Spring Semester COVID-19 Updates for Employees - January 5, 2022
Dear Faculty and Staff,
We hope this message finds you well. As you know, the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force has continued to meet and monitor the latest public health guidance and data – including the significant rise in COVID cases in the Boston area, Massachusetts, and around the nation.
The health and safety of students, faculty, and staff continues to be our top priority during this pandemic. We write today with several important COVID-19 updates for the spring semester related to return to campus and remote learning, masks, and testing. Please also review the message sent to students on these issues.
Remote Learning the Week of January 17
After careful consideration and input from our public health experts, Simmons has decided that all classes will be taught remotely during the first week of the spring semester beginning Tuesday, January 18. We plan to resume in-person classes on Monday, January 24, though we will continue to closely monitor the latest University-level and broader public health COVID data.
Virtual learning during this week will help achieve several important goals, including the establishment of a baseline for our on campus COVID caseload, while allowing students, faculty, and staff to establish a regular testing cadence for the spring semester. This remote week will also reduce potential interruptions to teaching and learning during the start of the semester for those who may test positive and need to return home and/or to isolate.
The Fens and Common Grounds will be closed until Monday, January 24.
Returning to Campus
Essential staff have continued to work on campus throughout winter break, and student-facing staff should return to campus next week if scheduled to do so. All other staff should continue to work remotely and/or in conjunction with the unique business needs of their department until January 24. As a reminder, all employees must complete a COVID-19 test (PCR or home test) up to 72 hours before their return to campus.
Employees may test on their own and upload results via CoVerified by following these instructions. During this time, all employees are welcome to come to campus to receive a COVID-19 test and then return home. In addition, all employees must test on the first day of their return to campus for work.
Updated Testing Policy
Given the rise of the Omicron variant, Simmons is updating its testing policy. All students, faculty, and staff who are on campus one day a week will continue to test once a week. If students, faculty, or staff are on campus more than one day a week, they will now need to test twice a week – regardless of vaccination or booster status, until further notice. We will evaluate this policy as the semester continues.
Please note, the COVID testing site will remain in the Linda K. Paresky Center (LKP), not the Special Functions room, as previously communicated, to accommodate all who need testing in a safe and spacious environment. The LKP is located on the third floor of the Main College Building, closest to Palace Road.
Testing Hours
- January 3 – 5: 10am to 4pm at the Health Center, located on the Simmons residential campus
- January 6 - 7: 9am to 3pm in the Linda K. Paresky Center (LKP)
- January 10 – 14: 9am to 3pm in LKP
- January 15 -17: Saturday 9am – 5pm; Sunday 9am – 5pm; Monday 9am – 5pm in LKP
- January 18 (Regular Testing Site Hours Resume): Monday – Thursday 9am – 6pm; Friday 9am-5pm in LKP
Reporting a Positive COVID Test Result
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