Update on Vaccinations and COVID-19 Policies

I hope you are well and that you are looking forward to the fun Spring Weekend activities planned for this weekend.  I want to take a quick moment to recognize Kim Ekstrand, the Programming and Activities Council, and all of the student clubs, organizations, and leaders who have worked tirelessly to plan for this weekend.  Thank you!

The COVID-19 vaccine will be available to the general public in Massachusetts as of Monday.  As a student who studies at an institution of higher education in Massachusetts, you can obtain your COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts during the phase in which you qualify, even if you live out of state.  We encourage all students to research the vaccination protocols in their home state as well as in Massachusetts.  Although it will not be a qualifying reason to request summer housing, all students, including those living out of state who can return to Massachusetts for their second dose, are strongly encouraged to utilize the state’s pre-registration system.  Based upon the information you enter, the state will let you know when you qualify for the vaccine and when appointments are available.  For more information, please refer to the Vaccine Preregistration website.  June 2021 Update: Please note that the Vaccine preregistration process in Massachusetts has closed. Please visit COVID-19 vaccination locations for more information about how to obtain your vaccine. Once you are able to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, please email health_services@wheatoncollege.edu with a picture of your completed CDC vaccination card.

Lastly, we continue to see positive cases on campus.  Many of the recent positive cases have been identified as close contacts of a previous positive case and received their positive test result after already being in quarantine.  As we all work together to get through the final few weeks of the semester, please continue to adhere to safety protocols, including testing twice per week, wearing your mask, maintaining social distancing, and limiting your travel off-campus.  Be sure to also adhere to the guest policy, which states residential students are not permitted to have guests that live off-campus or other guests from outside the Wheaton community, including family members, in a residence hall at any time. Each room resident is able, and limited, to host only one on-campus resident guest at a time. At this time, due to the nature of the necessary COVID-19 precautions, “overnight“ guests are not permitted.

If you should have any questions about the information outlined above, please contact covidtesting@wheatoncollege.edu.

Stay safe and be well,

Dean Zack

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