Community Forums Preview Return to Babson College Campus

Park Manor Quad
Listen

At a virtual community forum for undergraduate students and families, Babson College leadership previewed plans for the community’s return to campus this fall.

“Preparing for our return to campus is a considerable process with complex decision factors. Those decisions are guided by two principles: the health and well-being of our community, and academic continuity for our students,” said President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD. “I am proud that we have largely achieved those goals, and they continue to inform our planning. Things will look different this fall, but no matter what, all learning will continue.”

One of a series planned forums over the coming weeks, the gathering was a chance for returning undergraduate students and their families to learn of key decisions, gain insight into the return process and timeline, and hear answers to frequently asked questions.

President Spinelli was joined by: Lawrence Ward, vice president of student affairs and dean of students; Caitlin Capozzi, associate dean for student life; Tracey Reza, assistant dean of the undergraduate school; and Lorien Romito, senior director, international education. The group shared information about evolving plans for campus life, the academic experience, and the steps being taken to ensure the Babson community remains as safe and healthy as possible.

“You (students) are our most important asset,” said Ward. “It is my greatest joy to be involved in the field of education, and I very much look forward to welcoming students back to campus. Please continue to stay safe, please continue to reach out to us with questions, and please continue to believe in one Babson. Because we certainly do.”

A full recording of the forum is available to watch online.

Additional virtual forums will take place over the coming weeks—for faculty and staff on June 17, for incoming undergraduate students and families on June 18, and for returning graduate students in July. A forum for incoming graduate students was held on June 1.

A comprehensive plan for the return to campus will be shared by July 1. The plan is expected to evolve over the summer, taking into consideration progress made on the Reopening Massachusetts plan and the continued guidance and recommendations from the CDC and other public health authorities.

“I am energized both by our developing plan and by the prospect of being together again as a community. We have many details to plan and prepare, and our teams are working to ensure progress continues as information evolves over the weeks and months ahead,” said Spinelli.

Posted in Community

More from Community »

Latest Stories

Man and woman listen to a pitch
Lessons from the Heart of Babson’s Summer Venture Program   Each summer, Babson’s Summer Venture Program gives student founders the tools, mentorship, and momentum to accelerate their ventures. Meet four advisors who are helping shape the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders—one insight at a time.
By
July 22, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

Side-by-side screenshots of the moment caught on camera
When Scandal Strikes the C-Suite: What Two Babson Professors Say Companies Should Do  A viral Coldplay kiss cam moment involving a CEO and human resources leader at a tech startup rocked the company to its core. Babson management professors provided insight into how ventures can survive a leadership scandal.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
July 21, 2025

Posted in Insights

Businesswoman practices deep breathing exercise at workplace desk
How Employees Navigate Mental Illness in the Workplace and What Employers Can Do to Help Emily Rosado-Solomon, an assistant professor at Babson, looks at how employees with mental illness handle their symptoms while at work, a topic that is understudied.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
July 17, 2025

Posted in Insights