Practices & Protocols
- All students are required to wear face coverings/masks on-campus, except when inside their residence hall rooms or apartments and while eating. Face coverings/masks are required in all classrooms and meeting spaces.
- All students are expected to self-monitor on a daily basis for symptoms including high temperature, cough, loss of smell or taste, labored breathing, and headache or muscle aches. Go to bc.edu/check to complete the symptom check.
- Testing, contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation are key components of our plans for the spring semester.
- Non-BC guests are not allowed to visit residence halls during the spring semester.
- Physical gathering policies, including the number of people allowed in student rooms, are based on physical distancing guidelines. More information is provided on the Residential Life website.
- Student travel/excursions off campus should be limited during the spring semester, especially out-of-state travel.
- Maintain appropriate physical distancing and mask use in classrooms, dining spaces, residence halls, and whenever recreating on or off-campus, especially in the presence of those who may be especially vulnerable to the coronavirus because of age or health issues.
- All of us play an important role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the BC community and surrounding neighborhood. We are strictly enforcing a "no parties" policy on and off campus. The consequences of hosting and/or attending a party on or off campus may include suspension and/or the loss of on-campus housing.
- All undergraduate students are required to adhere to the expectations outlined in the Eagles Care Pledge.
For faculty, staff, graduate/professional students, and undergraduates living off-campus:
Tuesday, January 19, 8 am – 6 pm:
Wednesday, January 20, 7 am – 6 pm
Thursday, January 21, 8 am – 6 pm
Friday, January 22, 8 am – 5 pm
Saturday, January 23, 9 am – 5 pm
For undergraduates living on campus:
Sunday, January 24, 8 am – 7 pm
Monday, January 25, 8 am – 7 pm
Tuesday, January 26, 8 am – 7 pm
Wednesday, January 27, 7 am – 7 pm
For late arriving undergraduates living on campus, and any remaining faculty, staff, graduate/professional students, and off-campus undergraduates
Thursday, January 28, 8 am – 7 pm
Friday, January 29, 8 am – 5 pm
Saturday, January 30, 9 am – 5 pm
Sunday, January 31, 9 am – 5 pm
All students are required to quarantine in their residence halls or off-campus apartments until their test results are returned. The expected turn-around time for test results is within 26 hours of tests reaching the lab/ Food will be provided during the quarantine for students living on-campus through BC Dining Services.
Yes. As in the fall, faculty, students, and staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days via a valid PCR test are exempted from the test. Students meeting this criterion must upload the appropriate documentation to University Health Services via the University’s AGORA portal no later than 24 hours prior to their test day on campus. Faculty and staff must provide documentation of a positive PCR test to University Health Services in Conte).
Students who contracted COVID within 90 days and provide proof of a positive PCR test (if tested outside of Boston College) are exempt from asymptomatic surveillance. These students are not subject to quarantine. Students should upload any positive test obtained outside of Boston College to the Agora portal to be reviewed and approved by UHS. Per Massachusetts Department of Public Health travel order guidelines released last week, a positive PCR test is the only acceptable test to achieve exempt status.
Vaccinated students are still subject to asymptomatic surveillance testing, but as of 3/8/2021, per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, students who have gotten two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or one dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days ago, are not required to quarantine following an exposure.
All undergraduate and graduate students living on and off-campus are expected to comply with all public health and University policies and directives, including the Eagles Care Pledge, regarding health and safety requirements related to COVID-19. Among other things, the University requires students to:
- wear appropriate face masks or coverings,
- maintain appropriate physical distancing on and off campus,
- participate in move-in testing and quarantining,
- participate in ongoing surveillance testing,
- be responsive and comply with contact tracers,
- monitor symptoms,
- limit travel and follow travel directives,
- adhere to quarantine and isolation protocols, and
- follow additional directives from the University and public health officials.
