I hope this message finds you well enjoying the Christmas break. As we all know, the pandemic continues to evolve, and as such, the health protocols necessary to prevent the spread continue to change. Assumption University continues to follow CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health Guidance. The below includes updated health protocols to support the health and well-being of our University and Worcester communities.

Before the Christmas break, the University strongly encouraged members of our community to obtain the COVID-19 booster once they are eligible. Given the rapid spread of the Omicron variant and the significant decline in the public health situation in the last two weeks in Massachusetts, the University now requires all students, faculty, and staff to obtain the booster shot. (Note, individuals with an approved exemption do not need to get a booster shot.) This requirement is critical if the University can achieve its goals of sustained, in-person classes and providing students a residential experience. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has opened five vaccination sites that accept walk-ins or appointments.

If you have already obtained the booster shot, please upload documentation of such to Medicat.

We have made this decision due to the deteriorating public health situation on campus, in Worcester, and in Massachusetts. This includes:

Residence halls will open as planned on January 7, 8, 9, and classes will begin on January 10, 2022. We plan to begin classes in person, however, the University is prepared to transition to temporary remote learning, if necessary, once classes begin based on the number of positive cases on campus.

Students currently eligible for the booster shot must obtain such before returning to campus if they can obtain one. There are several sites throughout the country and Commonwealth offering the booster shot. (If students cannot obtain a booster shot before their return to campus, they must do so before February 1.) Students who are not yet eligible for the booster shot must obtain one within one week of their date of eligibility.

University employees currently eligible for the COVID-19 booster shot must obtain such no later than Thursday, January 6, the day before students return to campus, or by February 1 if they cannot obtain one. Employees who are not yet eligible for the booster must get the booster shot within one week of their date of eligibility.

Students and employees who test positive for COVID–19 and are asymptomatic are required to isolate for five days (students must isolate at home if they live within 200 miles of campus) and continue to wear a mask for an additional five days both inside and outside. Anyone positive with COVID-19 and symptomatic will continue to isolate for the full 10 days. Students must be cleared by Health Services to return to in-person classes.

Anyone exposed to a COVID-19 positive person who has not received the booster dose and are six months from their last Moderna or Pfizer vaccine dose (or two months from the last Johnson & Johnson dose) must quarantine for at least five days and wear a mask indoors and outdoors for an additional five days. Students who live within 200 miles of campus will quarantine at home.

Access to remote learning will only be offered to those in isolation or quarantine, as confirmed by University Health Services. Individuals testing positive off-campus or at home must upload a copy of their positive test result to Medicat. If necessary, the University is prepared to transition to remote learning should we experience a surge of COVID-19 on campus.  

The University will no longer require students, faculty, and staff to complete the daily symptom tracker or display the symptom tracker at the front gate. All members of the community will be required to show and swipe their University identification to access campus. Students who test positive for COVID-19 or are in quarantine due to an exposure are asked to complete the daily monitoring questionnaire in the symptom tracker. University identification for those who test positive for COVID-19 will be deactivated.

Guests may visit campus if they can demonstrate proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. There is no need to preregister to visit campus. Given the rapid increase in positive cases on campus, overnight guests will not be permitted at this time. This policy will be reconsidered once the semester is underway.

All vaccinated individuals are required to be tested twice per week, and unvaccinated individuals must test three times per week. The Testing Center will schedule tests to help our community with testing compliance. We ask that members of the campus community make their appointments during their onboarding test.

Masks are still required indoors for everyone regardless of vaccination status in the city of Worcester - this includes the common areas inside residence halls and apartments. Masks are required indoors and outdoors for anyone who has an exemption to the COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC has recommended that individuals upgrade their masks to K-95 or N-95 in light of the highly transmissible nature of the Omicron variant.

We know that ringing in 2022 can be a fun and exciting time. Please consider CDC guidance as you make your holiday plans. It will be up to all of us to think about our activity over the next week to be fully in person for classes the week of January 10. 

Please know the COVID-19 booster shot requirement, along with all the health protocols, are necessary as we continue to promote the health and safety of the campus community: students, faculty, staff, and their families. We know this is a challenging time, and we appreciate everyone’s work to support the common good. 

Should you have any questions or unique circumstances, please contact Student Affairs.

Sincerely,

Deborah Cady Melzer

Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students