Return to Campus - Wheaton College Massachusetts

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In April 2020, President Hanno charged the COVID-19 Task Force with developing policy, protocol, and procedures for preparing the college for the return of students, in line with public health guidance and recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Massachusetts Department of Public Health. As the guidance and developments of COVID-19 evolve, the Task Force will continue to keep the community updated on its impact, changes to operations and procedures, and on-campus testing at Wheaton.

CURRENT STATUS: GREEN – LOW CONCERN
Wheaton’s academic calendar is currently in Summer Session II. The first day of classes for the Fall 2021 semester is August 31 and fall move-in for residential students will be a staggered check-in process.

LATEST UPDATES

Mitigating the Risk of Infection

Policies in regards to vaccinations, guidance on use of masks, and building cleaning and disinfection.

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Screening, Testing & Contact Tracing

Information and protocols on testing, symptom monitoring, testing results, contact tracing, quarantine procedures, and medical assistance from our public health advisory group.

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Staffing, Travel & Visitors

Guidance and restrictions for student and employee travel as well as general protocols for staffing and visitors to campus.

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Academic Experience

Information on class structure, changes to the academic calendar and protocols for advising and other academic-related experiences.

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Housing, Residential Life & Dining

Information on student housing impact, student support services and changes to the dining experience.

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Clubs & Campus Events

Guidance and restrictions for activities and events related to clubs, organizations, departments and all programming, including the limitation of campus visits.

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Compliance and Community Commitment

All community members will be expected to abide by these new policies and expectations, to support a safe and healthy campus environment and, to assume personal responsibility for keeping themselves and others as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Student leaders worked with the Dean of Students Office to develop a Community Commitment during the summer of 2020 to outline the shared responsibility within the community to foster a safe environment for all to live and learn.

Students who fail to comply with the college’s COVID-19 expectations and policies will face disciplinary action through the college’s Community Standards and Student Conduct Process. As a reminder, Wheaton’s jurisdiction extends to behaviors both on and off campus.

Given the increased focus on the health and safety of our community, violations of the Community Standards and COVID-19-related policies may result in elevated disciplinary measures. Major violations, including but not limited to, hosting a social gathering, not complying with quarantine/isolation procedures, or repeat violations of COVID-19 policies will likely result in loss of housing and restriction from campus. More minor violations will likely result in housing or disciplinary probation. Students who are removed from housing, lose on-campus access, or are suspended from the college as part of the Student Conduct Process will not be refunded for any portion of their tuition, room and board, or other fees.

Any community member who witnesses a violation of COVID-19-related policies is encouraged to file an incident report. The responsibility for the safety of our community lies with all of us.

Contacts and Resources

COVID-19 campus mitigation strategies, policies, and protocols: deanofstudents@wheatoncollege.edu
Housing and the arrival and check-in process: reslife@wheatoncollege.edu
COVID-19 on-campus Testing: covidtesting@wheatoncollege.edu
COVID-19 Task Force
Additional Resources:
- Academic Advising
- Counseling and Mental Health Support
- Campus Safety: 508-286-8213 (non-emergency)
- Student Financial Services
- Student Health Services

The COVID-19 Campus Task Force welcomes comments and suggestions from the community regarding the current policies, protocols, and expectations on campus via our Feedback Form.

Return to Campus Past Communications

Summer 2021

Spring 2021 Semester

Fall 2020 Semester