By Anastasia Pumphrey
The College modified its COVID testing policy for all residential and commuter students as of last Thursday, requiring a second weekly test.
The email sent out said that students no longer need to register for a second test, that any day between Monday and Friday could be chosen, however the message did emphasize that the second test could not be on a day consecutive to the student’s registered day.
Mike Shulansky, associate director of communications and media relations, said that this decision was made with the guidance of public health officials whom the College have been watching closely in the midst of the pandemic.
“Testing was a critical part of our success last semester,” Shulansky said. “It allowed us to minimize the spread [of COVID-19].” He said that the decision to add a second weekly test was done for extra precaution against the raging virus and to help mitigate any spread on campus.
Shulansky said that this new policy will be a rolling one that will be reevaluated as the semester goes on. “The decision will be made to stop this [policy] depending on how we’re doing in the community,” he said.
Senior and executive board member of Chapel Choir Meaghan Brumble said that some clubs and activities had already been required to test twice a week in the fall, so to these students no real change would be felt. “I personally liked having the extra reassurance of the second test, so I knew for sure I didn’t have the virus,” Brumble said.
Other students, like junior Kelly Lewis, felt differently about the change. “I’m kind of torn on how I feel. I am happy that Stonehill can provide the extra testing and hopefully keep the campus safer, but at the same time it is a bother to get tested twice a week, especially because you can’t test on consecutive days and they only do testing on weekdays. I am scheduled to test on Thursday, so my only other option is to test Monday or Tuesday and I am very busy those days,” Lewis said.
Junior Emma Mawn, a field hockey athlete, said that she feels safer knowing the College is taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID. “It really shows how much Stonehill cares about our health and safety,” Mawn said.
Mawn said that she is hopeful for another successful semester in the spring. “My hope for the semester as far as COVID restrictions and safety goes is that students will adhere to the guidelines Stonehill is giving us so that we’re able to continue to study in person,” she said.
“My hope is that Stonehill will be able to obtain COVID vaccines and distribute them to students and staff,” Kelly Lewis said. While Health Services nor the College have reached out to the student body about vaccination procedures yet, the Biology Department hosted a webinar meeting yesterday about vaccine progress going on in the country that continued the discussion about COVID and campus life.
“The fall went really well,” Mike Shulansky said. “The positivity rate was 0.1%... I felt safe on campus, and that’s a meaningful thing.”
With onboard testing underway this week and spring move-in only days away, he said the College will be aiming to continue its success from the fall as it closes out the year.
“We learned a lot from the onboarding process last semester. This has gone very smoothly… the students have done well.” Shulansky said. “At the end of the day, everyone on campus does their part, but we know testing made the most impact.”
Comments