Last Updated: Mar. 23, 2021
Read the Spring 2021 Health Requirements
Students in quarantine/isolation housing must coordinate the delivery of essential items with the university. Due to public health guidelines, third party delivery services are not allowed during the quarantine/isolation period. Meals and snacks can be ordered through the Sodexo ordering form and will be delivered directly to students.
If a friend or family member would like to drop off a get-well kit, the university will be able to make one delivery during the quarantine/isolation period. Guidelines for this delivery process include:
- The items must be non-perishable.
- The packaged delivery must be no larger than the size of one common carry-on luggage, typically 17x21x14.
- The package can be dropped off at University Police with the student’s name and ID number labeled prominently.
- Deliveries will be made to students on Wednesdays and Sundays of every week between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Student Conduct Policy Addendum
Students are required to continue to follow face-covering and physical-distancing requirements when socializing with anyone inside of their residence hall who is not their direct roommate. Inter-residence hall visitation will continue to be prohibited.
In these uncertain times, the possibility exists that a student will contract COVID-19 and have to leave their residence hall room for an isolation location. We encourage students to have a pre-packed isolation bag ready to go for 10-14 days for use while in isolation. Isolation is mandatory for a minimum of 10 days and quarantine (if you need to relocate) is for a minimum of 14 days.
Some suggested items for an isolation bag include:
- Extra cell phone charger
- Laptop and charger
- A thermometer
- Clothes to wear and change into during your isolation stay including sweatpants, pajamas, t-shirts, underwear, socks and slippers
- Medicine (cough drops, Tylenol, Mucinex, etc.)
- Body lotion, feminine hygiene, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, a hair brush and hair ties
- Prescription medication
- Multiple face coverings
- Books and other entertainment
Students who spent any time outside Massachusetts in the 14 days prior to their return to campus are responsible for complying with the Massachusetts COVID-19 Travel Order. Pre-arrival testing may assist you in complying with the travel order; however, residential students who are required to be in travel quarantine must do so off campus.
It will be important that all members of the community follow campus guidelines to protect ourselves and one another. Residential students are required to comply with health and safety laws, orders, ordinances, regulations and safety guidance adopted by the university. Guidelines for residential students include:
- Wear a face covering when on campus, including within the residence halls whenever outside of your room, apartment or suite.
- Roommates / suitemates will be treated as a family unit, allowing more than one occupant per room where 6 feet of physical distancing is not required. If a roommate / suitemate develops COVID-19 symptoms or is confirmed positive, the student will be required to follow protocols established to isolate themselves. These protocols require that students participate in classes remotely for the isolation period and move out of their housing assignment to self-isolate, returning home if possible. For those unable to travel home, the university will provide on-campus isolation accommodations. All roommates / suitemates will be required to self-quarantine based on the family unit definition and follow recommendations by the university.
- Adhere to signs posted around campus.
- Restrictions will be placed on visitors or guests inside of residence halls.
- No outside furniture will be allowed to be moved into the residence halls.
- Students are required to pack lightly for move-in and only bring essentials.
Cleaning schedule
The university will educate residential students about appropriate cleaning protocols within their assigned spaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in residence halls. Basic cleaning and sanitation methods will be expected of all residents to maintain an appropriate cleanliness standard in their room, suite or apartment. Residents living in suites or apartments are required to clean their own space including restrooms.
Increased cleaning frequencies in all residence hall buildings are designed to meet or exceed the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The areas of focus include common areas, lounges, restrooms and study areas. Additionally, all high-touch surfaces such as door handles, hand rails, fixtures and sinks will be cleaned more often. To promote cleaning and sanitation, additional wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all buildings.
Lounges
The capacity of lounges in residence halls has been reduced, and new occupancy signs will be posted in front of lounge spaces. Students are required to follow the new capacity numbers.
Traffic Patterns
Residence halls will have signs indicating which doors are to be used for entry and exit. New hallway and stairwell directions have also been added.
All international students will have the choice to attend classes online (from abroad) or study on campus in the U.S. (via hybrid, online or in-person instruction). We understand that many students may have visa and other travel-related challenges that make returning to campus difficult for the fall. Students may opt to study online in the fall from outside the U.S. We will assist you with your immigration status as necessary for your individual situation. We are continuing to issue I-20s for the fall 2020 trimester so that you may plan to join us on campus for classes, which would activate your F1 status. However, if you are unable to secure a student visa in time to begin the fall trimester in the U.S., you can register and begin classes remotely and make arrangements to obtain new immigration documentation that will enable to you to begin your F1 status the following trimester.
The Center for International Students and Scholars (CISS) will work with new and continuing students about your fall plans.
Some students may wonder whether they will need to quarantine after arriving in the U.S. Please visit the Bentley Health Center's Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for health-specific questions. If needed, Bentley is prepared to provide space for residential students to quarantine on campus.
Please make sure to check your Bentley email for information about how to report your plans to us. Additionally, CISS will send information about how fall plans may affect your visa status and work authorization as we learn more in the coming weeks. As always, we are available to answer questions related to your immigration status via email GA_CISS@bentley.edu.
More information for international students can be found on the CISS web page in the section, "Returning to Campus - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions."