Feb. 8: Virtual Student Meeting and Return Testing Process

Dear Students,

While it has been a challenging start to the spring semester, we are hopeful that this is a moment when taking a step back allows us to move forward together successfully. As we look forward to welcoming you all back on campus and resuming in-person learning, we wanted to share information regarding an upcoming student virtual meeting and outline our return testing process for those of you who are away from campus.

Virtual Student Meeting

On Wednesday, February 10th from 4-5pm, Fr. John Denning and other College leaders will host a virtual student meeting during which updates will be shared and an opportunity to ask questions will be provided. Please register in advance, and you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the meeting.

Return Testing Process

As noted in last week's communication, our intent is to return to in-person learning on Monday, February 15th, and this involves a return testing process. Resident and commuter students who continued to participate in their twice/week surveillance testing do not need to complete an additional test prior to February 15th.

Resident and commuter students who were away from campus and did not complete their two tests the week of February 9th must receive a negative PCR COVID-19 test prior to being cleared to return. This testing must be completed as follows:

• Students may test at home and submit documentation of a negative PCR COVID-19 test to the Testing Center prior to their move-in. Please note that the test must be taken within 72 hours of arrival to campus. Rapid antigen tests will not be accepted.

• Students who live within a three-hour drive of campus are required to test on Thursday, February 11th or Friday, February 12th during Testing Center hours (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) and then return home to await their negative results. Resident students cleared to move in may return on Saturday, February 13th and Sunday, February 14th.

• Resident students who live a greater distance are required to register with Residence Life by February 10th and will be assigned a return testing day. Students will then need to quarantine until negative results are received. Due to the limited number of quarantine spaces on campus, students should register as early as possible.

• Students who have recovered from COVID-19 within the past 90 days do not need to retest at this time. 

Please be aware that Stonehill will be requiring all community members who previously tested positive for COVID-19 over 180 days ago to re-commence surveillance testing. You will be contacted by Health Services directly to start this process if it applies to you.

The Testing Center has created a new Help Email to assist with submission of PCR tests and to answer questions and a Help Text Line at (508) 379-3915. To receive timely responses from the Testing Center, we encourage you to use the new help lines.

Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Sincerely,

Pauline Dobrowski
Vice President for Student Affairs

Monique Avila & Doreen Vovcsko
Stonehill COVID-19 Center Co-Directors