Updated 6/12/2020
COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Updates
To our AUC Community:
As a medical school, the health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and communities are of paramount importance to us. As we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving public health situation, please be assured we are taking the necessary precautions to lower the risk of exposure and do our part to curb the spread of the virus.
On March 13, 2020, we made the decision to shift all courses online for the remainder of the semester. We believe this decision, consistent with best practices from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), will best protect our AUC community.
Although the news and virus itself can be disruptive to our everyday lives, our focus remains clear: continue delivering on our mission to train tomorrow’s physicians while prioritizing our students’ well-being. We are very fortunate that the strength of our online education capabilities enables us to be agile and adaptable, providing a well-orchestrated learning experience. Our learning management system is built to support online education, and our faculty continue to update themselves on new technologies and interactive learning modalities to support our students through their medical education journey.
September 2020 Session FAQs (Prospective and Accepted Students)
No. AUC School of Medicine has elected to waive the MCAT requirement for impacted applicants for the September 2020 semester in cases where the MCAT exam was unavailable due to COVID-19 related interruptions. AUC’s evaluation for admission is conducted on an individual basis and uses a holistic approach. Applicants are required to submit MCAT scores for all attempts in the previous five years. For those applicants who have attempted the MCAT one or more times previously but may have been prevented from a final MCAT attempt also due to testing-center closures, please submit your application with current MCAT scores and consult with an admissions ambassador about your individual situation.
NOTE: Recent U.S. Department of Education guidance permits waiving the MCAT requirement for impacted applicants when related to continued COVID-19 related interruptions.
That’s ok. Over the past several months, COVID-19 has significantly disrupted the availability of standardized medical school admissions tests in multiple countries. As a result, AUC School of Medicine has elected to waive the standardized admission test requirement for impacted applicants that are applying to the September 2020 semester. Please submit your application and consult with an admissions ambassador about your individual situation.
It will start online. AUC has made the decision to start our medical sciences courses virtually for the fall semester, beginning on August 31, 2020. Since we have already temporarily transitioned our medical sciences curriculum to an online-learning platform, we are well-prepared to continue to deliver an interactive and seamless online learning experience through the September semester for our students.
At this time, students are able to access designated areas of the university for study and internet service in accordance with AUC safety protocols, including:
· The library (open from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm)
· Building 1 small group study rooms and classrooms (LH1 and LH3)
· The outdoor patio behind the cafeteria
Several facilities remain closed, including the gym and dining services. As the semester progresses, we will continue to evaluate if and when additional facilities can reopen. We may also decide to modify campus status or access depending on changes in local conditions or new public health guidelines.
Please that all coursework for the September semester will be delivered remotely. There will be no in-person instruction on campus nor will faculty or staff be able to meet with students. Please continue to contact faculty and other student services departments and offices (e.g., housing, student accounts, immigration, etc.) via email.
Yes. If both your local government and our local governments allow international travel, then it is your right to move when you feel it is safe to do so.
Before making travel arrangements to Sint Maarten, students must complete the Student Travel Tracking form so that we can plan for your arrival and coordinate your access to campus.
- Note – If you are a September 2020 first-semester student interested in coming to Sint Maarten, please contact your admissions ambassador at 866-372-2282 prior to making any travel arrangements. In addition to required paperwork, we want to ensure you have what you need to successfully navigate your first time on island.
You will also need to complete the Sint Maarten government Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) form, which is mandatory for every individual planning to Sint Maarten, and adhere to the government travel requirements and safety protocols.
- This includes wearing a face covering in the airport, receiving temperature checks upon arrival, and uploading a negative rt-PCR COVID-19 test result, obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab only and performed within 72 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten (last leg in case of connecting flights). In addition, you may be required to take another PCR test in the airport upon arrival.
- As these requirements are subject to change, please monitor the Sint Maarten EHAS website and be prepared to follow new safety measures that are put in place.
Students will also need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Sint Maarten before being allowed unsupervised access to campus and follow AUC safety protocols. Please see “What precautions is AUC taking to prevent members of its campus community from exposure?”
There are several ways for you to connect with future classmates. One of the easiest ways to connect is to join one of AUC’s private Facebook groups. If you have not received any invites, yet, please reach out to your admissions ambassador or contact [email protected].
