Dear Assumption Faculty and Staff,
I hope this message finds you and your family healthy, well, and adjusting to this temporary mode of living, learning, and working. I again wish to thank you for quickly adapting to this situation in order to maintain our unparalleled commitment to serve our students and one another during this time. Your dedication to our mission is demonstrated each day when you log on to teach a class, respond to a student’s inquiry, engage with external partners, and other endeavors that ensure College operations continue uninterrupted. I appreciate that you perform these duties in your homes that now also serve as schools, day cares, offices, and for other nontraditional uses.
EXTENSION OF STAY-AT-HOME ADVISORY
On Tuesday of this week, Governor Charlie Baker extended the stay-at-home advisory through Monday, May 4. In support this effort to discourage the spread of COVID-19, Assumption College will comply with this advisory and extend the temporary remote working arrangements through May 4.
CAMPUS ACCESS
Offices will remain physically closed during this extended period and only those employees deemed essential for the continuity of College operations are permitted on campus. The exemption for faculty remains so that they may access their offices for teaching purposes only.
RESUMPTION OF MAIL DELIVERY
Delivery of mail to offices resumed today. Mail delivery will occur each Thursday and Monday, and will be completed by 3 p.m. Division Vice Presidents will designate one person and an alternate individual who may briefly access campus to retrieve mail so that invoices may be processed and other important items addressed. Access to campus for this purpose is only permitted Monday through Friday. No access is permitted on the weekend. The Vice Presidents have provided to Campus Police the names of those permitted to come to campus. That list of names will be at the gatehouse and designated employees must show their Assumption-issued identification upon arrival; they may not be accompanied by anyone, even if the individual plans to wait in the vehicle.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER WEEK SCHEDULE
Per the Academic Calendar, classes will not meet on Holy Thursday, April 9, however, all College offices will remain open (remotely) and staff must be available from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that day to respond to students’ and families’ requests and to ensure the continuity of operations. Those who wish to take the day off may use vacation time. In preparation for Easter and to celebrate the Resurrection, College offices will be closed and classes will not meet on Good Friday, April 10 through Easter Monday, April 13. Classes will resume and staff will return to work (remotely) on Tuesday, April 14.
REMINDER
Please know that if you are among those permitted on campus and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, are living with someone exhibiting such symptoms, or have been exposed to someone with symptoms, you are prohibited from campus. While most employees are working remotely, there are a small number of employees and students who remain on campus and it is important that they are not exposed to COVID-19.
Thank you once again for your flexibility and patience as we adapt to the current situation, continuing to carry out our responsibilities while protecting the Assumption community.
Though perhaps stressful, one benefit of this stay-at-home advisory period is the unexpected time we are able to spend with our families. Filomena and I have enjoyed having two of our three children home and gathering for dinner each night. I hope you, too, can find time to pause and reflect upon the many blessings that God has bestowed upon you. Know that I will continue to pray that you and your family remain safe and healthy.
As we have often reminded students in the past weeks, Hounds are Stronger Together
Sincerely,