Students who do not comply with COVID-19 policies and directives may be referred to the student conduct process and be sanctioned, including but not limited to Housing Suspension and University Suspension. These expectations apply to all students, regardless of previous testing status or receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Yes. Students living on campus are expected to comply with all Residential Life policies and agreements, including the Conditions for Residency–COVID-19 Addendum. Currently, for students living in traditional-style residence hall rooms (singles, doubles, triples, and quads), only one guest at a time is permitted in the entire residential unit. For students residing in suite or apartment style housing, a total of two guests at a time are permitted in the entire residential unit. Only other residential students are eligible as guests, and therefore, off-campus students, commuter students, and non-BC affiliates currently are not permitted in the residence halls.
Given the heightened health and safety risks associated with gatherings that do not easily allow attendees to physically distance and abide by other University expectations, undergraduate and graduate students may not host or participate in social gatherings or parties, indoors or outdoors, in which physical distancing is not or cannot be maintained or which do not comply with Massachusetts limitations on gatherings in effect at the time (www.mass.gov). These expectations apply to all locations, including, but not limited to, off-campus apartments, restaurants/bars, private homes, hotels/Airbnb, other colleges and universities, and vehicles, including party buses and limos. Students hosting and/or attending such gatherings or parties will be subject to sanctions through the Student Conduct process, including but not limited to Housing Suspension and University Suspension. Generally, students who organize or host a gathering that violates University policies will receive increased status sanctions, including, without limitation, University Suspension.
Boston College has received 100 vaccine doses, which it has distributed to first responders on campus. We await details from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts about schedule and distribution of vaccines to students, faculty, and staff.
Targeted Asymptomatic Testing Resumes on Monday, February 1, in the Connell Recreation Center MAC Court Testing Site: Mondays - Thursdays 8 am – 3:30 pm
Boston College's 2020–2021 academic year began on Monday, August 31 with a combination of on-campus, in-class instruction, and remote and hybrid classes. The University will adhere to the guidelines of federal and state public health authorities in an effort to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all members of the BC community. These FAQs, divided into sections, should be of help to students and parents.
A. Boston College has had a long-standing tradition of hosting an annual Mid-Year Baccalaureate Mass to celebrate those seniors who complete their degree requirements in December. After careful consideration and in light of Massachusetts’s most recent public mandate limiting in-person gatherings due to COVID-19, the University has decided to cancel the Mid-Year Baccalaureate celebration. We very much hope that we can celebrate our graduates and their great accomplishments in the spring during the scheduled May 24 Commencement.
Health and Safety
Boston College has developed a mandatory plan for testing all students, faculty, and staff when they arrive on campus in August, and throughout the semester.
- We anticipate that student test results–conducted by The Broad Institute–will be available within 6-26 hours. Students awaiting test results must follow strict protocols, which require wearing masks or face coverings at all times during this waiting period. In accordance with state guidelines, any student living in University residence halls testing positive for COVID-19 will be moved to University isolation housing. Students in University isolation housing will be able to attend classes remotely, will have food provided to them by BC Dining Services, and will be under the care and supervision of University Health Services.
- The test samples from students, faculty, and staff will be analyzed by The Broad Institute, a biomedical and genomic research center in Cambridge, Mass. Those found to be positive for the virus will be required to isolate in their homes, apartments, or in designated campus housing for at least 10 days, the last three of which they must be symptom free. Undergraduates living in campus residence halls and seeking to be isolated in University facilities must follow required health protocols. BC Dining will deliver food to their room doors, and they will be able to participate in classes remotely.
- UHS personnel will work with staff in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to identify via contact tracing individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19. If judged necessary, students, faculty, and staff could be required to quarantine themselves for 14 days.
- The entire Boston College campus community will be urged to be mindful of personal health through daily “self-checks,” facilitated by a mobile application selected by the University. Undergraduate students with concerns about their well-being should immediately contact UHS; all others should consult with their personal physician for assessment and next steps.
