COVID-19 Spring Semester Transitions

The following was sent to all members of the Boston University Community on Thursday, March 24, 2022 from Dr. Judy Platt, MD, Chief Health Officer and Executive Director of Student Health Services. Please note the content on these pages and files is no longer being updated and may be out of date.

Dear Members of our Boston University Community, 

On March 1, we communicated several COVID-19 protocol transitions. Since that time, we have continued to experience favorable trends at Boston University with little to no indication of severe illness or hospitalizations due to COVID-19. I write today to update all of you on our COVID-19 plans for the remainder of the Spring Semester. 

Face Masks 

Our updated face mask policy continues to remain in effect and masks are no longer required to be worn in most areas on our campuses.  

After careful consideration, we have decided that masks will continue to be required indoors for classes through the end of Charles River Campus Spring Semester, which officially ends on May 13, 2022. After that date, masks will no longer be required for classes on any campus. Masking mandates will remain in place for the BU Shuttle and in all healthcare facilities until further notice.  

A high-quality mask (such as N95s, KN95s, KF94s, and FFP2s) worn correctly will significantly reduce the risk of viral transmission even if others around you are not masked. 

Regular Campus Community PCR Testing 

Our regular community testing will continue to be available for all Boston University faculty, students, and staff through May 23, 2022. Current graduate and undergraduate students are expected to continue weekly testing until they leave campus or until May 13, 2022. 

Our collection sites and kiosk locations will no longer be offering weekend testing after Sunday, April 3, 2022. We will continue to offer collection site and kiosk drop-off hours Monday through Friday as indicated below: 

    • Drop-Off Kiosk (1019 Commonwealth and One Silber Way only): 7am – 8pm. Employees only 
    • 808 Gallery & 700 Beacon Street: 8am – 9pm. Employees and students  
    • MED Campus: 7am – 8pm. Employees and students 
    • Health Services Annex: 8am – 9pm. Employees and students by appointment 

Please continue to make appointments through the Healthway portal for the most up to date collection site and kiosk schedules. If you have an existing weekend appointment after April 3, please reschedule.  

Symptomatic Testing for COVID-19 

After May 23, only symptomatic testing will be available. More details about this process will be forthcoming in communications later this semester. 

On-campus Isolation Housing 

Our on-campus isolation facility located on East Campus will remain open through June 1, 2022. Moving forward from that date, all on-campus students, regardless of living situation, will be required to isolate in place at their assigned campus residence if they test positive for COVID-19. When possible, students are also encouraged to return to their permanent residence by private car to complete their isolation period.  

Vaccination and Booster Requirements 

The most significant medical advancement against severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19 that we have is vaccination. We will continue to require that all BU community members be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, which includes a primary vaccination series as well as a booster, within the appropriate timeframe. We also continue to strongly recommend that all visitors to Boston University are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.  

Commencement Planning 

We are excited that in-person commencement and convocation planning are underway with more details that can be found on our Commencement 2022 website. Masks will be optional at these events and vaccination is strongly encouraged for all guests. 

Summer Planning 

We anticipate full campuses both here and abroad with a return to our typical summer courses, programs, orientations, and camps. Routine community testing and arrival testing will not be available during the summer sessions.  

The University will continue to monitor COVID-19 trends and our requirements and guidance will be updated accordingly on our Back2BU website. 

Many thanks for your support and adherence during these transitions, 

Judy Platt, MD 
Chief Health Officer and Executive Director 

Post Your Comment