By Anastasia Pumphrey
New COVID-19 guidelines were sent out Wednesday morning containing the news that residential students are now able to visit others’ rooms within their own residence hall, as well as changes to the dining commons protocols.
The email was sent around 10 a.m. by DeBrenna Agbényiga, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Pauline Dobrowski, Vice President for Student Affairs.
“We want to express our appreciation for your continued diligence as we ease back into in-person learning. We recognize that this has not been an easy time, and yet we have been impressed by the many ways in which you have all looked out for each other and done your part to protect the nest,” the email said.
Agbényiga and Dobrowski said that while resident students are now permitted to have students in their bedrooms, capacity is limited to both roommates of the room plus two additional individuals from the same residence hall. They stressed physical distancing and mask wearing as well as added precautions.
In regard to dining, Agbényiga and Dobrowski’s email said that students were permitted to sit with one other person, however they are expected to remain six feet apart.
The email said that parents, siblings, grandparents, and legal guardians are now permitted to visit campus as well, as long as they are registered with a guest form and adhere to all COVID-19 protocols including not entering any residence halls or administrative buildings.
Mike Labella, Director of Community Standards and Title IX Deputy, said that “It has not been easy” to fight through this virus as a community. “The remote learning period was a reminder that everyone needs to remain committed to doing their part, follow the guidelines, and make safe decisions for themselves and the community,” he said.
Labella said that at this time, residence hall common rooms will still be restricted to 50 percent capacity, but that as long as this capacity is not being exceeded, students are allowed to utilize the space as they would like, such as for eating or relaxing. He said that these rules still applied to common areas within suites as well as public common areas.
As far as travelling off campus goes, Labella was explicit in saying that travelling off campus is not restricted to residential students, however the College is recommending that nonessential travel be limited. He said that a form no longer needs to be filled out to travel off campus.
Labella addressed the area of confusion for many students surrounding travelling in cars with other students for essential trips.
“Even when masked, travelling in a car with someone is a high-risk activity and could lead to virus transmission if one were to be infected. In fact, the close proximity that a car allows would, at a minimum, automatically make one a close contact. So while travelling off campus in a car with others is not a violation of our current policy, we continue to strongly discourage this from happening.”
Labella also said that the same community policies that apply to residential students apply to commuter students as well.
“Commuters will need to adhere to the protocols on campus and follow the same guidelines as they travel, interact with family members, employers, and co-workers at their jobs and internships. Commuters are also required to complete the ‘Student Self-Checker’ before coming to campus and remain home at any sign of illness,” he said.
Labella said that he understands students’ desire to be with their friends and make memories in these four short years of college, however he said that the College is doing its best to encourage friends to gather in appropriate areas within the guidelines for now.
“I wish this virus was behind us and that we could return to a time without restrictions, face-coverings, and physical distancing,” he said. “[But] we can do this. I am thankful for your resiliency and commitment to protecting our nest.”
Comments