacts for each department:

  • Academic Advising: Email unhm.advising@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4170 to schedule an appointment with an advisor.
  • Admissions: Email unhm.admissions@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4150.
  • Business Office/Billing: Email unhm.businessoffice@unh.edu. For student accounts, call (603) 641-4112 or (603) 641-4137
  • Career and Professional Success: Schedule an appointment via Handshake, or contact unhm.career@unh.edu for any questions.
  • Center for Academic Enrichment: Email unhm.cae@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4113.
  • Dean’s Office: Email unhm.dean@unh.edu.
  • Financial Aid: Email unhm.fa@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4189.
  • Food Insecurity: If you are concerned about food for yourself or your family during this time, please contact Kattarina Biss, program coordinator for student engagement.
  • Graduate School at Manchester: Email unhm.gradcenter@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4313.
  • Housing: Contact Joshua Felch, coordinator of student involvement and orientation.
  • Information Technology: Call (603) 641-HELP or submit a ticket online.
  • Library: Email unhm.library@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4173.
  • Mental Health Services: Students can still schedule mental health appointments during this time by emailing unhm.advising@unh.edu. Counseling sessions will take place at 2 Wall Street, Floor 3 (Mental Health Center Greater Manchester’s Bedford Counseling Associates office). Sessions must be scheduled in advance – there will be no walk-in availability. Additional mental health support:
    • Get support for a mental health or substance misuse crisis by contacting the Manchester Mobile Crisis Response Team 24/7 at (800) 688-3544. Mobile Crisis Response sends mental health clinicians, peer support and recovery coaches directly to those in need.
    • Crisis Text Line offers free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to text with a Crisis Counselor, volunteers who are trained to support people in crisis. It usually takes less than five minutes to connect you with a trained Crisis Counselor.
    • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress as well as resources for you or your loved ones and best practices for professionals. Call (800) 273-TALK (8255).
  • Registration: Email unhm.registration@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4136.
  • Security: Email unhm.security@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4124.
  • Student Engagement: Email unhm.studentengagement@unh.edu.

UNH Manchester's residence hall, UNH Downtown Commons, will operate at reduced density by eliminating triples. UNH Downtown Commons' onsite dining facility operated by New England College will offer grab-and-go meals only.

Two residence halls in Durham have been reserved as quarantine space and will be available to Manchester residence hall students if returning to their permanent home is not possible. 

Should you or someone you’ve been in contact with develop any COVID-19 symptoms, please let your RA know right away. You should also make your own transportation arrangements to visit your Primary Care Provider or a local urgent care clinic.

The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence’s 13 Coalition member programs are still available 24/7 to provide support and safety. Survivors of domestic and sexual violence are under increased pressure and danger during this time and we want them to know they are never alone: NHCADSV Not Alone Video

Other resources:
CONFIDENTIAL STATEWIDE HELPLINES
  • 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-866-644-3574
  • 24-hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-277-5570
  • Chat and text support services are available at some member programs, and more are beginning to offer these services. Visit your local program to learn more. 

It is with sadness and disappointment that UNH is announcing the cancellation of all student international travel programs and experiences for the Fall 2020 semester in accordance with our International Travel Risk Policy. The U.S. State Department Global Health Advisory Level 4: Do Not Travel remains in effect due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Applications for January and Spring 2021 remain open with the hope that education abroad programs can resume next year.

Updated June 11, 2020

After extensive deliberation, we have decided to postpone UNH Manchester’s May 14 commencement ceremony. This was an extremely difficult decision that we know will disappoint many students, however your welfare is our top priority. We know that our graduates and their families want an in-person commencement ceremony to celebrate your accomplishments, and we are actively working to make that happen as soon and as safely possible.

  1. Contact your advisor or Academic Advising for appointments to obtain your Registration Access Code (RAC).
  2. Academic Advising will have drop-in advising availability on April 20, 22, 27, 30, and May 4 from 9-11am and 1-3pm for Manchester undergraduate students. Students can access the Zoom link in an email sent from the Academic Advising Office on 4/16.
  3. Register through WebCat during your RAC window (see “How to Register Through WebCat”).
  4. If you have errors during registration, please contact Academic Advising or The Registration Office.

Academic Advising: Email unhm.advising@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4170.

Registration Office: Email unhm.registration@unh.edu or call (603) 641-4136.

This is a stressful time for many, so we’ve worked with Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester (MHCGM) to continue offering mental health services. Email unhm.advising@unh.edu for more information and to schedule your appointment.

Additional mental health support:

  • Get support for a mental health or substance misuse crisis by contacting the Manchester Mobile Crisis Response Team 24/7 at (800) 688-3544. Mobile Crisis Response sends mental health clinicians, peer support and recovery coaches directly to those in need.
  • Crisis Text Line offers free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to text with a Crisis Counselor, volunteers who are trained to support people in crisis. It usually takes less than five minutes to connect you with a trained Crisis Counselor.
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support via phone or chat for people in distress as well as resources for you or your loved ones and best practices for professionals. Call (800) 273-TALK (8255).

We've compiled the resources below to help those experiencing unexpected financial hardships caused by challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

COVID-19 Assistance Information and Resources
 
Food Assistance
 
Unemployment and Financial Resources

If you have additional questions or are concerns about financial hardship during this time, please contact Financial Aid at unhm.fa@unh.edu or 603-641-4189.

 

If you have any additional questions or concerns about housing or dining, please contact Student Engagement at unhm.studentengagement@unh.edu or 603-641-4116.