- Medical care (diagnosis, treatment, quarantine, and isolation) of undergraduate students with symptoms of COVID-19 will be coordinated by UHS.
- The University is also planning to conduct significant surveillance testing on a weekly basis to identify the potential asymptomatic presence of the coronavirus on campus. In addition, the University will be utilizing several facilities near campus where we can isolate any asymptomatic students.
Boston College has established cleaning protocols based on our experience of accommodating students on campus during the spring semester. Our Facilities staff will clean and sanitize classrooms, common areas, residence halls and dining facilities daily. Common touch areas, including door handles, railings, elevator buttons, and bathroom fixtures will be cleaned multiple times per day. Students and faculty members will be expected to clean their work areas before and after each use with sanitizing wipes provided by the University.
All members of the community will be required to wear masks while indoors, abide by the hygiene and wellness recommendations of the Mass Department of Public Health, and self-monitor for potential symptoms of COVID-19. Informational Signage will be placed throughout the University to remind the BC community of hygiene protocols.
Given the circumstances, we will all need to work together as a community to ensure that every student is able to be fully present while learning, whether that is in the classroom, following along with a live class remotely, or using Zoom to attend a fully online session. We ask that all students—especially those living on campus—be prepared to attend class from their residence hall rooms or off-campus homes as needed. However, there will be situations where a student has back-to-back classes where one is in-person and the other is online, or other scheduling challenges that make returning to their residence hall or off-campus apartment to attend online sessions difficult. As a result, all University libraries will be configured to provide students with a quiet place for online learning, including the maximum amount of safe, distanced seating possible. Many public spaces, lobbies, and student lounges will also be made available to students, and we are currently working to allocate and set up additional spaces wherever possible. More details will be provided as students return to campus in August.
We also urge all students to bring headsets with a built-in microphone when they return in August. As a community, we will all need to encourage one another’s learning as we show courtesy and compassion to those around us.
Boston College has an inventory of 140 classrooms and is working to redeploy additional meeting rooms for classroom teaching. Large lectures will be delivered remotely to comply with state regulations and public health guidelines. The University is allowing students to utilize academic technology to participate remotely as needed to accommodate their circumstances and ensure campus safety.
The following video shows how reconfigured classes look this semester.
Yes. Boston College has ample isolation on the Pine Manor campus in Brookline, and has leased The Hotel Boston, approximately 1 mile from the BC campus, for the academic year. The University can also utilize other facilities for isolation housing as needed. All isolation locations are staffed by Residential Life professionals and supported by BC Dining Services and University Health Services.
All members of the Boston College Community will be expected to do their part to help limit the potential spread of the virus. Students will be expected to wear face masks when not in their residence hall rooms and when proper physical distancing is not possible. Students will also be required to wear masks while attending in-person classes. The University is anticipating that students will take personal responsibility and be men and women for others. Refusal to wear a face covering may be addressed through the University’s conduct system.
Boston College has added staff in University Counselling Services this year. We expect that there will be an increased experience of emotional distress in the year ahead. We believe that our model of providing a range of services through traditional therapy, emergency services, and non-crisis, same-day consultation, as well as an increasing range of group therapies and support groups, will be the best format to respond to the needs of our students.
We are also implementing an online mental health awareness module for all new students to be completed prior to the start of the semester. This module looks at stressors that college students face, the reality that some students experience mental health conditions that may require treatment, and also provides some self-care strategies and tips for helping a friend. There are also customized resources and links that provide new students with a range of resources for support, community building, and counseling.
We care about helping our Customers and Store Staff stay healthy, so, in addition to our regular practices, here are some of the changes we are implementing at our stores, distribution centers and online fulfillment centers:
- Store Staff are conducting daily health screening of themselves before entering the stores
- Protective shields at our cash registers in stores
- Enhanced cleaning throughout our stores including distribution and online fulfillment center.
- Face masks/coverings are mandatory for Store Staff in the workplace.
- Customers are required to wear face coverings per state guidelines, while at our stores.
