October 26, 2020
Dear Members of the Boston College Community,
We write to update you on the University’s plans for the spring semester. While the course of the pandemic requires all of us to recognize that plans may change, our intention is to return for in-person instruction on campus beginning in late January and continuing through Commencement on May 24. We expect that we will once again offer a mix of in-person, hybrid, and online courses. Additional details will be communicated during the next few months.
We have decided to make the following changes to the academic calendar to support the health and safety of Boston College students, faculty, and staff:
- The first day of classes will take place on Thursday, January 28.
- There will be NO spring break March 1-5. However, classes will not be held on Wednesday, March 3, to provide a mid-week break.
- Classes will be held until 4 p.m. on April 1 (Holy Thursday). No classes will be held on April 2 (Good Friday). Classes will resume on the morning of April 5 (Easter Monday).
- We await a decision on the Boston Marathon in April. If the Marathon is postponed, classes will be held on April 19.
- Final exams will take place, as scheduled, between May 11 and 18.
Individual deans may communicate with their school’s faculty and students as to any school-specific changes for the spring semester.
Earlier today, the Office of International Programs informed students who had been planning to study abroad next semester that the University has cancelled all study abroad programs for the spring. We regret that the ongoing pandemic and related travel restrictions have led us to this decision.
As was the case in August, the University will require that all students, faculty, and staff who intend to be on campus for the spring semester be tested for COVID-19 prior to the start of classes. This testing will be provided by the University at no cost to the individual. Access to residence halls and other on-campus facilities and services will be tied to proof of COVID-19 testing, and students will be expected to quarantine in their rooms or off campus until their results are returned. The University will continue its asymptomatic surveillance testing and rigorous contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation plans for the spring semester. Additional information about move-in and testing procedures for January will be forthcoming.
We will offer additional updates as our plans for the spring semester are finalized between now and January. The Boston College community has come together in remarkable ways thus far in 2020, and we look forward to working together for another safe and successful semester in early 2021.
Sincerely,
