MSU Billings has suspended university-related international travel until further notice. Read the latest U.S. State Department travel advisories.
Students and visitors arriving from international locations are highly encouraged by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and MSU Billings to self-quarantine for seven days and to get COVID-19 tested 3-5 days after arrival if possible. If not tested, it is advised to self-quarantine for ten days.
Visitors are also highly encouraged to follow Montana's COVID-19 mandates, including wearing a face covering, maintaining six feet or more of distancing from others, following hand washing guidelines, and monitoring for signs and symptoms especially if they have traveled from an area with a high rate of infection, per the CDC guidelines.
In-state travel that is central to the maintenance and operations of MSUB and that cannot be managed through remote modalities may be deemed essential.
Employees with a vital need to travel for work should submit a written request to their supervisor for approval explaining the necessity to travel and provide additional information. Supervisors will be asked to approve travel requests and forward to HR. Employees will be asked to file a COVID-19 Travel Plan indicating what they plan to do to mitigate risk while traveling. This plan should include plans to social distance, continue good hand hygiene, not report to work if feeling sick, and include mask-wearing whenever possible, etc.
For all students, faculty and staff planning personal international travel, the university urges caution. Travel restrictions and quarantine requirements can change daily. The best, most up-to-date information about travel is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Information for Travel website.
Don’t bring COVID-19 back to campus. Review these reminders and a checklist for the start of spring semester.
The absence from class should not be assumed to be COVID-19, however, if there is someone in your class who has tested positive, our contact tracers will notify you if you meet the criteria for testing and quarantine. We ask that you let the process function properly, as your health is our number one concern.
If you have not been contacted and identified as a close contact, then carry on as usual. Remember to wear your face covering, practice social distancing, good hand hygiene, and stay home when you are sick.
If your roommate tested COVID-19 positive you should remain in self-quarantine until contacted by our contact tracers. You will most likely you be asked to quarantine and report any symptoms and get COVID-19 tested. Do NOT pack and leave.
We have your back! Our faculty have been instructed to make ever accommodation for your absence and to continue your education without delay or penalty. Please connect with your instructors for online learning options immediately.
When you are notified or when you test COVID-19 positive, please complete our Voluntary COVID-19 Self-Reporting Form. It is your right to tell anyone about your positive test, however we ask that you let the contact tracing process notify the close contacts as appropriate. You don’t “need” to tell anyone. Keep in mind that telling “everyone” can spread unnecessary fear and anxiety. Trust the process.
If you are asymptomatic and test COVID-19 positive you will need to isolate in the same way as you would if you had symptoms. There is a percentage of the population that is asymptomatic positive. You instructors will be able to provide you with online learning options, so you won’t miss class or any assignments during your isolation period.
We have your back! We will ensure you stay on track to continue your education with pause or delay. Your instructors are well versed in how to accomplish this. Get in touch with them immediately.
If you start to have symptoms similar to COVID-19 you should get tested; otherwise there is no reason to get tested.
For more information, see the Coronavirus FAQ’s page.
Effective July 23, 2020, MSUB implemented a face covering requirement. Face coverings are required in all campus indoor spaces and all enclosed or partially enclosed outdoor campus spaces or in any outdoor space where distancing of six feet or more is not possible or difficult to maintain. The face covering requirement applies to all MSUB students, employees and to all visitors, including service providers, contractors, vendors, suppliers, alumni, families, and community members.
Personal responsibility and accountability
It is our sincere hope that faculty, students, staff, and visitors will follow the wisdom associated with wearing a face covering to help protect the safety of themselves and others while on campus. In this way, we may all enjoy as much of a return to normalcy on campus as possible.
Please familiarize yourself with MSUB's health and safety procedures by watching this video.
This Voluntary COVID-19 Self-Reporting form is for employees, students, and visitors. This form is vital to the health and safety of our campus community. Should any student, staff, faculty, or visitors test positive for the coronavirus, we ask that you strongly consider notifying our MSUB COVID-19 Response Team through this form.
Your responses will assist the Response Team in taking swift and proper action to ensure additional disinfecting and safety protocols are implemented on campus immediately.
Note: we cannot require you to complete this form; however, we hope that you choose to complete this form, if necessary, to help us protect our community. We will ensure confidentiality to the best of our ability; however, we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality due to activities that may need to occur to ensure the health and safety of our campus community.
Call Student Health Services at 406-657-2153 to schedule an appointment for Medical or Counseling services.
To protect patient privacy, the Montana University System cannot legally release the immediate location of individuals being screened for or confirmed to have COVID-19.
Confirmed and suspected cases are reported by the Montana Department of Health & Human Services. Montana’s Department of Health and Human Services tracks possible, negative, and confirmed cases on their website .
In collaboration with RiverStone Health, MSU Billings conducts its own contact tracing, following RiverStone Health and CDC guidelines. MSUB remains in frequent communication with RiverStone Health regarding monitoring, testing, and tracing efforts as well as advised quarantine and isolation protocols, and will continue to follow the guidance from local, state, and federal health officials.
If Montana University System campus communities have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases on their campus, they follow the lead of their local county health department to initiate appropriate quarantine and public health management protocols.
MSUB Recreation Center is open. Check Recreational Activities webpage for the latest hours of operation and info.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provides emergency assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
As a student enrolled at Montana State University Billings during the Spring 2021 semester and one who has completed the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA), you could be eligible for a CARES Act grant provided through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Complete the Spring application as soon as possible, as this grant can help provide you with some financial relief.
COVID-19 and Work Study Update
The Department of Education has released guidance to schools regarding whether students can continue to submit timesheets for scheduled hours in the event that a school does not close but moves all classes to an online format. They CAN!
According to the Department of Education, the student can be paid for the Federal Work Study (or Montana Work Study) hours he, she, or they were scheduled to work for the spring semester. Per ED, the school can have the student submit a timesheet for the hours he or she was scheduled to work and pay Work Study wages based on that.
It is important that students do NOT submit timesheets for hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours. If a student worker does not have scheduled hours, students can be paid at the average number of hours the student has worked so far this spring term. Visit the Financial Aid webpage for more information.
What does the Yellowjacket Emergency Pantry offer?
The Yellowjacket Emergency Pantry currently provides food, hygiene, and school supplies
to all students at Montana State University Billings. We also work as advocates to
connect students to additional student support services.
Who can use the Yellowjacket Emergency Pantry?
Any student enrolled at Montana State University Billings, can use the Yellowjacket
Emergency Pantry. Students can use the pantry up to three times per semester. However,
if students require additional support, we can make arrangements on a case by case
basis.
Visit the Emergency Pantry page for more information.
The Montana State University Billings’ Student Crisis fund has been established to help currently enrolled students on the path to academic success during a personal and unexpected crisis or hardship. Whether they need to replace personal belongings after a devastating fire, cannot afford necessary prescriptions, or are unable to pay for an emergency medical procedure, the fund provides financial assistance. Through this fund, students discover the very essence of the Yellowjacket community. We provide care and support beyond counseling and community.
Visit the Crisis Fund page for more information and to apply.
This list of available financial resources is provided to assist students. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by MSU Billings.
HRDC COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
HRDC serves vulnerable populations in the community. The mission of the HRDC is to restore HOPE, by extending RESPECT, encouraging individuals to DREAM of a better future, and ultimately CHANGE the economic landscape of our communities.
For more information visit the HRDC About page.
MONTANA UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Unemployment Insurance is a joint state-federal program that provides cash benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.
For more information and to apply visit the Unemployment Insurance page.
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistanceprogram. SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card. This card can be used as a debit card to purchase eligible food in authorized retail food stores.
For more information and to apply visit the SNAP webpage.
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES
TANF cash assistance is a program providing temporary financial assistance to needy families.
For more information visit the TANF webpage.
211
211 can be accessed by phone or computer. A toll-free call to 211 connects you to a community resource specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations that provide critical services that can improve—and save—lives. All calls are private and confidential.
You’ll find information about: supplemental food and nutrition programs, shelter and housing options, utilities assistance, emergency information and disaster relief, and more.
7:30 am – 1:30 p.m., M-F
7:30 am – 2:00 p.m., M-F
Monday-Friday:
Breakfast: 7:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Lunch:11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Monday-Thursday, Sunday:
Dinner: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday:
Dinner: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Brunch: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
7:30 am – 3:00 p.m., M-F
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., M-F
For research assistance, email library@msubillings or call 406-657-1662.