What We Are Doing to Keep You Safe

Teams on both campuses have been working hard to plan for the fall and have developed a framework for different modes of operation for the fall semester. The key aspects as it exists today for UNH Manchester is outlined below. These plans will continue to evolve based on the most current public health guidelines.

  • UNH Manchester will implement increased hygiene, sanitization and distancing measures as recommended by public health officials; health screening and monitoring for all faculty, staff and students; robust testing and contact tracing.
  • UNH Manchester's residence hall, UNH Downtown Commons, will operate at reduced density by eliminating triples. Two residence halls in Durham have been reserved as quarantine space and will be available to Manchester residence hall students if returning to their permanent home is not possible. 
  • UNH Downtown Commons’ onsite dining facility operated by New England College will operate on a grab-and-go basis only.
  • UNH Manchester students should communicate with their established primary care doctor should they experience symptoms of COVID-19.

Recent Communications

#unhtogether

Now more than ever, the health and safety of our UNH community depends on everyone acting with real Wildcat pride. Let's take care of each other.

Learn More

Faculty/Staff Information

Please see the UNH Roadmap page for the most updated information.

All faculty and staff must be tested for COVID-19 before coming to campus for the semester. Check your UNH email for details on testing dates and locations. Even if you test negative, you will still need to submit to a temperature checks and fill out the online health screening form each day you're on campus.

Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 Health Screening for Employees
June 3, 2020

What is the new health screening requirement?

The New Hampshire Governor's Economic Reopening Taskforce distributed universal guidelines for New Hampshire employers to put in place to provide a healthy work environment. Effective immediately and until further notice, employers must have a process for screening all employees reporting for work for COVID-19 related symptoms. All employees who are sick or not feeling well are required to stay home.

Who must follow the screening requirement guidelines?

Any employee, including student employees and post docs, who comes to one of the three campuses or any work-related site outside of the home is required to follow the guidelines every day they do so, effectively immediately and until further notice. 

What do the health screening requirements require?

No more than 1.5 hours before arriving to work, employees are required to take their temperature and login to an online portal to review a brief health self-assessment and confirm the answer to the five questions related to COVID-19 exposure and symptoms is no. They must also follow the recommendation on whether they should report to work or for authorized activities.

What are the questions that must be answered every day?

The questions, as set out in the state guidelines, are:

  1. Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19? Only answer yes if you have not already self-quarantined
  2. Have you had a fever or felt feverish in the last 72 hours?
  3. Are you experiencing any new respiratory symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath?
  4. Are you experiencing any new muscle aches or chills?
  5. Have you experienced any new change in your sense of taste or smell?

Employees should use some discretion when responding to the questions as they are intended to identify unexplained or new symptoms. If, for example, you have muscle soreness due to gardening or other typical exertion, but have no fever or other COVID related symptoms, you may report to work that day.

What if I have a temperature of 100.0 F or higher, or I don’t pass the screening?

Employees should not go to campus or any other place they are doing their UNH work. Employees who are on campus or at a worksite already must leave immediately and contact their physician. They must also notify their supervisor that they will not be at work.

I took the self-assessment and have been informed I cannot work or do research or other educational activity on campus because of one of my answers. I do not believe my answer is related to COVID-19. How can I get permission to be on campus?

If you responded to the survey in earnest and were told not to report to work, but you do not believe the symptom is specifically related to COVID-19, contact your health care provider or UNH Health & Wellness to discuss. Until and unless your medical provider confirms that you do not have a diagnosis of COVID-19, you should not report to work and should follow the guidelines regarding sick employees.

Who can see the information that people are submitting through the five-question screening?

Information submitted will be treated as confidential. Supervisors will not see the information; they will only be told if an employee can or cannot report to work outside of the home.

If I'm only going to my office to pick up mail or get supplies and will only be there for a short time, do I have to comply with this requirement?

Yes. Anyone accessing a university building or any other work site is expected to comply.

What if I don’t have a thermometer? Can I be screened on campus?

If you need to have your temperature taken or access to a computer to do the screening report go to McGregor Memorial EMS, the UNH Police Department or UNH Health & Wellness, all in Durham. In Manchester and at the Law School thermometers will soon be available with security.

Do I need to wear a mask?

While at work and in public, employees should wear a cloth face covering to help protect against the spread of the virus. Employees should review the CDC’s guidance on use of cloth face coverings. Medical-grade masks should be reserved for healthcare workers or first responders. The university has masks available but employees may wear their own masks should they choose to do so. If you need a mask please contact your supervisor.


I’ve been informed by my employee that they can not work based on the self-assessment. What should I do?

Instruct the employee to stay at home and follow guidance on the COVID-19 website about staying away from campus. Also, advise the employee to consult their primary care provider.

Please contact IT at (603) 641-HELP or submit a ticket online.

In the interest of your health and safety, international and domestic business travel is currently prohibited, and all personal international travel is strongly discouraged. As applicable, consult with your manager to determine whether your domestic travel is essential. Employees are strongly encouraged to use remote methods, such as teleconferencing, where possible. These restrictions will be reassessed and updated as needed. 

Please work with your manager to cancel your travel commitments and request refunds or credits to use on future university travel. If you are unable to secure refunded expenses or travel credit for future use, there will be no financial impact to you—we will cover cancellation costs.

Health Resources

Put your health and the health of your family, colleagues and community first with important COVID-19 resources and information from UNH Health & Wellness.
 

HEALTH RESOURCES