Dear Students,
This has been a very difficult week for many of us given the failure of justice in the decisions in the case of Breonna Taylor’s death. As you think of ways to get involved, to get your voice heard and to effect change, I also hope that you will let this injustice fuel your passion toward a career and a life plan that is anti-racist and that dismantles systemic racism.
In this moment, at this time, I hope you will also keep your own physical and mental health and the health of the Wellesley community at the forefront. Don’t forget the resources available to you in the Stone Center and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.
I am proud that many of you have been here over a month, and our campus continues to be safe and healthy. As the weather changes, however, we need to change our approach to ensure our success. There are two areas that are particularly problematic and you must make some changes if you want to prevent an outbreak: eating and social distancing.
Eating with blockmates is essential. With the weather so nice students have gravitated to the outside tables around campus. Sitting less than 6 feet from each other with masks off is a clear opportunity for transmission of disease. If you are with your blockmates, you are already exposed to each other and therefore we can contain an outbreak. However, if you are sitting, mask off, less than 6 feet with someone else—well, that can be the start of an outbreak because more than one block will be affected. So, when you go to meals, space out and eat only with your blockmates. It really is the safest thing. The number of students sitting at tables must be limited to the stated number. On the Honor Code, we expect you to respect this expectation and only eat with your blockmates—wherever you decide to eat.
The dining hall reservation system is eliminated. The reservation system in the dining hall was designed for contact tracing purposes. Since students do not like to plan so far ahead for meals, we have decided to eliminate the requirement to reserve a space in advance. You may simply sign in as you enter a dining hall. If you are sitting in a group, you are still expected to sit with someone from your block. Otherwise just grab one of the single seat tables.
Better seating options are coming! We realize that the spacing of the tables in the dining hall are too far apart and there are also some seating spaces that have been off limits. We plan to make changes in the coming week or so to realign the tables and to open more seating. We appreciate your patience as we make adjustments.
More compost bins are being placed in different areas of the dining halls and the containers will be compostable and recyclable.
Social events are happening, slowly. Don’t forget to check out the WEngage app for programs.
Leaving campus is strongly discouraged. Students are strongly discouraged from going to Boston or Cambridge or other places where there will be crowds. I am aware that there are some protests going on downtown and should you decide to attend, you must keep your distance and wear a mask. When you return you should self-quarantine to keep your block and your classmates safe.
And as you know, students are specifically NOT ALLOWED to go to off-campus social gatherings. Outbreaks at other schools have been traced to off-campus gatherings.
How to handle a friend’s violations? If you have a friend or blockmate who has been breaking the rules and you are worried that they will spread disease, you should: 1) make sure you keep your distance; 2) talk with them about your concerns, providing explanations for your concern; 3) tell your RA if you want some assistance; and 4) contact the Office of Student Wellness for helpful tips. And don’t forget that your CD is always available to support you.
We are all in this together. The ability to stay open depends upon your ability to pivot and take these precautions to heart and translate them to action. If we end up with an outbreak and have to close this fall, it will have implications for our ability to be open in the spring. Let’s make some good decisions—and keep up the good effort!
Sincerely,
Sheilah Shaw Horton
Vice President and Dean of Students
