For nearly two years, students, faculty, and staff have endured the challenges presented by the pandemic while making decisions that benefit the common good of our campus community. We’ve socially distanced, worn masks, and participated in regular testing. No doubt this has been difficult, but like those who have come before us in times of difficulty, the Assumption community has adapted, endured, and thrived. Today we are doing so again by adjusting our campus health and safety protocols to reflect the latest developments in the pandemic and feedback from the community.

Some of the changes and helpful reminders in this message include:

Note that while changes are underway, if necessary, we may have to adjust again based on the number of cases and conditions on campus as we continue our tireless efforts to promote your health and safety.

Within 24 to 36 hours of the lab receiving the Assumption samples, students and employees receive an email with their test result. The email sent from CareEvolve@LKNotification.com will now serve as the primary means of notifying you of a negative or positive test. Please read all messages from CareEvolve@LKNotification.com in a timely manner, as University identifications are deactivated upon a positive test.

Isolate for five days from the date of your positive test, then return on day six if you are asymptomatic and are fever-free for at least 24 hours. If you are symptomatic on day six, isolate for the full ten days, then return to campus on day 11. Students who live within 200 miles of campus must return home to isolate; others will be housed in apartments set aside for isolation on campus with the possibility of other students who also have tested positive. Housing positive students together will ensure that they are not alone.

Due to the infectious nature and high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, contact tracing is no longer an effective mitigation strategy. As such, the University will no longer be contact tracing, but you are encouraged to download and register on the Commonwealth’s contact tracing app, MassNotify. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that those exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 and are not fully vaccinated should quarantine for at least five days and wear a KN-95 or N-95 mask for ten days following exposure. Those who are fully vaccinated and have been exposed should watch for symptoms and quarantine if they become symptomatic.

Mask wearing continues to be required. Cloth and surgical masks are no longer effective in protecting oneself from the Omicron variant. Members of our community are strongly encouraged to use a N95 or KN95 mask for additional protection. If you do not have a N95 or KN95 mask, you should double mask. As a reminder, eligible community members must receive their COVID-19 booster by Tuesday, February 1. The CDC has changed the definition of fully vaccinated to include the booster once eligible for one.

Local hospitals and urgent cares are over capacity and rife with COVID-19. While health care facilities will provide emergency care, know that wait times are abnormally long. The campus community is strongly encouraged to continue to make responsible decisions and refrain from situations that may result in the need for avoidable emergency care.

We understand that some members of our community are experiencing challenges as we approach the two-year mark of the pandemic. You are not alone. There are several resources available to students right here on campus. Please click here for more information on how the University is prepared to support students during this time. (Faculty and staff are invited to use the free and confidential Employee Assistance Program.)

Throughout the pandemic, members of our community have demonstrated countless acts of selflessness to protect one another. Each of us has made difficult yet responsible decisions to promote the health and safety of our campus. Those actions have created an environment where students could return to campus, begin taking classes, and enjoy all that Assumption offers. In-person and together. Thank you once again for your enduring efforts as we collectively work to keep one another safe and here on campus.

Sincerely,

Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., President

Deborah Cady Melzer, Ph.D., Vice President for Student Affairs

Conway Campbell, Ed.D., Vice President for Student Success

Fr. Richard Lamoureux, A.A., Ph.D., Vice President for Mission

Linda Rosenlund, Acting Vice President for University Advancement

Gregory Weiner, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Peter D. Wells, Vice President for Finance and Administration