- Dressing rooms are temporarily closed. No merchandise should be tried on in the store. Our return policy allows you to purchase, try on at home and return clothing within 30 days of purchase.
- Encouraging social distancing at stores. Please leave 6 feet between yourself and others while shopping and in our check-out line.
- Separate one way aisles, entry and exits for promoting social distancing
- Limiting the number of customers inside the store at a time to keep fulfill Massachusetts Retail Guidelines.
The University will be following CDC guidance as we plan for classroom utilization. In line with that approach, recent guidance from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for K-12 schools recommends all students and faculty wear masks at all times and a three-foot “desk-to-desk” distance be maintained, which is the guideline we will be using in most of our classrooms. In the majority of our rooms, we are able to achieve 50% capacity while following the K-12 guidelines. A major exception is some of our fixed-seat auditoriums --- those seats are too close together to allow for 50% utilization. For these rooms, the University has determined appropriate layouts that maintain safe distances: actual capacities depend on specific room conformation, but generally fall below 50%. This is one of the reasons we have moved most of our large lectures to an online delivery mode.
Additionally, we will be mandating a number of other practices to help ensure that our classrooms remain safe and healthy learning environments, starting with cleaning. Every classroom will be deep-cleaned each night prior to a teaching day. Sanitizing wipe dispensers will be installed in (or just outside of) every classroom as well, and faculty and students will be asked to disinfect their individual spaces before and after class to protect themselves and others in the community.
Within the classroom, masks or other face coverings will be required for all faculty and students at all times. Clear face shields may be worn, but only in combination with a regular mask – they are not considered an acceptable substitute. Additionally, desks will be placed in an optimized pattern determined to maximize distance, and should not be rearranged by students or faculty. The pattern will include an eight- to nine-foot “teaching zone” which will allow faculty members freedom of movement while maintaining a safe distance from students, all of whose desks will be facing forward (towards the teaching wall). We are working to ensure that all larger rooms are equipped with appropriate sound amplification as well, as trial runs this summer have shown that masks inhibit vocal production. Students will be assigned seats in each class and faculty members will take attendance in order to facilitate potential contact tracing should a person in the classroom test positive for the coronavirus.
Finally, we will be asking all faculty to record (and, where pedagogically appropriate, live-broadcast) their in-class lectures and activities using either the installed Lecture Capture system, laptop-based personal Lecture Capture, or other technologies like Zoom. We will also be asking every student, faculty, and staff member on campus to do a personal health self-assessment every day, using an app that the University will select. The combination of these self-assessments and the course recordings and/or broadcasts will help reinforce for students that, although class attendance remains as valuable and important as ever, they should only attend class in-person if they feel healthy and well that day.
We believe this combination of practices, combined with the University’s approach to testing, contact tracing, and quarantine/isolation, and investments in improved HVAC systems, should make BC’s classrooms—and campus—as safe as possible given the challenging conditions imposed by Covid-19.
Teaching Resources
Many of you have been asking for additional information about the classroom environment. We’ve prepared some resources to help you acclimate to teaching on-campus this fall:
- A classroom FAQ document, which describes the rigorous procedures and protocols which will need to be followed in order to ensure our learning environments remain safe for instructors and students;
- An accompanying classroom video walkthrough, which pairs descriptions of classroom procedures with pictures and video taken in two classrooms already set up as they will be in the fall; and
- A new classroom data website (requires login), which will provide an opportunity for you to get familiar with any new teaching locations. Please note that this was a project already underway in response to faculty requests for easier-to-access data about classrooms, and so most of the information there is “pre-Covid”. However, the pictures will still give you a sense of the classroom size and the layout of the boards and technology, and we have added a link to a spreadsheet that contains updated information on each room, including its current Covid capacity (typically around 50% of normal) as well as any upgraded technology, such as built-in Lecture Capture.