January 2021 Session FAQS (Prospective and Accepted Students
No. AUC School of Medicine has elected to waive the MCAT requirement for impacted applicants for the January 2021 semester in cases where the MCAT exam was unavailable due to COVID-19 related interruptions. AUC’s evaluation for admission is conducted on an individual basis and uses a holistic approach. Applicants are required to submit MCAT scores for all attempts in the previous five years. For those applicants who have attempted the MCAT one or more times previously but may have been prevented from a final MCAT attempt also due to testing-center closures, please submit your application with current MCAT scores and consult with an admissions ambassador about your individual situation.
NOTE: Recent U.S. Department of Education guidance permits waiving the MCAT requirement for impacted applicants when related to continued COVID-19 related interruptions.
That’s ok. Over the past several months, COVID-19 has significantly disrupted the availability of standardized medical school admissions tests in multiple countries. As a result, AUC School of Medicine has elected to waive the standardized admission test requirement for impacted applicants that are applying to the January 2021 semester. Please submit your application and consult with an admissions ambassador about your individual situation.
COVID-19 FAQs
The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), commonly known as a coronavirus, is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. For additional information visit the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website.
According to the World Health Organization, common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. The CDC believes that symptoms may appear in as few as two days or up to 14 days after exposure.
AUC is taking precautions to lower the risk of exposure and do our part to curb the spread of the virus. We have shifted all basic science courses for Sint Maarten students to online delivery via Canvas. We believe this decision, consistent with best practices from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) will best protect the Sint Maarten community. Since classes will be available online, students who choose to live in Sint Maarten at this time must complete their coursework from their residence.
For students traveling to Sint Maarten from another country, you will need to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Sint Maarten before being allowed unsupervised access to campus. Guidelines for quarantining can be found on the Sint Maarten website (please note the distinctions between isolation and quarantine). During this time, you should stay at home, monitor yourself for symptoms, and take steps to limit your interactions with others.
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please call Collective Prevention Services (CPS) immediately at 914, and then email [email protected] and [email protected]
AUC security personnel conducts daily temperature checks at the Welcome Center on all students and colleagues entering campus for study or office space. As a part of that check, we are asking a series of questions about any changes to travel, symptoms, or contact with an individual known to have COVID-19. These measures are in addition to safety protocols already underway, including:
- Social Distancing: Everyone on campus must keep a minimum distance of 6 feet from another person and must follow distance markers, signage, and maximum occupancy limits in common areas.
- Face Masks: Face masks are required when entering and traversing around campus and can only be removed when you are alone in an office or study space with no people moving near or around you. If you do not have a mask, one can be provided for you at the Welcome Center.
- Sanitization: Our facilities and maintenance teams are conducting daily cleaning and disinfecting procedures across campus. Community members are advised to regularly use the hand sanitizing stations and disinfecting wipes; please wipe down your study area before and after you have finished using it.
If you choose to leave Sint Maarten, please plan for your pet or plan on bringing your pet along with you.
Precautions can be taken to minimize your risk and prevent exposure and spread of the disease.
Personal Hygiene
It is important that we work together to take common sense precautions that can reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.
Per CDC guidelines
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home.
- Practice social distancing with people outside of your home. Stay at least 6 feet from other people.
- Wear a cloth face covering when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean and frequently disinfect common work surfaces.
- If you or a family member develops a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as a cough or shortness of breath, or are experiencing cold- or flu-like symptoms, work with to alert appropriate contacts and practice social distancing.
Travel Advice, including reduction:
We have been monitoring all government-issued travel guidance and have made the decision to follow the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s advice regarding travel to areas with increased risk of COVID-19. For those who are considering travel between countries, we strongly encourage you to stay updated on travel restrictions for your location and international travel advisories prior to making any arrangements.
- AUC is cancelling travel for all colleagues to countries that have been given a Risk Assessment Level 2 or higher travel advisory. These countries are China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City (Level 3), and Japan (Level 2). As the CDC provides travel advisories for additional countries, we will update our guidance.
- We strongly encourage you to follow the same guidance and carefully consider any travel between countries.
- If you have traveled to any of the restricted countries, we ask that you notify [email protected] so we can take appropriate precautions.
Community Activities
- All campus community activities are suspended until further notice. Students and colleagues will be notified via SIREN and email for information about activities resuming.
If you believe you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or believe you are displaying symptoms, please contact your local health department and email us at [email protected] so we can take appropriate precautions.