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Return to Campus: FAQ

Updated August 7, 2020:

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RETURN TO CAMPUS PLANNING

Are you planning for students to be living and learning on campus in the Fall 2020 semester?

Yes. We are actively planning for our students to return to residence halls and classrooms on campus for the Fall 2020 semester. We know that the public health situation may develop in a number of ways, which may alter our plans; but we will always put our students first, taking many precautions to keep you and our campus as safe as possible.

How is the College making decisions about Fall 2020?

In May, the college convened the Return to Campus Institutional Committee (RTCC) and subgroups made up of faculty and staff members to make recommendations and develop plans regarding all aspects of campus life including: Academic Affairs, Residential and Campus Life, Technology, Facilities (including campus access and housekeeping), Athletics, and Business Offices

These recommendations were made with three major considerations at the forefront:

  • Safeguarding the health and safety of the entire Curry community;
  • Providing the distinctive in-person and on-campus living and learning experience that is a hallmark of our College and deeply valued by our community;
  • Understanding the need to provide options and flexible learning modalities and virtual experiences in the current environment to ensure continued student success under any circumstances.

As we move forward with decisions (a process that will continue throughout the summer), we are continuing to monitor the public health situation, as well as guidance from federal, state, local and higher education authorities. The College is planning for the Fall to the best of our ability under current circumstances, realizing that those may change, and will communicate all decisions or changes to decisions as they occur.

Where and when will you post updates on additional plans for Fall 2020?

We are committed to communicating new decisions, changes or plans to our community, including our faculty, staff, students and families, immediately in real time as we prepare for the Fall. Please check your Curry email, visit Curry.edu/returntocampus, follow our social feeds, or visit the myCurry portal ('Return to Campus' tab) for the latest updates.

ACADEMICS

What will the Academic Calendar look like for Fall 2020?

In the interest of safeguarding against possible adverse future public health developments, as well as meeting learning requirements and ensuring that our students receive a full and unique Curry educational experience this fall, the College has adopted emerging best practices and made the following changes to the Fall 2020 Academic Calendar:

  • A staggered move-in to residence halls will begin on Monday, August 10.
  • Fall semester classes will begin Monday, August 17 for traditional undergraduate students.
  • The normally observed College holiday on Monday, October 12 will be cancelled. Classes will be held and offices will be open.
  • The last day of classes will be Tuesday, November 24. This will conclude all traditional undergraduate in-person and online classes for the Fall semester.
  • Residence halls will close on Wednesday, November 25.
  • Online exams will be scheduled for the week after Thanksgiving, with the semester formally ending on or about Friday, December 4.

*Note that the Continuing Education/Graduate semester will conform to the previously published Calendar for Continuing Education and Graduate Studies. Full semester (e.g. ACCEL) and Term I CE/Grad courses will begin Monday, August 31 and Term II will begin Monday, October 26. Full semester and Term II CE/Grad courses will be offered fully online in the post -Thanksgiving period ending as scheduled on Saturday, December 19.*

Why have you changed the Academic Calendar to start classes earlier in August?

Along with many other colleges and universities nation-wide, we considered the Academic Calendar against the backdrop of possible adverse future public health developments. Taking into consideration not only those possibilities, but also the need to meet learning requirements and ensure that our students receive a full and unique Curry educational experience this fall, we concluded that moving residential students in and starting the semester early and ending all classes on November 24 (with only exams and CE-Grad classes taking place online after that date) had the best probability of allowing us to meet that goal, as well as adhering to emerging best practices. We realize that there is no way to guarantee that a future surge of COVID-19 will not alter our plans, but these changes are designed to provide both our faculty and our students with the best possible scenario for a successful on-campus Fall semester, despite that uncertainty.

Will classes be conducted online or in-person in the Fall?

For both traditional undergraduate and continuing education and graduate courses, we will be incorporating a mix of face-to-face (FTF), hybrid, hyflex and, to a limited extent, online courses in our offerings. The hybrid and hyflex courses include both online and FTF components for a given course. These are designed to reduce contact intensity and frequency. A hybrid course calls for the entire class to meet FTF as scheduled for one of the class meetings in a given week. This will be augmented on-line class time. Hyflex courses split a given class into two alternating sub-sections. Each subsection will alternate between FTF and on-line synchronous classes. Students will be assigned to one of the subsections for such hyflex courses.

The in-person, FTF experience for classrooms, labs and studios will be designed consistent with social distance standards as well as health and safety protocols.

I do not feel comfortable coming to campus, will there be an option to do online courses only?

Our faculty are currently working hard to develop the details of FTF, hybrid, hyflex and online options for Fall coursework. It is likely that students who wish to do so may create a schedule that is largely online given these options. As students consider making adjustments to their Fall schedules, please be aware of the need to maintain full time status so as to not impact financial aid awards or progress toward competing degree requirements for a given major. Students with medical issues may request an accommodation through the Office of Disability Services. All reasonable efforts in these cases will be made to design a 100% online schedule – or as nearly as possible -from the range of options available. For all other students, given the range of hybrid, hyflex and online courses the College will be offering, schedule adjustments and course selections may be made with the goal of working as remotely as possible. Curry College will work with any and all students in navigating such schedule adjustments through our Advising and Academic Success support processes.

