Keeping Our Community Safe: Your Questions Answered
Part three of our Babson Together Instagram Q&A series was hosted Student Life, who helped answer your frequently asked questions about how we plan to Safeguard Our Community Together.
Visit the Babson Together site to find answers to additional questions, and follow along as we cover a variety of plan-related topics this month.
“The success of our community’s efforts to keep safe during the COVID-19 pandemic will be a test of our collective integrity,” said Vice President of Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life Lawrence P. Ward. “Every decision made by each individual community member should be grounded in the impact of said decision on others. We’re better when we’re together. To keep our community whole, every student, faculty, and staff must remain committed to following our campus safety protocols.”
Where am I required to wear a mask on campus?
Students are required to wear face coverings snugly over the nose and under the chin when in a public space, while also maintaining an appropriate physical distance of at least 6 feet.
Residential students are not required to wear a face mask while inside their assigned room, but should always maintain appropriate physical distance from a roommate. Students using communal bathrooms should enter and exit with a mask.
What if community members aren’t wearing masks or following requirements?
The Public Safety Department and the Community Standards team will look to assure that expectations for safety are being met on campus. If you are concerned about peers not wearing masks, please contact Community Standards, Public Safety, or fill out our form. Students who demonstrate a blatant disregard for guidelines will be referred to the Student Conduct Process, which may result in a removal from campus and/or College housing.
Are we allowed to regularly go off campus once we move in?
Students are encouraged to remain on campus as much as possible and only travel off campus for necessary errands and engagements (pharmacy, grocery store, work, or internship).
Will students be able to visit other residence halls?
Health and safety within our living spaces is a key priority for a successful return to campus.
Limiting visitors is one mitigation strategy to keeping us together on campus. While residential students cannot host any visitors in their assigned room, including anyone from their residence hall, they can host other Babson community members in designated lounges and study spaces located on main floors of some residence halls. Students can sign into the hub to learn more.
Also, make sure any visitor to campus completes the visitor registration with Public Safety prior to coming onto campus.
Will there be a mandatory quarantine for students coming from out of state or country?
Anyone concerned about needing to quarantine is encouraged to arrive early, to be ready for the start of class. Information about applying for early arrival will be shared mid-July.
As guidelines continue to change, we will continue to update our arrival plans. Currently, Massachusetts requires a 14-day self-quarantine for all visitors arriving from outside of the state with the exception of NY, NJ, CT, RI, NH, VT, and ME.
What will testing look like?
For students on campus or commuting to campus for classes: individual testing will be provided by Health Services for symptomatic students and close contacts who have been identified by trained contact tracers. Mass/surveillance testing also will be provided at regular intervals throughout the fall semester.
We will be covering symptom reporting, testing, tracing, and more in additional detail during our Staying Healthy Together Q&A on July 14!
What will happen to events and other campus activities?
Student Life will continue to support campus-wide programs, events, and activities.
In-person gatherings will follow health guidance for physical distancing and capacity, with opportunities to shift as guidance evolves.
Programs will be more intimate, require registration, and utilize outdoor locations whenever possible.
Clubs, orgs, and meetings are important. How will they happen?
We agree! Join the Office of Student Engagement and student leaders to share your thoughts and insights for the fall club and organization experience on July 25 at 6 p.m. ET.
How often will campus spaces be cleaned/disinfected this fall?
Facilities has deployed enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols that align with CDC guidelines.
This includes more frequent and focused high-touch surface cleaning and the use of technology to cover larger spaces with more precise targeting.
These protocols will be used nightly in all facilities: classrooms, offices, residence halls, and shared spaces. There also will be frequent sanitization of classrooms and other spaces throughout the day.
What about the potential for airborne exposure to COVID-19?
Facilities, in conjunction with Environmental Health and Engineering, are evaluating all building HVAC systems to determine optimal settings to allow for increased air flow. CDC guidelines recommend increasing outside air to interior spaces, where possible, to reduce the potential for airborne exposure.
What changes are being made to campus buildings/spaces with distancing in mind?
- You will see increased visual cues and signage.
- One-way directional signage has been established across campus.
- There will be designated entrances/exits.
- We are limiting access to, and use of, common spaces. Furniture will be moved or designated to adhere to social distancing.
- We’re installing physical barriers/screens where needed.
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