By Kelly Lewis
If the number of COVID positive cases continue to rise, there is a chance the return to in-person learning on Monday, February 15 may be delayed, according to President Rev. John Denning, C.S.C. during a Zoom session yesterday afternoon.
Students who quizzed Denning and a panel of college leaders about the current pause and plans for the remainder of the semester during the meeting were told by the President that there is a possibility the plan to return to in-person learning on Monday could change. He said he would send out an announcement tomorrow, Friday February 12.
“If we see a high positivity rate, then we will reevaluate pretty quickly,” Denning said.
Denning said that even if COVID cases remain low enough to return to in-person learning, the College will use a gradual phased-in approach with the facilities: dining, recreation, and the library.
“We will ask students if they need to eat in the dining facility to have only one person at the table,” Denning said.
With the hope to return to campus, Denning said the challenge will be limiting student social circles to prevent the spread of the virus.
The meeting included reminders to students to adhere to COVID guidelines and protocols put in place for the health and safety of the community. Provost DeBrenna Agbényiga said students have to be mindful of their behavioral patterns, such as wiping down desks and wearing masks properly.
“We are all part of the same Stonehill community, and we are all responsible for making sure we are adhering to the protocols that we have in place because that is how we stay safe, healthy, and continue with in-person learning,” Agbényiga said.
Student Body President Abe Medeiros said he thinks students can return to in-person learning for the rest of the semester if they make the right decisions.
“It is everybody’s responsibility, every day, to make sure they are comfortable with the choices they are making,” Medeiros said. “It is important you are looking out for your peers and classmates when you are making decisions.”
About 220 participants attended the meeting. The second half of the meeting was dedicated to answering students’ questions.
Director of Athletics Dean O’Keefe entered the panel to answer questions about the future of spring sports and the sports complex reopening.
“The sports complex will certainly start to welcome students back again in modified forms to reduce density further,” O’Keefe said.
He said the goal is to allow students to exercise while being safe, which involves a slow and steady approach.
Vice President for Student Affairs Pauline Dobrowski, said the College will continue to allow parents to pick up students if they need to go home for a period of time. However, she said all unnecessary travel should be limited.
“If someone is coming to campus and they are taking them out to lunch then bringing them back, it is increasing that level of exposure, so we are trying to limit that type of activity,” Dobrowski said.
On the issue of testing, Dobrowski said students who have continued twice a week surveillance testing will not have to complete any additional tests prior to return to campus.
“For students who were away from campus and were not able to complete their two tests, you need to receive a negative PCR COVID-19 test prior to being cleared to return,” Dobrowski said.
Students received an email on Monday containing the same information regarding the return testing process.
Dean of Students Kevin Piskadlo said he encourages students to reach out if there are remaining questions.
“We know the steps we can take to make this work, and I count on all of us to do that,” Denning said. “We will continue to remind one another of that and challenge one another to step up and make some positive choices that are going to keep our community well and healthy.”
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