Coronavirus
YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE OUR TOP PRIORITY
Updated January 1, 2023
The well-being of AUC students and colleagues has been at the forefront of our pandemic response as we have supported the continuation of our students’ educational goals.
We are in a vastly different place today than when COVID-19 first emerged. High levels of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity and availability of effective treatments and prevention tools have substantially reduced the risk of COVID-19-associated hospitalization and deaths, making it possible for AUC to hold on-campus activities and for our students to fully engage in clinical experiences. The pandemic is not over but we are moving to a point where COVID-19 is no longer disrupting daily life as it had before.
AUC will continue to closely follow guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health agencies regarding COVID-19. And, just as we have done throughout the pandemic, we will keep the health and well-being of our communities our top priority. In addition to strongly encouraging our students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against COVID-19, we continue to thoroughly clean and disinfect our campus; we also expect anyone who feels ill, develops symptoms, or tests positive for the virus stays home until they are recovered. More information about our COVID-19 policy can be found here.
There are many reasons our students chose to step forward in their calling — making a real difference in the lives of others and their community likely tops that list. We are proud to count so many frontline workers as a part of our AUC family and we appreciate the ongoing commitment of our alumni, educators, and students to end the pandemic.
SINT MAARTEN
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, in-person learning has fully resumed across our campuses and at our affiliated clinical sites. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and modify our plans and safety protocols if needed.
For the January 2023 semester, AUC is allowing first-time first-semester students the ability to take courses remotely for their first term only.* We recognize that new students may face hardships in preparing to be on the island for the first time due to circumstances compounded by COVID-19, such as challenges in the passport, visa, and travel-related processes.
Students further along in their educational journey (semester 2 through 5) and repeat first semester students are required to be on the island, and our clinical students are required to participate in live clinical care settings.
Note: The remote option for AUC is only available to Sint Maarten campus first-time first-semester students and does not include the UK Track.
*The January 2023 semester remote option for new, first-time first-semester students is contingent on the U.S. COVID-19 national emergency declaration and federal allowances. If the national emergency declaration and federal allowances are terminated prior to the end of the January 2023 semester, you will be required to complete your semester on the island. The remote option is not offered to continuing students (semesters 2-5) or students repeating the first semester.
Yes, campus facilities including the gym, cafeteria, testing center, and study rooms are open and operating.
TRAVEL
If you have previously studied on Sint Maarten, please bring your residency documents. If you had received a residency permit but misplaced it, please email SEllis-Singh@aucmed.edu for an electronic copy.
If you have not yet been to Sint Maarten and do not have a resident permit, make sure you have proof of a return flight (e.g., roundtrip ticket), have submitted all relevant documents to Admissions (admissions@aucmed.edu) and have a copy of your AUC acceptance letter. Please email Admissions if you need an electronic copy of your letter.
If you received a resident permit but misplaced it, please email SEllis-Singh@aucmed.edu for an electronic copy.
No, as of November 1, 2022, there are no COVID-19 requirements to enter Sint Maarten. You do not need to travel with proof of a negative COVID-19 test nor proof of vaccination.
Please monitor the Sint Maarten government’s travel requirements page for updates as entry protocols may change.
Please reach out to AUC's Office of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@aucmed.edu to discuss your individual situation.
If your arrival to St. Maarten has been delayed and you will not be able to complete campus check-in by the end of the first day of classes, please fill out an Excused Absence from Medical Sciences Not to Exceed 15 Days Request form and submit it to the link on the form. To request a late fee waiver, please complete the Late Fee Waiver Form and upload it here. Late fee waiver forms will be accepted for consideration until the end of week 2. Any forms submitted after that date will not be reviewed for a waiver.
Students who are immunosuppressed or have a pre-existing medical condition should contact AUC’s Office of Student Affairs at studentaffairs@aucmed.edu to discuss support options.
AUC’s plans continue to be guided by two principles: protecting the health and safety of our community and supporting students' goals to become globally-minded and socially accountable physicians. Since the start of the pandemic, we have implemented enhanced cleaning routines and hand sanitizing stations are readily accessible throughout campus. We also regularly monitor the local and national prevalence of COVID-19 and may institute additional safety protocols if needed.
If you experience any flu-like or COVID-19 symptoms, call the Sint Maarten Ministry of Public Health’s COVID-19 hotline at 914 or +1721-542-1570 and do not come onto campus. We also ask that you inform AUC by contacting studentaffairs@aucmed.edu; AUC’s Office of Safety & Security at security@aucmed.edu, and AUC’s COVID-19 Mitigation Team at COVIDMitigation@aucmed.edu.
Prior to being on campus: Contact studentaffairs@aucmed.edu.
While on Sint Maarten: Call the Sint Maarten Ministry of Public Health’s COVID-19 hotline at 914 or +1721-542-1570 and do not come onto campus. Also contact Student Affairs at studentaffairs@aucmed.edu; AUC’s Office of Safety & Security at security@aucmed.edu; and AUC’s COVID-19 Mitigation Team at COVIDMitigation@aucmed.edu.
Each situation will be considered on an individual basis through conversation with Student Affairs. In order to be approved for a Leave of Absence (LOA), students will need to provide documentation of their illness from their healthcare provider to Student Affairs at studentsaffairs@aucmed.edu. Once approved for a LOA related to illness, AUC will work with you and your faculty to determine a makeup date for any mandatory activities that you may have missed.
To access confidential wellness counseling services, please reach out to the following contacts:
- Sint Maarten medical sciences and clinical sciences students: sxmwellness@aucmed.edu
If you have an urgent crisis after-hours, please call 721-587-6661. If you need more immediate assistance, please call 721-588-4018 for the On-Duty Security Supervisor.
UK TRACK
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Yes, in-person learning has fully resumed across our campuses and at our affiliated clinical sites. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and modify our plans and safety protocols if needed.
Yes, UCLan is open and operating seven days a week.
TRAVEL - UKT
As of January 5, 2023, travelers flying from mainland China to England must take a pre-departure test before travel. There are no other restrictions or entry protocols in place.
Students should regularly monitor the UK government website and the UCLan FAQ webpage for changes to travel and arrival protocols.
Please reach out to Dr. Andy Ginty, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs – UK Track, at aginty@aucmed.edu to discuss your situation.
HEALTH & SAFETY - UKT
Students who are immunosuppressed or have a pre-existing medical condition may contact Dr. Andy Ginty, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs – UK Track, at aginty@aucmed.edu to discuss their situation.
Any student who tests positive for COVID-19 should take the following actions:
- Inform the course administrative team by emailing crankin@uclan.ac.uk
- Review additional NHS guidance and UK government guidance on receiving a positive test result.
If you need support from Student Services, please either email wellbeing@uclan.ac.uk or call 01772 893020. If you need urgent support, please contact Security on 01772 892068 or via the SafeZone app.
If you experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please inform the course administrative team by emailing Catherine Rankin at crankin@uclan.ac.uk. Please refer to UK government guidance by visiting their website at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Complio Submissions (for Clinical Site Requirements)
Yes, this will help facilitate your compliance with our clinical partners’ vaccine policies and requirements.
Students are subject to their clinical site requirements, which may include COVID-19 vaccination or testing. Students who do not comply with those site-specific requirements may not be allowed to access the site, which could lead to additional consequences as set forth in the Student Handbook and Academic Catalog.
Learn more about COVID-19 from the CDC: