Summer on Campus and Updated BU Public Health Guidelines

The following was sent to all students on the Charles River Campus on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Friends,

As the data related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to improve in Massachusetts, staff across the University have been formulating plans to repopulate our campuses over the next few months. We write today to share the highlights of our repopulation plan and important updates to the University’s public health protocols, through the summer terms. Please review this information carefully; additional details and FAQs can be found on the Back2BU website.

While we all look forward to enjoying fewer restrictions, we need to maintain our goal of fostering a safe living, learning, and working environment for all members of our community as our campuses further repopulate. Our guiding principles center on maintaining the multi-faceted approach to reduce viral transmission that served us well during the prior academic year, gradually repopulating our campuses, and continuing specific public health protocols that will be most effective for all of us to safely engage with each other.

Vaccination

Vaccination is an essential component for a successful return to full campus activities. As President Brown recently outlined, all students who will be present on our Charles River, Fenway, and Medical Campuses are required to be vaccinated before the start of the fall semester and submit proof of vaccination by August 1. For graduate students who are starting their fall semester coursework in July and August, proof of vaccination should be uploaded by July 1.

If you are not already vaccinated, check with Boston University Vaccine Clinics for availability. If you’re not on or near campus, you can text your zip code to GETVAX and you will receive a message back with three possible vaccination sites, along with phone numbers to call for an appointment. As students studying, working, or living in Massachusetts, you can also go to the MA VaxFinder website to schedule an appointment.

Physical Distancing Policy – Updated Effective June 14

As of June 14, all physical distancing (6-foot/2-meter distancing) requirements will be lifted on BU’s campuses. Classrooms are currently configured to accommodate 6-foot/2-meter distancing; this configuration will remain throughout the summer but will not be in place for fall classes. Physical distancing will no longer be required on any campus, either indoors or outdoors, but most classrooms will remain configured for 6-foot/2-meter distancing until fall. Certain healthcare facilities may choose to continue physical distancing practices.

Face Covering Policy – Updated Effective June 1

As of June 1, we will no longer require the use of face coverings outdoors on BU campuses regardless of vaccination status or ability to physically distance. Face coverings will still be required indoors in classrooms, offices, public common areas, the BU shuttle, and healthcare facilities. Face coverings will not be required in private offices, residence halls and apartments. They may be removed while actively eating and drinking in dining halls and lunch and break rooms, and we encourage physical distancing whenever face coverings are removed.

Updated Campus Visitors Policy

With the warmer weather, we expect to see more visitors to campus, including prospective and admitted students and their families. Please review the Campus Visitors Policy which has been updated for summer to accommodate visitors. All visitors are expected to comply with the safety protocols and guidelines established by the University.

Community Testing and Attestation – No Changes for Summer

Throughout the summer, we will continue the community testing program without any changes. Green badging will still be required at the test collection sites and at a variety of locations on campus, including but not limited to the dining halls, FitRec, the George Sherman Union, and the Howard Thurman Center. If you have set your LfA status to indicate that you are on campus, you will need to complete your daily attestation. As with before, if you are coming to or leaving campus, you should continue to adjust your LfA status 24 hours in advance.

Be well,

Judy Platt
Director of Student Health Services

Daniel Kleinman
Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs

Kenneth Elmore
Associate Provost and Dean of Students

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