How are faculty preparing to teach hyflex and online courses this Fall?

Curry College offers an online certification process through the Faculty Center, which faculty members who are teaching remotely are required and supported in completing before the Fall semester. Thanks to our dedicated faculty and staff, and the willingness of our students to adapt admirably to a new and unfamiliar environment, our experience this spring has helped us understand better how to navigate the challenges and benefits of online teaching and learning. We will continue to improve, to evolve, and, most importantly, to safeguard our promise to deliver on a uniquely Curry educational experience.

How will you ensure social distancing for in-person classes?

We will be splitting lab sections and expanding our classroom inventory to provide social distancing. Directional signage will prevent massing at points of ingress and egress. Where appropriate we will also be lowering course size caps consistent with space and facility limitations.

What about group work outside of the classroom? Where will students study together?

We understand that collaboration with classmates is an important part of the academic experience at Curry. Dedicated and appropriately socially distanced spaces will be identified for students to study together and complete group assignments outside of the resident halls.

How will meetings with faculty members, such as office hours and advising, be handled?

All advising and scheduled office hours will be conducted virtually through the Fall semester. Please contact individual faculty members for details.

Will Levin Library be open?

Yes. Levin Library will be open in the Fall semester, following operating restrictions imposed by COVID -19, and in line with College guidelines. While our team will strive to maintain a high level of service, limitations imposed by social distancing requirements, building capacity, and safe handling of materials, must be observed.

View more information, including operating hours

How are you going to handle commuter students who may have scheduling challenges created by back-to-back online and in-person classes?

We will be identifying dedicated space for commuter students with laptops to work on campus. We will also make every effort to work with individual students in order to create schedules that avoid conflicts of this nature.

How will lab and clinical coursework, or other coursework that is not easily translated to an online format, be handled in the Fall?

We are working closely with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education amongst others regarding clinical experiences in the fall.

Our Nursing department is making every attempt to place our juniors, seniors, and accelerated students in the clinical setting for at least a portion of the semester. To ensure continuity of learning, a greater percentage of time will be spent in high-quality simulation than in prior years. Lab courses and simulated clinical experiences will be held in a combination of face-to-face and virtual formats. All face-to-face experiences will adhere to social distancing guidelines or use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

In the sciences, all students enrolled in BIOL, CHEM, FSC and PHYS lab courses F'20 will meet face-to-face for most experiments, and students will be spread-out over two adjoining labs to maintain social distancing. However, labs have also been set up to translate easily to an online format; Biology lab instructors will offer several virtual labs throughout the semester; all Chemistry, Anatomy and Microbiology labs for NSG and PH students were pre-recorded this summer; and Physics and FSC will offer both synchronous and virtual labs sessions.

The Education Department is making every attempt to place our juniors and senior education students in field experiences this fall, and has been in frequent communication with field placement sites, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Department of Early Education and Care, as well as other colleges and universities in the Boston area to collaborate on these efforts. At this time, the process of securing field sites is slow and proceeding cautiously as state regulatory agencies and public health guidance continues to evolve; but in collaboration with the College, the Education Department is also working on alternative plans and experiences for students that will help students continue to gain the skills required and earn the credit associated with field placement.

Will theater productions be held this Fall?

Yes, but differently this year from years past. Currently under consideration are a virtual performance for Black Box theater (as was held in Spring 2020), and a Main Stage show with a possibly smaller cast and a smaller audience due to social distancing. More information will be forthcoming as decisions are made.

What academic resources are available to students for online or hyflex courses?

All of our Academic Support Service offices remain staffed during normal business hours, regardless of whether study is online or on campus. The Office of Advising and Academic Success is available to assist with any questions you may have related to advising or progress in your classes. Advising questions can be emailed to academicadvising@curry.edu and concerns about academic alerts or progress can be emailed to academicsuccess@curry.edu. We also encourage you to visit our Remote Academic Resources webpage for much more information about the many resources (technological and otherwise) that are currently and will continue to be available to you.

What accommodations will you be making for PAL students or students who require disability services in the Fall for hyflex or online courses?

Students who receive academic accommodations through the Office of Disability Services or through PAL are still entitled to those accommodations, regardless of the mode of delivery or the class, and those offices will be open and available this Fall. However, this spring, we successfully delivered these services to all students in a remote environment, and we feel confident in our ability to continue to do so, should it become necessary. We will also continue to evolve and improve upon them, finding creative solutions where needed in order to best serve our students and ensure their success.

For specific questions related to PAL, please contact your PAL faculty member directly. General questions can be emailed to  pal@curry.edu. For specific questions related to disability accommodations, please contact disabilityservices@curry.edu.

What technology or equipment should I have to be prepared for hyflex or online Fall courses?

At minimum, students should be prepared with laptops according to Curry College specs, which may be found on the myCurry portal (Technology tab). We have also tested our campus Wifi system and confirmed that it will meet the increased demand of hyflex and online courses.

What learning management system should I expect to use for online courses?