- Finally, the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) remains available to help you get your course ready for fall. In addition to their introductory Adaptable Blended Instruction (ABI) workshop (now a single 90-minute session), they’re also offering supplemental sessions on particular teaching questions and technologies. Log into MyBC to see the upcoming workshop schedule (if you don’t see any events, click “Sign In” in the upper right hand corner.) And if you haven’t yet, enroll yourself in the ABI Canvas course to get started. For more information, see the CTE's ABI Support page.
Yes. In addition to the many traditional spaces set up for studying,including lounges and BC libraries, the University has designated more than 350 additional seats around campus specifically for students who need to attend and participate in an online class, or the online portion of a hybrid class. The locations are listed below, and can also be found on the Find a Space page on the Student Affairs website. They are set up in a number of clusters around campus, so students should always be able to find one nearby.
Stokes Hall South: Eight classrooms—103S, 105S, 107S, 131S, 133S, 203S, 205S, and 207S, totaling 93 seats
Stokes Hall North: Three classrooms—117N, 121N, and 217N, totaling 33 seats
Fulton Hall: The second-floor Honors Library, as well as four classrooms: 210, 240, 310, and 423, totaling 94 seats. Fulton’s newest classroom, 260, will also be added to this list later in the fall.
McGuinn Hall: Five classrooms—011, 029, 030, 437, and 526, totaling approximately 57 seats
O'Neill Library: Four classrooms—246, 246A, 247, 248, totaling approximately 40 seats. 246 and 246A will be open 9:00am to 5:00pm only.
Devlin Hall: The Undergraduate Admissions Lounge, 25 seats. Please turn left after entering Devlin Hall and enter through one of the doors on the right along the hallway. Open 9:00am to 5:00pm only.
Gasson Hall: Gasson Commons, on the first floor across from Gasson 100, 20 seats
In general, these rooms have been set up as classrooms, and signage on or near the doors will indicate that they are to be used only for attending online class sessions, especially during the teaching day (9:00am to 5:00pm). After 5:00, please continue to give priority to any student needing a space to attend an online session.
The following rules will apply in all landing zones:
Masks must be worn at all times
Sign the visitor’s log when you enter the room (for contact tracing purposes)
No food or drinks allowed
Please do not move the furniture
As with any shared space, sanitize your desk and seat before using
Headphones must be used. There will be multiple students attending different classes in the same room simultaneously – please be respectful of others, use headphones, and speak at a reasonable volume when interacting with your online class.
We ask that you attend online class sessions from your residence hall room or off-campus apartment whenever possible to leave these spaces available for off-campus students or those with back-to-back classes who can’t make it home in time. If you have concerns about the condition of any of these spaces, or if you wish to alert someone to inappropriate behavior, student monitors will be available in each general area during the 9:00am to 5:00pm period.
Residential Life
All students living on-campus are required to quarantine in their room until they receive a negative test result. This policy applies to all residential students, regardless of home state or any COVID-19 test results prior to arriving on campus.
Yes. Physical distancing in residence halls will be facilitated through limited gathering sizes (based on room dimensions and public health guidelines) and guest policies.
All of us play an important role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our BC and neighboring community. As witnessed in the news recently, some universities have had to move exclusively to online learning due to a rise in COVID-19 cases traced to large on- and off-campus parties. It is important to note that we will be strictly enforcing a "no parties" policy on and off campus. The consequences of hosting and/or attending a party on or off-campus may include suspension and/or the loss of on-campus housing.
Services and Activities
Yes. These services will be available to all students through in-person, online, and hybrid options.
Yes. However, campus events and activities will be modified based on health and safety conditions and recommendations.
Yes. The Office of University Mission and Ministry is working to plan retreats on both a virtual and in-person basis following guidelines established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Disability & Remote Learning Accommodations
Yes. Students with disabilities that would affect their ability to engage in in-person classes are able to request reasonable accommodations that includes online learning. Students should register with the Disabilty Services Office if they think they may need this accommodation as soon as possible.
