March 5, 2020
Dear BC Students:
As Spring Break comes to an end, I write to share with you important COVID-19 updates and instructions.
Boston College is following guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. While these guidelines will undoubtedly inconvenience some of our students, they are necessary steps to take to help keep the campus community as safe and healthy as possible. We ask you to abide by these guidelines so as not to put fellow students at risk.
Returning Travelers Post-Spring Break:
Students returning from Spring Break who traveled to a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice area (China, South Korea, Iran and Italy) are required to self-quarantine at home for 14 days before returning to campus. During the self-quarantine period, you should notify your professors that you will not be in class. Faculty will provide reasonable accommodations so that you can complete your course assignments while quarantined. Accommodations may include extensions on assignment deadlines, make-up exams and/or excused absences. If you need assistance with accommodations, you should contact your academic dean.
For students returning from study-abroad programs that were discontinued, please refer to the instructions you received from the Office of International Programs. If you are returning from a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice area you are required to self-quarantine at home for 14 days. Each partner university has found ways for students to continue their coursework remotely from home, allowing students to stay on track for graduation.
Students on campus who have recently travelled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19, and who have symptoms of the disease (fever, cough, shortness of breath), should contact University Health Services at uhs@bc.edu or 617-552-3225.
On-Campus Preparedness:
While there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Boston College, the BC Facilities staff has worked diligently during the past week to clean the campus and disinfect common areas such dining halls and restrooms, as well as common touch areas such as doors, hand rails and elevator buttons. They will continue their efforts throughout the semester. All health guidelines suggest that the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to adhere to these preventive measures:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Increase your fluid intake.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, and face.
- Do not share common-use items such as cups and utensils.
- Keep home/personal spaces clean, and disinfect common surfaces and items.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Cover your cough with tissue/paper towel or the crook of your elbow.
- If you have not received an influenza (flu) vaccine this year, please get one as soon as possible.
Contingency Planning:
Boston College has activated its Infectious Disease Task Force to coordinate a campus-wide response to safeguarding against the spread of COVID-19. The University fully expects to be operating on a normal schedule. Any changes to our operational status will be communicated via all University channels.
Travel Advisory Updates:
Boston College has issued a prohibition against University-sponsored travel to China, South Korea and Italy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Boston College has provided a list of frequently asked questions on its coronavirus webpage: www.bc.edu/coronavirus
Students can also contact:
The Division of Student Affairs bcsa@bc.edu 617-552-8600
Office of Residential Life reslife@bc.edu 617-552-3060
For more information, visit:
Please remember that BC is home to individuals from all over the United States and around the world whose backgrounds and perspectives enrich our campus. As we continue to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak as a community and work to keep our campus safe, we remain committed to our Jesuit values of inclusion, respect, kindness, and care for each other.
Sincerely,
Joy Moore
Vice President for Student Affairs