Dear Students,
As we approach the most sacred holy days in the Catholic tradition, I write to express our gratitude for all of the sacrifices many of you have made this year to place the needs of the community above your own. I know that this has not been easy but we have shown our resilience as a community and we are proud of your efforts. I write to share some important updates.
Violence Against the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community
Since the outset of the global pandemic, the United States has seen an increase in the number of acts of harassment and violence against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. As a Boston College community, we must stand united against racism and remain committed to fostering mutual respect on our campus. In the face of acts motivated by discrimination, we all must remember the importance of supporting one another and intervening when we see harmful actions occurring. If you would like to speak with someone, please do not hesitate to contact University Counseling Services, the Thea Bowman AHANA Intercultural Center or any of our offices. Additionally, University Counseling Services also created a page of resources and referrals for BIPOC students and allies who seek to offer additional support.
Easter Travel Guidelines
I know that Easter is a special time for many families to recognize the most solemn yet joyful season in the Catholic liturgical calendar. I also recognize that the celebration of Passover is occurring for our Jewish colleagues and friends as well. Despite this, given ongoing health and safety concerns related to COVID-19, we discourage student travel and will detail below opportunities available to you on campus. Given the risks associated with travel and after consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Health, we will continue to require students who travel outside of the Commonwealth to receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of their return to Massachusetts. If students do not receive and upload the results prior to their return, they must quarantine at a location off-campus until they receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test result.
Easter Weekend on Campus
There will be plenty to do on campus for students during the Easter weekend, so we encourage you to strongly consider spending the weekend on campus. A full schedule of masses will be celebrated with both in-person and livestream formats. Baldwin’s Backyard will make its debut on Thursday, April 1, from 8pm-12am and will be open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights throughout the month of April. Baldwin’s Backyard will be located next to the Connell Recreation Center and will feature outdoor lighting, fire pits, comfortable chairs and lawn games. Reservations can be made for groups of up to five students. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) has a weekend full of activities planned including Easter dinner-making kits, movies, Easter Egg hunts and more. The Connell Recreation Center will also be open on Friday, April 2 from 6:00am - 8:45pm and on Saturday, April 3 from 9:00am - 5:45pm. The Connell Center will be closed on Easter Sunday. Please check out the weekly emails and social media accounts of CAB and the Office of Student Involvement as more details become available.
COVID-Related Concerns
As we approach the second half of the semester and study space becomes more heavily utilized, I would like to remind you to observe all COVID-safety protocols when using classrooms as after-hours study space. The majority of BC's classrooms are available for nighttime study; please consult the Find-A-Space site for more information. Please do not move furniture, and observe all the regular classroom regulations - sanitize your space before using it, maintain distance, wear masks, no food or drink, etc - while using this space. If you are in a classroom late at night and the cleaning team comes in, please be courteous and move immediately to another space or leave the building. Cleaning teams should never have to argue with students about the need to vacate classrooms so that they can be appropriately prepared for the next day's classes. If you do move to a classroom that has already been cleaned and set, please ensure you leave it in the same condition you found it.
In addition, we have received reports of concerning behavior related to the shuttle buses on the weekends. The bus drivers are responsible for monitoring capacity limits and students must adhere to the driver’s directions at all times for the health and safety of everyone. The buses must operate under state social distancing guidelines and students who ignore the driver’s instructions may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
COVID-19 Vaccines in Massachusetts
Boston College has inquired about the acquisition of vaccines; however, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not appear to have any current plans to distribute vaccines to colleges and universities. People who live, work, or study in Massachusetts are eligible to receive a vaccination in Massachusetts. Therefore, all Boston College students can pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a mass vaccination location. If you pre-register, you will receive text or email updates for when you may schedule an appointment at a mass vaccination site when you are eligible.
I thank you again for everything that you are doing to ensure that we maintain a safe and healthy learning environment on campus. We ask that you remain vigilant so that we can finish out the last few months of the semester on a strong note.
Sincerely,
Thomas Mogan,
Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Formation