Boston College has provided remote learning options for international students who are unable to come to campus for the fall semester because of visa or travel difficulties, as well as for domestic and international students with serious health issues or special family circumstances.
Enrollment and Financial Aid
Our goal is to accurately determine your family’s ability to contribute toward your education and to provide the most appropriate need-based financial aid package; taking into consideration all application materials provided to the financial aid office. You may request a secondary review of your financial aid package due to a change in your family’s circumstances. Information presented in your appeal should be either new information or information that has changed significantly from your initial application materials.
Please submit a detailed letter of explanation regarding your special circumstances, along with the Financial Aid Appeal Form and all other applicable documentation listed on the appeal form, as it pertains to your specific circumstances. Additional documentation may include (but is not limited to): tax returns, paystubs, termination letter, severance letter, death certificate, medical bills, receipts, and information about unemployment compensation, Social Security and/or disability benefits.
Financial Aid Appeals are reviewed within ten business days by a committee. Additional processing time may be needed if more information is required. If additional financial aid is offered, the student will receive a revised Financial Aid Award Letter. If additional financial aid is not offered, the student and/or parent(s) will receive notification of the appeal denial or postponement (if applicable).
No. The reality is that the University will incur significant expenses this year as we add synchronous and asynchronous online courses, upgrade our classroom technology and HVAC systems in campus buildings, significantly enhance our campus sanitizing efforts, and add COVID-19 testing through The Broad Institute for all members of the community who will be on campus, among other costs. We have also increased need-based undergraduate financial aid by four percent, or $5.6 million, to a total of $146 million.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act established an approximately $14b Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which allocated 75% of the funding to institutions of higher education based on the number of each institution's Pell Grant recipients and the remaining 25% based upon each institution's remaining total student's Full-Time Enrollment. Under this metric, Boston College was allocated approximately $6.1m. Pursuant to the CARES Act, institutions are obligated to use at least half of their allocated funding for emergency student financial aid grants. The remaining portion of an institution's CARES Act funding may be used for certain other expenses relating to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. The Department of Education has made the student portion of this CARES Act funding available first.
As a condition to receiving the emergency student financial aid portion of its CARES Act funding, the University signed and returned to the Department of Education a Certification and Agreement affirming that Boston College will, in accordance with the requirements of the CARES Act, use no less than 50% of its total CARES Act funding to provide emergency financial aid grants to students. That Certification was signed by Boston College on June 5, 2020. On August 7, Boston College received the approval to receive the funding from the Department of Education and the funds will be received by the institution in late August.
Per the CARES Act, this portion can only be distributed to students who are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, were enrolled for the full spring semester and were not enrolled in a fully online program. Boston College had 6,680 students who submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the spring 2020 semester, 4,683 of whom were undergraduates. As of late August 2020, from the $3,224,288 of the student portion of the CARES Act funding, Boston College has distributed grants of up to $2,000 to more than 1,550 undergraduate students with the highest demonstrated financial need as calculated by the FAFSA to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations in the Spring of 2020 due to the COVID pandemic for a total of $2,836,643. Specifically, these grants were given to undergraduate students whose family contribution toward educational expenses as calculated by the FAFSA, was $10,000 or less during the 2019–2020 academic year. Boston College has also distributed grants of $350 to more than 700 graduate students with the highest demonstrated financial need, as calculated by the FAFSA, to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID pandemic for a total of $245,700. Specifically, these grants were given to those graduate students whose family contribution toward educational expenses, as calculated by the FAFSA, was $0 during the 2019–2020 academic year.
See the Office of Student Services website for more information.
Study Abroad
The Office of International Programs announced in November that it was cancelling its study abroad programs for the spring semester. This decision was based on travel and visa restrictions, ongoing CDC guidance related to international travel, and the likelihood that our international partners would not be able to offer a true immersive experience for our students.
