Dear alumni, parents, and friends,
As the global, national, and local impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve day by day, Boston College is taking the necessary precautions to help ensure the health and safety of our communities. On Wednesday, University President William P. Leahy, S.J., announced the cancellations of on-campus classes starting yesterday, March 12, through the end of the semester, noting that classes will move to online instruction starting next week. BC's residence halls will be closed, and on-campus academic events and University-sponsored travel to international and domestic locations have been suspended.
Though no one at Boston College has been diagnosed with COVID-19, these precautionary measures are being implemented in response to the growing threat that the coronavirus poses for our students, staff, alumni, parents, volunteers, and friends. With this in mind, my office has made the difficult decision to postpone or cancel all previously scheduled University Advancement events through the end of April. While there are still many unknowns regarding COVID-19, it is our responsibility to do what we can to minimize the risk of exposure of the broader BC community. Further details on the status of specific events can be found here.
As the parent of a Boston College junior, however, my thoughts turn most immediately to the impact this situation has on our students and especially to members of the senior class, for whom this will be particularly difficult. None of us could have anticipated the disruption that this year has brought, but I am confident that we will all get through this together. I hope that you will join me in supporting our students and our community of parents and alumni beyond the Heights by staying connected and thinking creatively about ways to remain engaged with each other and with the University absent in-person gatherings.
There are times when circumstances beyond our control remind us just how much we rely on institutions like Boston College that are pillars of excellence in our society and that play an important role in improving the human condition.
Thank you for all that you do to ensure that the mission of Boston College is enduring.
Sincerely,
Jim Husson
Senior Vice President for University Advancement