Canvas is the learning management system of Curry College. You can access Canvas through the link located on the homepage of the myCurry Portal. When logged in to Canvas, one of the courses that are in your Dashboard is the “Canvas Readiness Course.” Please consider this a comprehensive resource to understand the features and functionalities within Canvas. You will also be able to view a five-minute video that provides an overview of the Canvas “must-knows.”

Will the Curry Bookstore be open?

Students can shop the bookstore online (currycollegeshop.com) and choose to ship items home or request they be held for in-store pick up on campus. In-store pick up of online purchases begins August 10. During the first two weeks of the semester, in an effort to comply with social distancing guidelines, the bookstore will offer online order pick-up from the Gray Meeting Room in the Student Center. Please contact Erin Niemisto, Store Manager, at 617-333-2322 or bookstore@curry.edu, with any questions.

What is your policy on Study Abroad for the 2020-2021 academic year?

The College has notified students that have expressed an interest in study abroad programs in Summer and Fall 2020 that programming has been suspended. We are hopeful that study abroad programming will resume for the Spring 2021 semester. Please contact Mireille McLaughlin, Director of International Student and Study Away Services at 617-333-2967 or  studyabroad@curry.edu with questions or for more information about future study away or abroad.

FINANCIAL

Will the earlier start of the semester impact financial aid?

No. Any financial aid for which you are determined to be eligible will not be negatively impacted by the earlier start date, as the semester is also ending early but will be comprised of the normal 15 weeks.

Will full tuition be charged?

Yes. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we are committed to fulfilling our promise to our students and their families of a uniquely high-quality and uniquely Curry academic experience under any circumstances. Our faculty and staff will continue to devote their time, energy and resources to delivering excellence in the classroom and on campus in all capacities, and our students will continue to have access to all of the services, resources and support that are hallmarks of the Curry community experience. In addition, the costs to the College of providing these have increased, rather than diminished, due to COVID-19. We are investing in technology, campus safety, individual engagement tools, and other areas that we expect will be of significant benefit to students as they continue to live and learn at Curry this semester.

Will meal plans and board payments be adjusted due to the different dining experience this semester?

We will be providing quality dining in the safest way possible, which may include a variety of options such as grab-and-go, take-out, and an increase of venue options throughout campus. Please note that meal plan options will be available at all dining facilities, with the exception of the Learning Commons Café/Starbucks (which will remain a retail venue). Although the dining experience this fall at Curry will be different, we do not anticipate that it will be diminished; our food quality will remain as high as ever, and enhanced offerings for dining will include satellite dining options on the North and South sides of campus and Bite +, a new app that will allow students to order food from the Market Place.

Will Comprehensive Fees be adjusted, due to all of the changes to living and learning on campus this fall?

No. The Comprehensive Fee allows the College to offer a variety of co-curricular, co-academic, and support services to traditional students to enhance their academic and student life experiences while enrolled at Curry. Although these experiences may be different this semester, the variety of experiences and support provided to our traditional students remains comparable to our prior offerings.

If it becomes necessary for COVID-related reasons for the College to close the campus again (as they did in March), will tuition be refunded?

No. In the event of a campus closure related to COVID, as in the Spring 2020 semester, the College will not be refunding tuition and fees, as we will continue to fulfill the promise of a high-quality Curry education under any circumstances (remote or on campus). As in spring 2020, prorated room and board adjustments would be made, based on the point in the semester. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Is it safe to be at Curry this Fall?

The College is instituting numerous protocols, precautions and changes to living and learning at Curry, all designed to keep our entire community as safe as possible. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, no one can eliminate all risks of infection and transmission, but we are working to mitigate risks on campus in order to provide you a safe environment for living, working and learning, following all guidance and best practices from federal, state and local public health agencies. In keeping with our mission, we are committed to always putting not only the success, but also the safety and well-being of our students first. We know that this will require flexibility, determination and commitment from all members of our community, especially our students, and we are confident that together, the entire Curry community will rise to the challenge to support and care for each other as we continue to navigate this unprecedented time.

What safety precautions are you taking to protect the campus community?

A number of safety measures have been instituted throughout all campus facilities. The following is not exhaustive, and additional measures may be implemented following federal, state, and local guidance. Signage is posted throughout campus to support hygiene, disinfection, and wayfinding for social distancing, and capacity has been reduced in all classrooms, public spaces and residence halls accordingly.

  • An aggressive once-daily cleaning/disinfection with a second high-touch area cleaning/disinfection protocol for classroom and common spaces (including restrooms) is being enacted throughout campus, including in residence halls. Spaces are disinfected using an electrostatic sprayer weekly, and should a member of the campus community test positive for COVID at any time, heightened cleaning protocols, including electrostatic sprayers, will be enacted.
  • Residence hall common areas and bathrooms will be fully cleaned and disinfected daily, with a second high-touch cleaning/disinfecting daily; suites at the SCRH and Suites building interior suite bathrooms will be cleaned once weekly. Individual room cleaning is the responsibility of the occupants; it is not included in the cleaning protocol due to individual sleeping habits and personal items in the rooms.
  • Safety Stations have been installed in public spaces throughout campus, containing hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, gloves, paper towels and trash barrels, as well as extra temporary masks. *Please note that these temporary masks are available in public spaces in case of emergency; however, we ask that members of our community plan to utilize the reusable masks that will be provided by the College (or their own masks) whenever possible and in private spaces.
  • All HVAC systems are currently being updated for increased fresh air makeup, HEPA filters, ionization units and UV disinfecting lighting.
  • Bathroom hand dryers and drinking fountains have been disconnected.
  • Plexiglass or other clear dividers have been installed in open public spaces throughout campus to protect employees and student interactions.
  • Masks are required for all members of the Curry community at all times in public spaces (indoor and outdoor).

Will students and other members of the community be provided/be required to wear masks?

Yes. The College has sourced personal protective equipment (PPE), including reusable cloth masks and level 3 surgical masks, which will be provided to employees (including student employees). All students will be provided with masks and required to wear them at all times in public spaces (with exceptions for dining).

Temporary masks are available in Safety Stations installed in public spaces throughout campus, which also contain hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, gloves, paper towels and trash barrels. These temporary masks are available in these public spaces in case of emergency; however, we ask that faculty and staff plan to utilize the reusable masks that will be provided by the College (or their own masks) whenever possible and in private spaces. Following this guidance whenever possible will ensure that the College is able to continue to provide enough personal protective equipment to fulfill our requirement that all community members wear masks while on campus this fall, and help us to keep Curry safe and healthy as we resume living, learning and working on campus.

What if I have an underlying health issue that makes it difficult for me to wear a mask, or if I have a disability that makes it difficult for me to understand those wearing them?

We will work with individual students with specific needs pertaining to personal protective equipment. Please contact Health Services at 617-333-2182 or the Office of Disability Services at 617-333-2990 with questions related to individual student circumstances.

How will you be enforcing requirements (such as mask wearing) and keeping students safe while at Curry?

Now, more than ever, we all need to reflect on and embody the Curry values of supporting and caring for one another. All of us have the responsibility to promote and maintain the health and safety of our entire community on campus. By adopting new policies, procedures, and a shared expectation of commitment to one another, we can do our best to help Curry stay healthy.

Therefore, we will be requiring that all students adhere to a new Community Agreement, which includes behavioral expectations such as observing restrictions on social gatherings, wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing, following Residential Life rules and policies, completing weekly testing, and self-monitoring and reporting on your health. For the safety of our entire community, it will be mandatory for all students living and learning on campus to adhere to the standards of the Agreement at all times. It is important that on an ongoing basis, our students understand that together, by always thinking of how their actions may impact their friends, fellow students, families, professors and staff members, we can all help to create and maintain a safe environment at Curry.

What else can I do to protect myself and others?

To minimize the risk of COVID-19, follow the guidelines provided by Curry in the Community Agreement at all times, as well as CDC prevention guidelines, including:

  • Wash your hands often.
  • Avoid close contact.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Clean and disinfect.
  • Monitor your health daily.

Will Curry College be doing testing, or requiring students, faculty and staff to be tested before returning to campus and throughout the semester?

Yes. Based on current public health and scientific guidelines, Curry College understands testing, contact tracing and isolation to be three key elements of a health and safety protocol designed to help keep our community safe. With that in mind, we have established the following:

  • Testing: The College is partnering with the Broad Institute to facilitate testing throughout the semester for students, faculty and staff. All faculty, staff and visitors will also be required to self-monitor and will receive a daily email reminder to submit a required health check. More information about tests, including the nasal swab process, may be found here.

  • Contact tracing: The College continues to explore options to establish and maintain contact tracing for the campus community including working with the School of Nursing and the Broad Institute.

  • Isolation: As previously noted, several residence hall spaces will be reserved should isolation/quarantine housing become necessary at any time due to the COVID outbreak. In this event, the College is prepared to follow the Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response Plan developed by the College’s Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Who will be tested and how often?

In establishing a baseline for conducting surveillance testing in the Curry community, the College has used guidelines issued by the Massachusetts Higher Education Testing Group. The Testing Group is an initiative of the Massachusetts Higher Education Working Group, which was formed as part of Governor Baker’s Reopening Advisory Board Framework for Reopening Higher Education in Massachusetts.

The Testing Group guidance establishes a baseline for institutions to determine the level of risk for COVID-19 infection or transmission among campus student, faculty and staff populations.  Testing is one element, along with contact tracing and isolation protocols, in a proven approach to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections within a community. Using these guidelines, the College has determined that the individuals on campus at high risk for infection or transmission should be tested on a weekly basis.  Individuals at the highest risk for infection or transmission are residential students and those that may have prolonged exposure to residential students. Please see the Report of the Massachusetts Higher Education Testing Group for more details.

All residential and commuter students will be onboard tested upon return to campus this Fall. The College also plans to test all faculty and staff (including resident vendors such as dining services, cleaning services and Bookstore services) as the semester commences. Further information about locations and appointment dates/times will be forthcoming shortly.

On a weekly basis throughout the Fall semester, the College plans to conduct testing for the following groups in partnership with the Broad Institute’s Fall Testing Program:

  • All residential students;
  • Commuter students who are:
    • Student-athletes practicing during the Fall semester;
    • Undergraduate Nursing/Education students participating in clinicals/field placements (except ACCEL students);
    • Student employees who work for Public Safety, the Curry Early Childhood Center (CECC), Sodexo; Athletics; and the Student Center including the Fitness Center;
  • Staff members from Public Safety, Residence Life, Health Services, Facilities, the Student Center (including the Mail Room, Bookstore and Fitness Center), Athletics staff (including coaches), and the CECC, along with contract janitorial and dining services workers and other staff members on an individual basis who meet the criteria in the Testing Group guidance;
  • Other groups as appropriate as circumstances evolve.

Based on the Testing Group guidance, the College will not test other students, faculty and staff who are at lower risk for infection and transmission on campus on an ongoing basis, given the College’s strict protocols for mask usage, hand washing, social distancing and daily disinfection.

Importantly, the College’s daily health screen requirement further limits the presence on campus of individuals that may be symptomatic or may have been exposed to infected individuals.

What if I get a test from an external provider? Do I need to report the results?

Any community member who obtains a test from an external entity will have a responsibility to immediately report positive tests and negative test clearances to the College, both for tracking and reporting to the Board of Health.

  • Faculty and staff should contact Human Resources at 617-333-2263 or hr@curry.edu;
  • Traditional undergraduate students should contact Health Services at 617-333-2182 or healthservices@curry.edu;
  • CE-Grad students should confirm with their test provider that the test provider will contact their local Board of Health (who will contact Curry College);
  • ACCEL Nursing students should contact their clinical coordinator;
  • MSN students should contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Will Curry communicate the status of testing to the campus community?

Throughout the semester, a notification protocol will be in place to ensure that the campus community is rapidly and accurately advised of positive cases. Further information will be forthcoming in the near future.

What does the required daily health check for faculty and staff involve?

The daily health check (which faculty and staff receive an email reminder to complete every morning) will ask for a response to the following questions:

  • Have you experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 24 hours? Fever (greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), muscle pain, chills, sore throat, shortness of breath, cough, new onset headache, fatigue or malaise, runny nose/congestion, not related to allergies or new loss of taste or smell, diarrhea, loss of appetite?
  • Have you experienced any of the following gastrointestinal symptoms in the past 24 hours including nausea/vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite?
  • Have you traveled internationally or domestically outside of the northeast (New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont) within the last 14 days? Please note that if you have visited one of the above listed states, do not need to include such travel in their response.
  • Have you, or anyone you have been in close contact with (within 6 feet for 10 or more minutes) been diagnosed with COVID-19, or been placed on quarantine for possible contact with COVID-19?
  • Have you been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by a medical professional or by a local public health official?

Those who answer yes to any of the above questions regarding possible COVID-19 symptoms will be immediately advised not to report to campus.

What about students with underlying health conditions that put them in a high-risk category? Will there be housing accommodations or other accommodations for them?

While we plan to adhere to best practices and guidance and to take many precautions to ensure the health and safety of our entire campus community, we will be both flexible and prepared to work with individual students requiring additional protections. Please contact Health Services at 617-333-2182 with questions related to individual student circumstances.

What if there is an outbreak of COVID-19 on campus in the fall?

Our focus is on prevention, but we will be prepared to navigate an outbreak using best practices and guidance from state and federal agencies as well as following our established emergency protocols. We are asking all resident students to have a Personal Departure Plan; details will be forthcoming from Residence Life & Housing. Students who live within 200 miles of Curry College should plan to self-isolate and quarantine at their homes in this case.

Several residence hall spaces will be reserved should isolation and/or quarantine housing become necessary at any time due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In this event, the College is prepared to follow the Infectious Disease Preparedness & Response Plan developed by the College’s Emergency Preparedness Committee. The health and safety of our entire community, especially our students, is our first priority.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

People with these symptoms may have COVID-19*:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

* This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

What happens if I develop and show symptoms of COVID-19? 

If a student develops symptoms of COVID, he/she should immediately inform Health Services and arrange to be tested at the College’s Satellite Health Clinic (which has been established solely for this purpose). Do not go in person to any medical provider without first speaking to medical staff over the phone for advice. Students should call Health Services at 617-333-2182 (8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.). Outside business hours, call Public Safety at 617-333-2222. Faculty and staff should contact their primary care provider.

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?

A student who tests positive for COVID-19 and who lives within 200 miles of the College will be required to enact their Personal Departure Plan to isolate at home immediately. A symptomatic or asymptomatic student who tests positive and lives more than 200 miles from the College will be immediately assigned a single room in the designated isolation housing space, where they will be required to remain for the minimum isolation period of 10 days (subject to change with changing guidance from public health authorities).

What will it be like in the quarantine or isolation spaces?

Students will have their own rooms with a micro-fridge, and meals will be delivered to them on a daily basis. Academic accommodations will also be provided for students in isolation or quarantine so that they can do their course work online (this will apply for the entire period for which the student is unable to attend face-to-face, hybrid or hyflex courses, no matter how long that period is). The Satellite Health Clinic staff will monitor students in this space via telehealth.

