March 8, 2021
Questions About the Safety Protocols
Dear Assumption Student,

Thank you to those students who have inquired about the COVID-19 safety protocols which were implemented to promote the health and safety of the campus community.

In order to provide students with an understanding of the reasons behind the protocols that are in place, on Thursday evening, members of the Health Protocols Group will host a meeting for students. Details may be found below. I did, however, want to respond to the inquiries that we received. Please find responses to those inquiries below.

The inquiries focus on five topics:
  1. Allowing commuters to access campus
  2. Residential student policies for off-campus travel
  3. Hours of operation for Taylor, Charlie’s and the Post Office
  4. Finishing the spring semester in-person rather than remote
  5. Inviting student-athletes to remain on campus after Easter to train

Despite the premature easing of restrictions by some states, we must be mindful that the pandemic remains a serious public health threat with a one-week average in the United States of 58,745 positive COVID-19 cases each day. These figures are higher than last spring when we were forced to transition to remote learning. Last week’s positivity rate in Worcester was above 15 percent. Compounding the high positivity rates are warnings from epidemiologists that a variant of the virus will likely result in another spike in positive cases in the coming weeks. As a residential community, we must remain vigilant if students are to remain on campus for the remainder of the semester.

Allowing Commuters to Access Campus
All commuters are in the University’s testing protocol and return home to a stable, small pod of individuals. Residential students, however, can spread the virus quickly across campus given the density of residence halls, which could result in the Department of Public Health ordering us to either shelter-in-place or transition to complete remote learning. This is what occurred last semester when there was a spike in COVID-19 cases among in-residence students following Columbus Day Weekend when many students returned from trips off-campus. Thus far, the presence of commuter students on campus has not posed a threat to our community nor have they interrupted University operations. We do, however, remind commuter students to adhere to the commitment they made in signing the Community Promise.

Residential Student Policies for Off-campus Travel
With regard to the new campus exit procedure, this is an effort to support University and the City of Worcester’s contact tracing efforts for those who leave campus and test positive for COVID-19. Originally scheduled to be in place February 8 when we resumed in-person instruction, due to unforeseen circumstances, the completion of the project was delayed.

Finishing the Spring Semester In-person
As shared at the beginning of the semester, the University will make a decision by March 25 if students may remain on campus during and after Easter. Know that our goal remains for students to remain on campus, but only if safe to do so. Students have been clear in communicating this to the University and we will take this into account.

Hours of Operation for Taylor, Charlie’s, and the Post Office
The hours for Taylor and Charlie’s were not reduced, rather extended, this semester. A continental breakfast was added from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the weekends with an extra half-hour for breakfast Monday through Friday in Taylor. Last semester, Charlie’s closed at 9 p.m.; it now closes at midnight. Also, Dunkin’ Donuts is now open on campus.

With regard to the Post Office, I am pleased to share that an additional hour has been added to the hours of operation. The post office will now be open from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.

Inviting Student-athletes to Remain on Campus After Easter to Train
While no decision has been made relative to the spring season, if there is a season, in-season student-athletes currently living on campus must remain on campus and in the testing protocol. A decision with regard to all students - including student-athletes out of season- remaining on campus will be made by March 25. 

Compared to other colleges and universities in Massachusetts and elsewhere, Assumption reports a low COVID-19 positivity rate, which is due to the safety protocols that we have in place and your continued compliance with those safety protocols. I understand you may have additional questions about the protocols. On Thursday night at 6 p.m., the University invites students to a meeting with the Health Protocols Group (Click here to attend). This group advises the University on the development and assessment of the safety protocols and may address any of your concerns.

You’ve been patient. You’ve complied with the safety protocols. We appreciate your efforts. This is a difficult time and an abnormal situation, but one in which each member of our community has risen to endure. I encourage you to continue to demonstrate the same resilience that has inspired you during this last year. I also remind you that this is a time when we all must make sacrifices for the common good of the campus and the greater Worcester communities.

Thank you once again for the opportunity to answer your questions and concerns. Let us be hopeful that the public health situation will allow students to finish the semester here, on campus.

Sincerely,
Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D.
President
500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA, 01609  (508) 767-7000