Dear Students,
Last week on a glorious Sunday morning we welcomed the First Year students with Flower Sunday. In a packed chapel, the Bigs and Littles enjoyed the program’s songs, poetry and stories of resilience and connection for the first time since 2019. The event was followed by a special brunch in the dining halls. I hope that the connections you made will sustain you during the challenging days and foster joy in learning here at Wellesley. As we near the end of the first month of school, reality has likely set in. The weather is changing, the workload is increasing and the social life is hopefully in full swing. So there is much to do! It is easy at this point to forget some basics like sleep, eating well, exercising and making new friends. Take time to check out our wellness resources .
I have had a lot of questions from students regarding our new Covid policies so this week’s letter will focus on a few basics that are important as we navigate the new norm with COVID-19. We have 29 students currently in their 5-day isolation period. Here are a few reminders:
- If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 you can still go to class unless you are symptomatic and/or test positive.
- Masking in classrooms is required unless made optional by the professor. You are responsible for providing your own mask for class. Don’t forget to keep a mask in your bag
- Begin testing weekly if it will help you to maintain a consistent check on COVID-19 safety. If you test at the College Club and have a positive result, you do not need to upload the result to the Toolbox. Testing will take place from 7 to 11 a.m. and 12 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday through September 30. Beginning Monday, October 3, testing will be available from 7 to 11 a.m. and 12 to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, except for holidays. Please read the email from Piper Orton with details on how to join the Color testing program.
- Roommates of students with Covid-19. Remember that exposure can start 48 hours prior to symptom onset or first positive test. Therefore, by the time a positive student learns of their COVID status, their roommate may have already had several days of exposure. If your roommate is symptomatic or has tested positive, you have already been exposed, so please do not stay with other students. Wear your mask, increase your ventilation by opening windows, stay physically distanced from others, test on day 6 post-exposure and test again a week later. Keep your immunity up by eating and resting as much as possible. If your roommate reports being exposed to COVID), you should wear a mask right away and avoid eating together.
- Get the new booster. If you are eligible for a booster you should get it now. There will be a booster clinic on campus on October 17. Keep an eye out for communication from Health Services with details for the booster clinic. All students will be required to get the new booster so you might as well get it now. Vaccination and staying up-to-date with boosters remains the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19.
Ok, enough about Covid. There is so much to look forward to this year. Fall break and Friends and Family Weekend are just around the corner. Enjoy the lovely fall weather this weekend. Autumn in New England is simply the best! And the Wellesley campus is truly a special place.
Sincerely,
Sheilah Shaw Horton
Vice President and Dean of Students
