To: The Wellesley Community
From: Sheilah Shaw Horton, Vice President and Dean of Students
Re: Supporting Our Students
Date: March 13, 2020
First, I want to assure everyone that there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus. This is an evolving situation, and we are continuing to monitor all developments at the local, state, and national levels.
As the news from yesterday’s announcement sinks in, students and faculty are busy finishing classes and preparing for the transition to remote instruction. Amid the tears of disappointment, students are also finding creative ways to come together and celebrate as many prepare to move back home. While there are many aspects of Wellesley’s COVID-19 response, the most important is protecting the health of our students, both those who are moving off campus and those who will remain, and supporting them in the days and weeks ahead. I want to share several important updates from Health Services and Student Life staff regarding the help that is available to students during this transition.
Meeting students’ health needs
Dr. Jennifer Schwartz, medical director of Health Services
Health Services is still open and will remain so. For students with a fever and/or cough, we ask that you call first so that we can determine if you can be helped over the phone or if it’s necessary for you to come in.
We can help students with medication refills if they do not have a primary care physician/prescriber at home. As long as you have been in Health Services within the past year, we will provide refills as appropriate through the summer. Students can request them now, or call us from home so that we can send prescriptions to a home pharmacy when needed.
If you haven’t already, please register with Health Services and sign up for our patient portal (Gateway) by calling the Newton-Wellesley Hospital registration line at 855.890.9241. You can still email us questions or concerns while you’re away.
Health Services is working on expanding its capacity to conduct virtual visits for students who are not on campus. This is another way we can stay connected and continue to assist with your health needs if you do not have a doctor at home. More to come on this soon.
All students who are on the Wellesley College Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) will have coverage for hospitalizations, specialty care, mental health care, and prescription medications throughout the United States and abroad, and have coverage for emergency and non-emergency care. To contact a representative, students should call 1.800.437.6448 or email info@univhealthplans.com. Students who waived the Wellesley College SHIP should contact their private health insurance company for questions about their plan coverage and benefits, provider network, and claim status.
Help with travel, packing, and moving
Helen Wang, director of Residential Life
Student Life and Residential Life staff are reviewing and responding to students who have made requests via the Star Rez form to stay on campus, receive financial assistance, or get a deadline extension to stay on campus past March 17.
Staff have been helping students arrange travel home, coordinate packing, and access storage on campus as well as with outside companies such as Boomerang and UHaul.
Local Motion has added airport shuttle departures for students at 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, and 8 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Pickup is at the Chapel.
Until further notice, only Wellesley students are permitted to be in residential spaces, including the dining halls, common bathrooms, and community spaces. All non-Wellesley guests will be asked to leave our residential properties, effective immediately. Students who do not abide by this new policy will be charged with an Honor Code violation.
Dining halls have changed over to fully served stations operated by food safety certified employees. During this time, menus will be posted on site as opposed to online. The Bates gluten-sensitive room will remain available, but access must be granted by a dining hall staff member.
The fall housing intent form has been temporarily closed so that the Office of Residential Life can prioritize the safe and efficient departure of students. It will reopen next week with an extended deadline.
Update on remote learning training
Ravi Ravishanker, chief information officer and associate dean of WellesleyX
Library and Technology Services (LTS) and the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center (PLTC) have developed academic support resources for students to enable remote instruction. Students may join the practice LTS Zoom Room to test its features and ask questions related to how the remote classes can use this tool. The practice Zoom Room is open through Friday, March 20, 8 am to 10 pm EDT daily.
PLTC academic success coaches (ASCs) are also offering introductory Zoom workshops in the residence halls over the next few days for students before they leave campus. Please contact your residence hall ASC for the time and place.
We are so proud of the way our community is rallying in support of our students. The Students’ Aid Society is providing students with financial assistance to help them travel home and defray shipping costs. Faculty and staff are donating luggage and boxes to students who need them, and many alumnae are contributing to an Emergency Student Relief Fund to support a wide variety of needs associated with this unprecedented event.
We also know that students and their families will have questions about the financial implications of this transition. The College will be in contact once we have finalized details, and will share additional information as soon as possible.
We know this is a difficult time for many in our community, and we appreciate your patience and understanding, as well as your care and concern for our students. Please take care of yourselves and each other. Together, we will build the resilience that we need.
