Dear Students,
December is a time of transition: seasonal changes, holidays, and preparations for a new year. It also is the season of hope and light and for many, it is a season of joy. What brings you joy? Friendship? Images of Wellesley in the snow? A warm cup of hot chocolate by a fire? Finishing a good read? Seeing the face of a loved one? Whatever it may be, I wish you joyful moments all month long and into the new year.
This letter is the last for fall 2020 and there are several important details, so please read to the end. As you wind up the last few classes, please be mindful that there are several details that you must address before you leave campus.
The Keohane Sports Center is closed, but you can still stay involved virtually and maintain fitness and wellness with outdoor activities. All operations at the KSC, including the use of the Fitness Center and Chandler Pool and varsity athletic practices, will come to a conclusion as of 6 p.m. today, Friday, December 4. The building will remain closed until the start of term 3. All other recreational activities, including Recreation Saturday, have been cancelled. Students currently taking in-person physical education classes will be notified of the final course schedule by their instructor.
Required flu shot compliance. Did you get your flu shot? You need to submit documentation that you received your flu shot before you leave for the semester. The state of Massachusetts is requiring all students to receive a flu shot this year, no later than December 30, 2020. If you are not registered in Epic, Health Services’ online records system, Health Services has no way to confirm whether or not you received a flu shot. You are required to register by calling Newton-Wellesley at 855.890.9241 (Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The call to register will only take a few minutes. Once registered, call Health Services at 781.283.2810 (Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to confirm your registration. You must complete both phone calls. Please see complete instructions regarding flu shots and registering on the Health Service website.
If you have not complied with this requirement you will not be able to move onto campus in the spring. If you have already left campus, you should still get a flu shot and submit your documentation as it affects your compliance with this mandate.
Required negative tests prior to leaving campus. On November 18, the COVID-19 Higher Education Control Plan was revised for colleges and universities including guidance on expectations for students departing campus. The new guidance states that “all students living in campus housing who plan to leave campus during any period in which school is not in session should first receive a negative result from a COVID-19 test administered by the college within 72 hours of their planned departure.” Therefore, you should have your final weekly test two to three days prior to your planned departure. A negative test result from that test will meet the State’s requirement for your departure from campus. If you need to reschedule a test to meet this requirement, please email campuskey@wellesley.edu.
It’s time to resign from your off campus jobs. Students who have informed the College of their off campus employment have been notified that they need to resign from these positions because the risk of contracting COVID-19 has increased significantly. If you have not received a letter from me, but still have an off campus job, you will need to resign. I understand this is a difficult situation, but the health and safety of our community is crucial. If you need a letter to give your employer explaining the College’s decision, please reach out to deanofstudentsoffice@wellesley.edu. And if you need to request funds for lost wages, please consult the emergency fund.
Ready to go home? Visit the Res Life website for all of the details that you need to manage for moving out. Remember that you must do an in person or Zoom check out with Res Life in order to complete this process.
I wish you all good health and great success with your final exams. I look forward to seeing many of you in the spring on campus, and others virtually.
Happy holidays,
Sheilah Shaw Horton
Vice President and Dean of Students
