To: Wellesley College Community
From: Andrew Shennan, Provost and Lia Gelin Poorvu ’56 Dean of the College; Sheilah Shaw Horton, Vice President and Dean of Students
Re: Commencement Health and Safety Protocols
Date: May 18, 2022
We are looking forward to celebrating the graduation of our seniors with families and friends on campus next week. Because positive COVID-19 cases on campus have risen to the highest levels since the start of the pandemic, we are making an important change to our health and safety protocols for commencement: Seniors, faculty and staff, and guests will need to wear masks during the ceremony.
Several thousand people will be under the tent in close proximity for several hours. Even with the tent sides up, the ventilation conditions will resemble those of an indoor space. Masking in this environment will help keep our seniors, community members, and guests safe.
Seniors will be able to remove their masks before they walk across the stage and for the off-stage photo. Seniors, faculty, and staff participating in the procession will not need to wear masks while walking outside the tent.
Seniors and faculty and staff who are planning to attend commencement should continue to test this week and next. We encourage community members who are able to do so to test tomorrow or Friday (May 19 and 20, no appointment necessary). This will allow sufficient time to complete the five-day isolation period in advance of commencement in the event of a positive result. We will offer individual PCR testing in the College Club testing center (along with pooled testing) beginning Monday, May 23, for those planning to participate in commencement. Pooled testing will be available in the Beebe testing center through Thursday, May 26.
Thank you for your understanding regarding the need for this change in response to the surge of COVID cases on campus and in the community. We want commencement to be a joyous event, where seniors, community members, family members, and guests can celebrate safely and know they are doing their part to protect others.
