Nov. 13: Preparing for Winter Break

Dear Resident Student,

As we near the end of the Fall 2020 semester, we want to express our deepest gratitude for all you have done to fulfill the Skyhawk Promise and “protect the nest.” As you begin to prepare to leave campus for the winter break, we want to provide you with some important information.

Residence Halls close for the semester on Wednesday, November 25th at 10am. Beginning Friday, November 20th, students being transported home by a family member of a friend can be picked up between 8am-8pm without having to register them as a visitor. Please note, however, that all campus visitors are expected to wear a mask, complete a self-checker, and not enter any campus building, including the residence halls. Please know this remains true even if a student is completely moving out of the residence halls.

The COVID-19 Testing Center will remain open between 8:30am-4:30pm on Monday, November 23rd and Tuesday, November 24th for any student wishing to test prior to returning home. No appointment is needed.

Prior to leaving for the break, please be sure to do the following:

• Unplug your electronics (including fridges), make sure all food contents are emptied out, and place a towel underneath the fridge to soak up any water
• Remove all perishable food items from your room
• Remove all items/clothing from the floor of your room
• Remove all trash/recyclables from your room and place them in the central trash/recycling rooms
• Set the heat to approximately 65 degrees
• Turn off your light
• Lock your bedroom door
• Complete the Student Status Form if changing your resident status for the spring

Since the spring semester will be here before you know it, please be reminded that the Massachusetts Department of Health is requiring college students to receive a flu vaccine. As a result, students will not be permitted to return to the residence halls for the spring semester if this requirement is not met. In order to confirm compliance with the State, students who received their flu vaccine from a provider off campus are asked to submit verification of your vaccine to Health Services, preferably by November 15th. Additional information regarding flu vaccines can be found through Health Services.

Residence halls will reopen for students on Saturday, January 23rd and Sunday, January 24th. Please know that additional information regarding move-in and the spring onboarding process will be made available in the coming weeks.

Again, thank you for your collective efforts in keeping our community safe - we couldn’t have done it without you! We wish you a successful end to the semester and send our warmest regards for a happy and healthy holiday season!

Kristen Pierce, ’01, Ed.D.
Director of Residence Life