What if someone I have close contact with tests positive for COVID-19?

Any students who have been exposed (close contact to an individual who tested positive) will also be required to quarantine (either at home or on campus in designated quarantine space, depending on location of residence), as may be members of the student’s residential community (on a case-by-case basis).

Under what conditions would the Curry campus be closed and students sent home, as happened in March?

At this time, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has not released specific metrics around school closure. Unless the College is required to do so by a statewide mandate, a decision to close the campus, if necessary, would be determined on a case-by-case basis in conjunction with the Milton Board of Health and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Some of the metrics would include: the number of connected cases on campus; the total number of cases; and, the College’s capacity to safely isolation and quarantine students.

Consistent with the spring semester, if a surge of COVID-19 appears likely, the College will activate the Crisis Management Team (CMT) to assess and plan for readiness efforts. If such a surge occurs, the College will receive guidance and direction from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on the rapid closure of campus. The CMT will communicate immediately with the entire community regarding processes for vacating campus, remote work and impact on classes (if any).

How will you handle grief counseling and wellness care for students who find themselves struggling under these circumstances?

Our Counseling Center & Health Services staff remain fully available to assist students in managing their mental and physical health. To access help, students may contact Carol Moser our Administrative Assistant, either by calling the front desk at 617-333-2182 or email cmoser@curry.edu.  Students will be directed to speak with the Clinician of the Day or a Nurse Practitioner who can provide support and guidance via a telehealth appointment.

The Counseling Center also offers a self-help resource for all Curry students. Students may access TAO Connect for anonymous online use at any time. TAO is free, and available with a Curry email account.  Students may sign up with their Curry email by visiting the Counseling Center web page.

RESIDENTIAL AND CAMPUS LIFE

How will the move-in process work in August, with social distancing and the earlier start date of classes?

The College has created a plan for a staggered move-in process beginning Monday, August 10. First-year students will move in August 10-13, followed by upper class students August 13-16. Reservation times will be assigned to each student in two hour blocks, with scheduled intervals afterwards for cleaning. Students may bring no more than two people to assist them, and all participants will need to complete the health screen. Students will also be tested for COVID-19 as part of the move-in process. The Office of Residence Life and Housing will be communicating further details (including roommate assignments and specific move-in dates and times) directly to students and families by August 5; please monitor your Curry email closely. *Note that payment of your Fall 2020 bill is required in order to receive your room assignment.*

When will I know what residence hall I have been placed in, who my roommate is, and what my move-in date is?

The Office of Residence Life and Housing will be communicating further details (including residence hall and roommate assignments, as well as specific move-in dates) directly to students and families by August 5; please monitor your Curry email closely. *Note that payment of your Fall 2020 bill is required in order to receive this information.*

If I live outside the eight states articulated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as lower-risk for travel without quarantine, will I need to quarantine before or after I arrive on campus?

Not necessarily. Given the Executive Order signed by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker on July 24, students arriving to campus who live outside of the seven designated lower-risk states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, or Hawaii) are required to complete the Massachusetts Travel Form and show proof of a negative FDA EUA-approved molecular (PCR) SARS-CoV2 test (not an antibody or antigen test) performed within 72 hours of arrival to campus. *Please note that as of August 4, Rhode Island was removed from the lower-risk state list and students coming from RI are required to adhere to this protocol.

  • If students from outside of the seven lower-risk states ARE able to provide the required proof of a negative SARS-CoV2 PCR test upon arrival to campus, they will be allowed to move into their residence hall and do not need to be quarantined.

  • If students from outside the seven lower-risk states are NOT able to provide the required proof of a negative SARS-CoV2 PCR test upon arrival to campus, they will be required to quarantine until they get the results of their on-campus SARS-CoV2 PCR test, which could be 24-72 hours. Once their on-campus test is negative, students may come out of quarantine.

Students from these states will be invited to arrive at Curry on August 10. *Please note that all residential and commuter students (regardless of where they are from) will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival as part of the move-in process.

Parents and Guardians from outside of the seven lower-risk states who plan on spending the night in Massachusetts are also required to complete the Travel Form and provide proof of a negative SARS-CoV2 PCR test performed within 72 hours of arrival to campus. If they are not spending the night and only plan to drop off their student and return home the same day, they are exempt from the travel requirement. *Curry College will continue to follow best scientific practices and state orders as they evolve in this and other matters pertaining to preventing potential virus spread, and will keep students and families informed should these requirements change.

Are there specific items I should pack/bring to campus related to COVID-19?

We are encouraging all students to bring an overnight bag prepared with all personal items you will need in case of relocation to be used as a “COVID bag.” If you test positive and need to be relocated, this bag may be picked up by someone else and brought to you. You will also be responsible for taking your temperature daily for self-monitoring, so please bring a thermometer (they will not be provided).

Will the resident halls have air conditioners installed?

We encourage students to bring fans to campus to keep cool. Due to the extreme heat, for students who bring them to campus, Buildings and Grounds will install window air conditioner units in non-air-conditioned buildings as time permits during the move-in process. Please note that units must be 5,000 BTUs or less, with one 10V plug.

