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Dear Students,

We hope this email finds you all well and having enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. We write today to share some important information as we prepare for the spring semester. Please review this information carefully and direct any questions to the director of your graduate program.

Similar to the start of fall, all graduate and certificate students attending in-person courses as well as ALL Graduate Education students enrolled in practicums and/or teacher residency will be required to participate in onboarding testing and receive a negative PCR COVID-19 test before coming to campus. This onboard test is required of all graduate students, even if they will only be on campus once during the semester.

Students may either produce documentation of a negative PCR COVID-19 test (taken no earlier than January 11th for MA residents or within 72 hours of arrival to campus for out of state students), or students may test on campus. Our Testing Center will be available once again to assist students with this process, and onboard testing for graduate and certificate students will be held the weeks of January 11th and 19th. To view the Testing Center Onboarding Schedule, please refer to the Spring Return to Campus page. Please remember that the onboard test must be a PCR test.

If a graduate or certificate student plans to be on campus for any reason during the semester (even if just once), they must get an onboard test.


Onboarding Testing Requirements:

  • If onboarding using the Stonehill Testing Center on campus, students who live within a reasonable driving distance (within three hours) will be required to test between January 11th-22nd and then return home to await their negative results before returning to campus.
  • MPS in Data Analytics students MUST test at least 48 hours before the first day of residency on January 21st. Additional onboard testing hours will be available the week of January 11th.
  • Graduate Inclusive Education students in residencies, practica, or classes that will meet in person are required to complete onboard testing.
  • Current guidance from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is that all students coming from out of state must receive a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of coming to campus. As such, out of state students must plan accordingly.
  • Students that are attending classes completely online and are not part of any Inclusive Education practica or residencies are exempt from onboarding testing.


Surveillance Testing Requirements:

The following are the requirements for surveillance testing (testing throughout the semester):

  • Students enrolled in the IMC program who are enrolled in Online Courses ONLY are not required to undergo surveillance testing unless they plan on visiting the campus for any reason (using the Library, etc.).
  • Students enrolled in the MPS in Data Analytics program are required to get tested every week they have an on-campus residency. It is recommended that these students test on Monday or Tuesday of the residency week.
  • Graduate Inclusive Education students in the Stonehill Teacher Residency or practica are required to be tested weekly. Please note, a signed waiver is required for participation in Residency or practica.
  • Students enrolled in the Photonic certificate program are required to get tested weekly.

As we all know, state guidance is continually evolving. We will keep you informed of changes as they are announced and how they may impact the start of the spring semester. For ongoing information and updates, please visit the College’s Spring Return to Campus website.

Lastly, please be reminded that the Massachusetts Department of Health is requiring all students to receive a flu vaccine. In order to confirm compliance with the Commonwealth, students are asked to submit verification of their vaccination to Health Services as soon as possible. Additional information regarding flu vaccines can be found here. Students who have not demonstrated proof of receiving a flu vaccine will be required to engage remotely until documentation has been verified.

Know of our best wishes as the semester comes to a close and may you and your loved ones have a joyous holiday season.

Sincerely,

Pauline Dobrowski, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs


Kevin Piskadlo, Ph. D.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students