Dear Bentley Community,
This week brought the first significant amount of snow, and with it our first remote learning day of the spring term. As a reminder, make sure that your mobile number and email address are up-to-date and accurate in Workday to ensure that you receive important BentleyAlerts in real time. From remote learning days to emergency announcements, it’s important that you stay in the know by receiving BentleyAlerts via text message and email.
As we reopen some facilities and services this week, it remains critically important that all students with access to campus continue to follow the required occupancy restrictions, face-covering requirements and screening testing protocols. Any students who do not follow these important guidelines and policies risk losing their housing assignment for the remainder of the spring term and will be subject to the conduct review process.
As we saw all fall, it takes each and every member of our community doing the right thing to ensure our collective success. Please continue to do your part and be responsible with your social interactions.
In-Person/Hybrid Classes
In-person/hybrid classes are underway this week. For those on campus attending class virtually, there are a number of open academic spaces where you can study and log into class across campus if you’d prefer to utilize space outside your residence hall. A full listing of those spaces can be found here. We encourage you to take advantage of these spaces across campus to help avoid feeling cooped up while engaged in virtual learning.
In-Person Dining
In-person dining will begin in the 921 on Monday, Feb. 8. Remember to wear your face covering at all times when not seated and closely follow all occupancy limits at tables. The dining hall staff is excited to welcome you back!
Shuttle Service
Weekend Shuttle Service to Harvard Square will resume on Friday, Feb 5. The shuttle will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. from Friday to Sunday. As in the fall, make sure you wear your face covering (properly, as detailed below) at all times on the shuttle.
The Dana Center and Fitness Center
The Fitness Center and pool will open on Friday, Feb. 5 starting at 7:00 a.m. to all students enrolled in the screening testing program. Remember to wear your screening test program wristband at all times. Be sure to closely follow occupancy limits in these spaces at all times.
Visiting Other Residence Halls
Residential students will be allowed to visit other residence halls beginning on Friday, Feb. 5. As always, please remember to follow occupancy limits and wear face coverings at all times. If you have any questions about how many guests are allowed in your room, please consult with your RA.
Virtual Events
A number of virtual events have been organized for all Bentley students by the Student Programs and Engagement team. Be sure to visit bentley.campusgroups.com/events for a full list of upcoming events and opportunities to safely engage with one another, whether you’re on campus or studying at home.
Massachusetts Occupancy Limits
As of Feb. 8, faculty and staff who have vice president approval to be on campus but have been working remotely may be able to return to campus, so long as they are participating in the screening testing program. Please continue to check with your supervisors and vice presidents if you wish to access campus at any time this spring.
Face Coverings: One Mask or Two?
Some have suggested that wearing two masks can better protect the public and slow the spread of COVID-19. While the CDC studies those claims, the CDC recommendation continues to be to wear one face covering with two layers of fabric. The most important thing to keep in mind with regards to face coverings is that we wear them correctly and consistently. Whether you wear one mask or two, be sure that they fit securely to your face and that they fully cover both your mouth and nose and you wear it in all settings where face coverings are required.
Massachusetts’s Vaccine Rollout
Vaccines represent an exciting development in our fight against COVID-19. The vaccine rollout will occur in phases mandated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and informed by guidelines from the CDC. Most members of higher education communities will be eligible for vaccination in Phase 3, expected to begin in April. Some members of our community meet Phase 1 or Phase 2 eligibility because of their occupation, and Bentley is working to provide information about vaccination access to those specific individuals. Some members may also be eligible in Phase 2 because of age or medical conditions, and will access vaccination through their healthcare provider, local pharmacy or at community vaccination clinics. We’ll continue to monitor state and federal guidelines and provide updates as available here.
COVID-19 Dashboard
Since the start of the spring trimester, 57 positive cases have been reported on the dashboard. With 9,089 total tests administered, that leaves us at a 0.62% positivity rate.
Geoffrey C. Bartlett, CEM
Director of Emergency Management