I am not able to have my health forms (or other documentation) completed in time to start classes on August 17. What should I do?

We understand that this abbreviated timeframe leading to the start of the semester may present challenges for students and families, including the completion of health forms and other documentation to prepare for the start of the semester. Please be assured that we will be flexible and work with individuals to accommodate these needs. Please contact the administrative office specific to the forms of concern for further information.

What provisions have been made in order to prepare residence halls for the Fall semester?

In addition to aggressive cleaning and sanitization protocols which will be enacted in all common spaces, including bathrooms (see Health and Safety for details), the College made the decision to only offer double and single occupancy bedrooms for the Fall semester. Additionally, we have increased the number of single rooms available on campus, and rooms that previously accommodated three or four residents will be occupied as doubles for the coming year. If you have questions, concerns or individual housing needs, please contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing at 617-333-2252 or reslife@curry.edu.

There will also be other restrictions and protocols in residence halls to ensure health and safety, including (but not restricted to):

  • A staggered move-in plan for August (see details above).
  • All resident students are required to have a Personal Departure Plan. Students who live less than 200 miles away from Curry College should plan to self-isolate and quarantine at their homes in this case. *Please note that with regard to departure plans as always, we will work with each individual student to meet the specific needs of your situation.
  • Kitchen spaces will be locked, with exceptions for specific individual dietary needs.
  • Overnight guests will not be allowed on campus this semester, with exceptions for personal care attendants or disability needs.
  • Visitors will not be permitted in residence halls, including fellow students and other members of the Curry community not housed in that residence hall, as well as external visitors who are not members of the campus community. Students may meet visitors in public spaces on campus, including the Student Center and the Learning Commons.

Will visitors to campus be allowed?

At the beginning of the Fall semester, a “no-visitor” policy will likely be in place on campus. This policy will be reviewed frequently and restrictions may be eased or revised as the semester progresses. In the near term, a process will be put in place for families to schedule weekend visits with students. *Note that students will be allowed two people to assist in move-in to residence halls in August, and that this policy excludes accommodations for personal care attendants or disability needs as well as registered Admissions Tours.

Can I have visitors in my room/residence hall?

American College Health Association (ACHA) guidelines have informed our decision not to allow visitors in residence halls this fall. This includes fellow students and other members of the Curry community not housed in the residence hall, as well as external visitors who are not members of the campus community (if allowed on campus). Students may meet in public spaces on campus, including the Student Center and the Learning Commons.

Can resident students leave campus once they have moved back in?

While we do not prohibit students from leaving once they are moved in, we do encourage them to stay on campus, as it is safest for them and for our community. Should students need to leave, we ask that they continue to be conscious of best practices for health and safety and to uphold the guidelines for campus while off-campus.

What plans have you made to address concerns specific to commuter students, such as scheduling complications or social distancing on the Curry shuttles?

For students commuting to the Curry campus, in order to prevent scheduling complications due to the hyflex model (an in-person class immediately followed by an online class, for example), we will be identifying dedicated (and appropriately socially distanced) space for you to study and complete coursework on campus. The College will also be making every effort with individual students in order to create schedules that avoid conflicts of this nature.

Parking permits ($125/yr) have been ordered and will be available on August 10. Although no cars will be ticketed during the first week of classes, we encourage you to request your parking permit as soon as they become available. Please keep in mind that your tuition bills must be settled in order to secure a parking pass. If you are planning to use public transportation to campus, we are looking at the hours of our T-Van shuttle that provides transportation from the Mattapan T-station to campus daily. A survey will be distributed next week for us to learn more about your plans so we can plan to best meet your needs.

Further information will be forthcoming regarding social distancing measures on Curry shuttles and other matters of concern to commuter students in the near future.

Will commuter students be tested for COVID?

Yes, commuter students will be onboard tested upon their return to campus, and will also be tested on a WEEKLY basis if they are:

  • Student-athletes practicing during the Fall semester;
  • Undergraduate Nursing/Education students participating in clinicals/field placements (except ACCEL students);
  • Student employees who work for Public Safety, the Curry Early Childcare Center (CECC), Sodexo; Athletics; and the Student Center including the Fitness Center.

Based on the Testing Group guidance, the College will not test other commuter students who are at lower risk for infection and transmission on campus on an ongoing basis, given the College’s strict protocols for mask usage, hand washing, social distancing and daily disinfection. Importantly, the College’s daily health screen requirement further limits the presence on campus of individuals that may be symptomatic or may have been exposed to infected individuals.

Will students be able to work on campus?

Yes. The College has equipped open office spaces with plexiglass, signage for social distancing and hand-washing, and receptacles on each floor contain hand sanitizer, disinfectant solution, masks and gloves. The College will also provide students with masks. Student employees will be expected to wear masks when they are in areas working with others, when they are traveling to and from a private, enclosed office, when they are moving around in common areas, in bathrooms, or otherwise away from their work space

What steps will you be taking to mitigate high traffic and large gatherings in the Student Center building?

