Feb. 12: COVID-19 Update from Fr. John

Dear Stonehill Community,

I write to thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work through this remote period to best ensure the health and safety of our community. Following a review of testing trends and in consultation with our medical consultant and public health partners, I am pleased to share that we will resume in-person classes on Monday, February 15th. This transition back to in-person learning will require a great commitment and diligence on our part, and I ask for your careful attention and adherence to our community guidelines and expectations, which will optimize our safety and success moving forward.

As we begin to ease some of our campus restrictions, please know that the following guidelines will be temporarily in place while we monitor our testing results:

• Twice per-week testing will remain in place for all residential and commuter students, as well as faculty and staff who are on campus on a regular basis.

• Students will have in-person access to the Library for study and research. To maximize mask wearing and physical distancing, food consumption will not be permitted at this time, and table occupancy limits will be noted within the space. Please be aware that Ace’s Place will be closed to support these restrictions.

• To limit interactions without masks, students are encouraged to continue with to-go dining options. Students needing to eat within dining areas or common spaces will be limited to one person per table.

• The Sports Complex will reopen on Monday with reduced capacity. Additional information regarding accessing the Sports Complex will soon follow from the Athletics Department.

• Student-athletes will return to organized activities in a phased-in approach, and a communication will be sent shortly.

• Masses will be celebrated in-person with limited capacity. The Sunday 7:00 p.m. Mass will continue to be livestreamed. Students are welcome to attend Mass this Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m.

• In-person co-curricular activities (adhering to physical distancing and State gathering guidelines) and in-person work study shifts will resume.

• Common areas in the residence halls will be accessible at 50% occupancy, with strict adherence to physical distancing and mask wearing guidelines. Students are expected to continue to only access their individual residence hall room during this time.

• Outside visitors will continue to be restricted from campus at this time. However, food delivery will be permitted.

• In order to limit exposure to COVID-19, students are expected to continue to restrict all off-campus travel unless absolutely necessary.

Our community’s safety remains our top priority. Our adherence to these health and safety measures depends on each of us being accountable for ourselves and one another. I recognize this is not an easy time, but in order for us to be as successful as we were this past fall, I ask that you be vigilant in your efforts to protect yourself and fellow community members. Any violations of our policies and protocols will result in disciplinary action.

As we know, the start of this semester has presented some challenges, yet I remain confident that together we can strengthen our resolve to take all necessary precautions, stay on course, and enjoy a productive rest of the semester. Please continue to access supportive resources as needed and be assured of my prayers for our Stonehill community.

Sincerely,

(Rev.) John Denning, C.S.C.
President