Athletics
The decision by the 15 ACC institutions to proceed with winter sports follows several months of discussion and scenario planning among league members, the ACC Medical Advisory Group, and medical professionals at Boston College. The health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, and staff is at the forefront of all decisions at all times.
Our health and safety protocols, which include extensive testing, daily symptoms monitoring, and isolation and quarantine procedures for all members of the BC community, have given our student-athletes, coaches, and staff the confidence that we can return to competition safely. Any student-athlete who wishes not to play can opt out, and their athletics scholarship and place on the team will not be affected.
As always, we will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance of our medical advisory group.
Yes, the Margot Connell Recreation Center will be open during the spring semester, in accordance with state guidelines.
International Students
Boston College provided remote learning options for international students who were unable to come to campus for the fall semester because of visa or travel difficulties, as well as for domestic and international students with serious health issues or special family circumstances.
BC Dining Services
BC has developed new pages for Dining Hours and Dining Menus:
Transportation
Transportation will establish pavement markings and signs promoting physical distancing at BC bus stops, and passengers will board from the rear of the bus. Seating will be limited to every other seat. Buses will be increased, particularly during peak hours of 7–10 a.m. and 3–6 p.m. Buses will be cleaned and disinfected after peak periods.
Parking and transportation plans have been established to meet social distancing requirements, and ensure the safety of faculty, staff and students. Buses have been added to the Newton and Commonwealth Avenue routes to ensure our compliance regarding maximum ridership. We have also established comprehensive bus disinfecting and cleaning protocols. A limited operational bus schedule will begin on August 3, with the full bus operation schedule resuming on August 31. Detailed information is available on the transportation and parking website.
Facilities
Boston College Facilities Services is totally committed to your safety and well being and is following approved federal, Commonwealth and city guidelines and directives. Primary among the agencies is the Center for Disease Control. While we have worked long and hard to meet all needs, we all must understand that this may be a process of constant communication and improvement.
All building systems were run through a rigorous pre-occupancy check process recommended by CDC (especially HVAC, domestic water, and life safety) and are operating properly.
Ventilation and filtration provided by heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems can reduce the airborne concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and thus the risk of transmission through the air.
Droplets are the primary method of COVID-19 transmission and building HVAC systems are a low-risk method of transmission. Increasing outside air ventilation can only be done based on system type and outside conditions. Building systems vary widely across campus and we have followed guidelines to increase the amount of fresh air, ventilation, and exhaust for buildings. Some buildings have no air conditioning and can only be ventilated by opening windows. Building security is essential so please do not prop exterior or fire doors open.
We are upgrading HVAC system filters based upon CDC guidelines and increasing filtration to MERV 13 or higher in buildings with central air systems. Our building HVAC systems are maintained on preventative maintenance schedules that include operational checks and filter changes. Prior to re-opening, building HVAC systems will be purged, checked and set to the normal operating settings for temperature and humidity, based on occupancy schedules.
Best practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19 remain to practice social distancing, hand hygiene, universal masking, and surface cleaning.
Facilities Services has been operating and flushing the water distribution lines, and flushing building water systems will be performed prior to occupancy. We have tested hot water temperatures to ensure they are the maximum allowed by law and have maximized push button faucet run times. In some cases you may need to push buttons more than once. We will not replace existing fixtures with automatic models. Please see CDC Guidelines for hand washing.
While current scientific literature suggests that genetic material associated with the virus can be found in close proximity to toilets, there is little evidence that this material is both viable and infectious. The most important aspects for preventing infection continue to be washing hands, avoiding touching your face and maintaining social distancing while in the bathroom. As part of BC’s safety protocols for COVID-19, the cleaning schedule of bathrooms in residence halls will be increased. Common touch points will be disinfected multiple times per day.