We will be reducing the seating capacity for the Student Center and providing wayfinding signage to direct the flow of traffic. We are increasing options for dining on campus and will be adding pop-up dining locations to minimize high traffic areas (see below).

What will dining on campus look like this Fall?

The Curry College Dining Team has been hard at work over the past months adapting dining procedures and locations to ensure your health and safety when you return to campus.

What will life at Curry be like in the Fall? How will student activities and events work with social distancing on campus?

Despite the challenges, we are committed to providing, and to working with student groups to provide, the opportunities for engagement and involvement, as well as the wholehearted support, which have always been hallmarks of the Curry experience. Starting with Welcome Week, we will be offering both virtual and small, appropriately socially-distanced, in-person events and happenings, including:

  • Extended hours in the Fitness Center and Student Center.
  • Enhanced outdoor offerings, including movies, wellness events and hiking trips.
  • Intramural activities like hacky sack tournaments.
  • Virtual and in-person Paint Nights.

Life at Curry, and everywhere, will be different this fall; but we are committed to ensuring that your experience on campus will be both safe and enjoyable, as you reconnect with classmates, faculty members, mentors, and friends. Further information about events, as well as other campus involvement and engagement initiatives (virtual and face to face) will be forthcoming.

ATHLETICS AND FITNESS

Will fall sports be played this year?

The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) has announced its decision to suspend all athletic competition for the Fall 2020 semester. This was an extremely difficult decision, which was made only after a great deal of deliberation. The conference considered all options and strategized extensively to discern ways in which competition could take place this season. Ultimately though, based on the federal, state and campus information and guidelines at this time, the decision not to participate in fall intercollegiate competition was made with the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff members at the forefront.

Will winter and spring sports be played?

At this time, the CCC is still considering plans of action for the remainder of the fall semester, including winter sports that are scheduled to start their seasons this fall. Currently a proposed start date of January 1 has been established for competition, but this date will be re-evaluated throughout the fall semester as the current NCAA and public health landscape evolves. Practice opportunities for winter sports will still occur in the fall, following institutional, state and public health guidelines for health and safety. Per the CCC, spring sports currently remain on schedule as planned, with the exception of canceling their non-traditional fall play date. In addition, should NCAA legislation permit fall sports teams to conduct athletic activities and competition in the Spring 2021 semester, CCC schedules and championships may be adjusted accordingly. Final determinations will be made at a later date.

Will student-athletes engage in any athletic activities at Curry this fall?

Curry Athletics department staff will be working with coaches to develop guidelines on conditioning and strength training, as well as practice opportunities that will allow student-athletes to conduct safe training in some capacity upon their return to campus, if state guidelines and health and safety conditions allow. Though the season will most certainly be different from any before it, we will continue to explore ways for our student-athletes to actively engage with their coaches and teammates, including the possibility of competing during the spring season.

How will student-athletes be kept safe during practices and training?

As at the College at large, a number of protocols and policies will be enacted for the safety of both student-athletes and the entire community engaged in athletic or fitness activity, including requiring personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing, sanitary and disinfection processes, safe and appropriate care of student-athlete injuries, amongst others.

When will student-athletes be moving into residence halls?

Fall student-athletes will return to campus with all Curry students beginning on August 10. Please monitor your Curry email closely for communications from the Office of Housing and Residential Life concerning your move in date and related details. Coaches will contact student-athletes soon thereafter to provide information on practices, workouts, and other related matters.

What about Club Sports, Intramurals and the Fitness Center? Will they be offered/open in the Fall?

Intramurals will be held on campus in the fall, following guidelines outlined by the Commonwealth reopening plan under Adult Amateur Sports Activities. A schedule and additional league information will be forthcoming. The Fitness Center will be open with extended hours and registration required for use in order to ensure social distancing.

EVENTS

The current guidance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not allow gatherings of more than 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors. This impacts the College’s usual event schedule, from Convocation to theater productions. We will continue to follow all state guidance in this matter, and will offer a robust schedule of small in-person and virtual offerings to engage our community in the meantime.

Class of 2020 Commencement

Curry College is committed to celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2020 with an in-person ceremony as soon as it is safe to do so. Further information will be available in August; please visit the Commencement section for updates.

Fall 2020 Welcome Week

In keeping with our Welcome Week tradition, special events and programming will be held during the week of August 10, culminating in a virtual Academic Convocation on August 17, the first day of classes. The College will present both in-person and virtual special events for student groups, as well as programming for all students on a variety of topics and areas including (but not restricted to):

  • Civic Engagement
  • Wellness
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Leadership
  • Career Development
  • Campus Health and Safety
  • Academic Success
  • Spiritual Life

A full schedule with event details will be forthcoming, as we look forward to welcoming our first-year students to our beautiful campus for the first time, and our upper class students back to their home away from home.

Fall 2020 Academic Convocation

Convocation will be held virtually this year. Please save the date for Monday, August 17, and check your Curry email for further details.

Homecoming and Family Weekend 2020

Under current public health guidance, the College has determined that Homecoming and Family Weekend must be held virtually this year. Should that change, we will communicate with our community immediately. We look forward to providing a weekend full of opportunities for students, families and alumni to connect virtually with each other and with Curry!