Dear Viking Students,
Congratulations on successfully completing your fall classes. You met the challenges that COVID-19 has brought with grit, perseverance, and grace. You should be proud!
As we head into finals let’s stay focused on finishing strong. We know that for many of you, the end of the semester is a time to gather with friends in celebration of all of your hard work. Unfortunately, this year we will need to find other ways to recognize our accomplishments and the end of the year. We encourage all of you to avoid gatherings and continue to follow COVID protocols and help us to keep our communities safe.
COVID Testing
- We encourage all students to get tested within 72 hours of your last in-person exam or obligation.
- We also highly recommend all residential students to get tested within 72 hours of returning home.
- You can schedule your test on the CoVerified app. The last date for COVID testing this semester is Monday December 21, 2020.
Flu Vaccine
- Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health,all residential students and commuter students with in-person classes are required to get the flu vaccine by December 31, 2020. If you have not yet received your flu shot please do so before you return in January and upload proof of vaccination to the health services portal.
Looking Ahead to the Spring Semester
- All residential students will be required to be tested for COVID-19 at the O’Keefe Center before being permitted to move in. Weekly testing will be required thereafter.
- All commuter students with in-person classes will be required to be tested for COVID-19at the O’Keefe Center within 72 hours prior to the start of their in-person class. Weekly testing will be required thereafter.
- All students (residential and commuter) will be required to monitor symptoms on CoVerified app and be “cleared” on CoVerified in order to access certain spaces on campus, including the Berry Library and the Gassett Fitness Center.
- Health and safety protocols will still be in place such as wearing a mask in public spaces (indoor and outdoor), physical distancing, limits on gatherings, etc.
We will send more detailed information about what to expect for the spring semester in the weeks ahead. We are planning to return to campus and start the spring semester with both in-person and online classes the week of January 18, 2021. If the conditions of the pandemic dictate that we need to make an adjustment to our plans we will let you know. Please continue to check your SSU email on a regular basis throughout winter break.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and diligence in following COVID guidelines and protocols. We are proud of what we were able to accomplish together this year.
We wish you all the best as you wrap up your coursework and complete your finals.
Sincerely,
Elisa Castillo, PhD
Associate Dean of Students for Wellness
Gene Labonte
Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Risk Management