Dear Assumption Students,
Happy New Year! I hope you are enjoying your break and finding some time to relax and rejuvenate for the spring semester. As you are aware, President Cesareo announced last week that classes begin remotely Monday, January 25. Hybrid, in-person classes are scheduled to begin on Monday, February 8, if safe to do so. Assumption has delayed the opening of residence halls until the weekend of Jan. 29, 30 and 31.
In preparation for your return, a few reminders:
Pre-arrival Requirements:
- All students on-campus this spring must receive a flu vaccine before they return to campus and upload documentation to Medicat.
- Those traveling to campus from out of state must register with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Students are strongly encouraged to self-quarantine for two weeks prior to their return to campus.
- All students must receive a negative PCR COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to coming to campus and upload the results of that test to Medicat. If you are unable to get a COVID-19 test, Health Services is offering the PCR test on campus Tuesday, Jan. 26 and Wednesday, Jan. 27 for residential students and Thursday, Jan. 28 for commuting students.
- You must return home after your test. Students are not permitted in campus buildings other than the Plourde.
Residential Student Move-in
- All new residential students (i.e. did not live on campus in the fall) will move-in on Friday, Jan. 29 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Members of the Class of 2024 and 2021 will move in on Saturday, Jan. 30 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Members of the Class of 2022 and 2023 will move in on Sunday, Jan. 31 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Students may only have one parent, family member, etc. for move-in days.
- Residential life will send to you a check-in time closer to Move-in Weekend.
- All residential students must report to the Plourde Recreation Center for testing before receiving their room keys.
- Once moved-in, students will begin their quarantine period.
Commuter Student Check-in
- Commuter students should plan to come to campus on Thursday, Jan. 28 to receive their first COVID-19 test and to schedule their twice a week testing regimen.
- Commuter students will be permitted to come to campus the week of Feb. 1 to receive their required COVID-19 tests.
- Commuter students will begin in-person classes on Monday, Feb. 8 with residential students.
Quarantine and Health Protocols Information
- Students are required to quarantine for 7 days after their baseline test in the Testing Center and receive 2 negative tests. Students will be tested upon arrival to campus, then 5 days later.
- Students on the meal plan who are in quarantine will have food delivered to their residence hall until their first negative test result.
- Beginning Monday, Feb. 1, Taylor, Charlies and Dunkin' Donuts will be grab and go only.
- After the end of the quarantine period, students will not be permitted to leave campus for any reason except for a medical appointment, academic internships or approved off-campus work (students should submit for approval to stulife@assumption.edu). Students will be required to use grocery/food delivery services. The positivity rate in Worcester is quite high now which requires us to tighten our campus bubble.
- After Move-in Weekend, no outside guests (including family members) are permitted on campus.
- All our fall health protocols (wearing a mask, social distancing, twice a week testing, no inter-hall visitation, etc.) will remain in effect throughout the spring semester. Students and family members should review the updated Community Promise and University plan.
Unfortunately, the presence of COVID-19 is rather high in Worcester, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and throughout the country. All indicators are much higher now than when we opened campus this past fall or when you left campus in November. However, we know that we can have a successful in-person spring semester when everyone in our community follows our campus health protocols. We know this can be difficult and we appreciate the sacrifices we are all making to prioritize in-person living and learning this spring semester. We are grateful for everyone’s commitment to our common community at Assumption and we look forward to welcoming you back to campus soon.
Stay well and safe!
Deb Cady Melzer
Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students
#HoundsStrongerTogether