Custodial Services will continue to perform normal as well as enhanced cleaning and disinfecting tasks in all serviced buildings. Many tasks will be standardized and others specialized based upon the function of your building. Enhanced cleaning includes more frequent high touch point disinfecting, such as light switches, door knobs/handles, elevator buttons, handrails, water bottle fillers and in bathrooms. The bubbler part of all water fountains has been temporarily disabled. According to the CDC, there is no evidence suggesting you can be infected with COVID-19 through drinking water. All disinfectants we use are EPA registered.
Most custodial cleaning occurs during the work/class day but some shifts have been adjusted to provide more visibility and coverage during afternoon and evening hours. In the event of a positive case, affected sites will be closed down, deep cleaned and disinfected before reopening.
Facilities Services will provide daily cleaning of all common area lounges, study rooms, and common bathrooms in residence halls. Students are responsible for maintaining clean rooms in their private spaces, including bedrooms, suites, and apartments. Facilities Services will not provide cleaning assistance to private student spaces.
Cleaning is defined as using soap and water to remove dirt and impurities. Disinfecting is defined as killing germs on a surface. Routine cleaning is defined as our standard cleaning and disinfecting process. Enhanced cleaning is defined as disinfecting high-touch surfaces.
Students are encouraged to clean commonly touched surfaces several times per day; this includes desks, phones, remote controls, printers, computer mouses, and keyboards. The University recommends that students purchase the EPA-registered disinfectants such as single-use disinfectant wipes and multi-surface spray cleaners. Please ensure with electronics and screens you are using an approved product for such use. Always use cleaning products as recommended on manufacturer labels, including wearing disposable gloves where directed.
Hand sanitizers have been placed in high traffic areas/lobbies where soap and water are not immediately convenient. Disposable wipe dispensers will be placed in select high volume building entry points and classrooms and are meant to be used to wipe down high touch surfaces before they are used, especially between classes. The sanitizer liquid and wipes both meet CDC guidelines for effectiveness.
These items have been placed in the highest need areas and Facilities Custodial Services will check/refill them daily. If you find anything empty, call Facilities Services Work Order Center at 2-3048 (between 6:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday). After hours, call Campus Police Non-Emergency at 2-4440. For immediate needs, please take wipes from an adjacent classroom and call in a refill request. Please remember there is no substitute for frequently washing your hands with soap and water.
Yes. Since BC’s COVID-19 response in March, Facilities Management has provided clear instructions to vendors and contractors regarding the required protocols for on-campus workers. These protocols are congruent with Commonwealth, City and University guidelines for symptom self-checks, hand-washing, masking and social distancing.
Campus Mail Services is continuing to provide mail service and distribution of mail and packages throughout the University. Students should be mindful of physically distancing when picking up mail and packages and may expect a longer wait to receive items. Students may contact Campus Mail Services at 617-552-2368 or 617-552-3993 for any specific questions or concerns. BC Campus Mail Services is following all USPS and CDC guidelines.
The size limit for shipping via the US Postal service is 108 inches combined length plus girth, example: 36”H x 18”L x 18”W. Other carriers have different dimension restrictions but items weighing less than or equal to 45 lbs should not be a problem.
We are working with a private company to provide this service for packages received prior to August 24. Mail your package as asked and we will take from there once it arrives. Once your package is delivered to your room, you will receive an email confirming this. Late arriving packages will need to be picked up by students at the appropriate mailroom.
While there is no strict limit imposed by Mail Services, we do ask that people be realistic with the number of items they send. Residence Hall rooms are not overly large and we hope that students only bring or ship necessities for daily life.
Yes. You are able to ship containers other than boxes. We do advise that the bag or suitcase be sturdy and that the name and address are clearly marked. In addition, you should also place the address information on the inside in case the shipping labels falls off or is rendered illegible.
You can begin shipping packages on August 1 provided you have your housing information. Due to shipping delays, we suggest that you ship your packages no later than August 17 in order to arrive before August 24.
Please refer to Campus Mail Service’s website. Also, when ordering online, please check the ship to address before finalizing your online purchase as we receive numerous items with previous year’s addresses.