Contact information for DSS staff are below. Visit their webpage for more info.
University campus:
City College campus:
The eLearning D2L home page and log-in site
A laptop loaner program is available to provide a loaner laptop to currently enrolled students who do not have a computer. Requests can be made by filling out a Laptop Loaner Application.
MSUB students, staff, faculty, and even alumni can get exclusive savings and prices, including up to 30% off select Windows PCs, Dell electronics, and accessories through the MSUB Dell portal.
Visit our web portal to browse available options.
Visit the Academic Support Center webpage for hours of operation and services available.
Visit the Housing and Residence Life webpage for specific housing and contact info.
Following Montana Governor Bullock’s face covering directive, MSUB requires all students, staff, faculty, visitors, vendors—everyone to wear a
face covering when inside MSUB university and City College campus buildings and in
partially-enclosed outdoor spaces. Face coverings are also required when outside on
campus if six feet of physical distancing cannot be properly maintained.
You do not need to wear a face covering in the following situations:
Children under the age of five and those who cannot physically remove a face covering without assistance, or those who have requested and received a necessary accommodation are not required to wear face coverings. All children between the ages of two and four, however, are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering. Children under the age of two should not wear a face covering.
If any employee has a medical condition precluding them from wearing a face covering, they should notify their supervisor and Human Resources to apply for a medical accommodation or exemption through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Email employment@msubillings.edu or call 406-657-2278 to start the application process.
To protect patient privacy, the Montana University System cannot legally release the personal information and location of individuals being screened for or confirmed to have COVID-19.
Confirmed and suspected cases will be reported by the Montana Department of Health & Human Services. Montana’s Department of Health and Human Services tracks possible, negative, and confirmed cases on their website.
In the event individuals from Montana University System campus communities were confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, the campus would follow the lead of their local county health department to initiate appropriate quarantine and public health management protocols. RiverStone Health is the health department for Yellowstone County and conducts all contact tracing for Yellowstone County, as required by Montana law.
All members of the MSUB community (students, faculty, or staff and visitors/vendors) are asked to strongly consider notifying MSUB’s COVID-19 Response Team through the Voluntary COVID-19 Self-Reporting Form should you test positive for COVID-19. By completing this form, the MSUB COVID-19 Response Team will have the pertinent information needed to take swift and proper action to ensure additional disinfecting and safety protocols are implemented immediately. Note that you are not required to complete this form, however by doing so you are helping to protect our community. We will ensure confidentiality to the best of our ability, however, cannot guarantee complete confidentiality due to activities that may need to occur to ensure the health and safety of our campus community.
It is our sincere hope that faculty, students, staff, and visitors will appreciate and follow the wisdom associated with wearing a face covering to help protect the safety of themselves and others while on campus. In this way, we may all enjoy as much of a return to normalcy on campus as possible.
Each department is encouraged to display health and safety signage as an added reminder for individuals to practice the health and safety protocols enacted by the CDC and MSUB. MSUB-branded printable signage can be found on the COVID-19 Central webpage under COVID-19 Resources. Additional COVID-19 web and video resources can also be found in that same section.
The latest MSUB COVID-19 updates will be posted on the COVID-19 Central webpage. Please check this page regularly for updates.
Follow these steps below to sign up to receive Emergency Notifications via text messages:
Please familiarize yourself with MSUB's health and safety procedures by watching this video.
This Voluntary COVID-19 Self-Reporting form is for employees, students, and visitors. This form is vital to the health and safety of our campus community. Should any student, staff, faculty, or visitors test positive for the coronavirus, we ask that you strongly consider notifying our MSUB COVID-19 Response Team through this form.
Your responses will assist the Response Team in taking swift and proper action to ensure additional disinfecting and safety protocols are implemented on campus immediately.
Note: we cannot require you to complete this form; however, we hope that you choose to complete this form, if necessary, to help us protect our community. We will ensure confidentiality to the best of our ability; however, we cannot guarantee complete confidentiality due to activities that may need to occur to ensure the health and safety of our campus community.