Dec. 23, 2021: COVID-19 Protocol Updates, Including Vaccine Booster Requirement
Dear Lesley Community,
As the fall semester draws to a close, we are writing to provide information about on-campus plans and protocols for January and the spring semester, particularly with respect to COVID-19 testing requirements.
Lesley’s COVID-19 protocols are available on our website and updated from time to time to reflect the evolving response to the pandemic. We are now introducing a vaccine booster requirement for students and employees working on campus.
We will continue to monitor CDC, Massachusetts, and Cambridge guidance and consult with health experts to adjust our health and safety measures as the pandemic evolves.
We describe our current plans below and will provide updates with any changes.
January and Spring Semester – Working on Campus
As was announced at the University Council meeting last week, we will continue to operate on-campus activities and remote work arrangements as we have been this fall semester until further notice. For faculty and staff who need to make a change to their working arrangements, please talk with your supervisor and the Office of Human Resources. Otherwise, work arrangements will continue as they have this fall.
January Residencies and Intensive Courses on Campus – Testing Pre-Arrival and During Program
Students, faculty, and staff participating in low-residency courses and intensive courses on campus in January must present proof of a negative individual COVID-19 PCR test before coming to campus and a second negative test if on-campus seven or more days after the date of the first test.
The pre-arrival PCR test must be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival on campus. Test results must be submitted to covid_update@lesley.edu. Please allow at least 24 hours for the test result to be received and reviewed by the university before coming to campus to start the program.
Pre-arrival PCR tests may be obtained off-campus. Alternatively, participants may come to campus for the sole purpose of obtaining the pre-arrival PCR test before returning to campus for their programs. Free on-campus testing will be available on the following dates and times in the Marran Gallery on the Doble Campus (34 Mellen Street, Cambridge):
Monday, January 3, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 4, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 5, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 6, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, January 7, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Monday, January 10, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 11, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 12, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 13, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, January 14, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Participants who will be on campus seven or more days after the date their pre-arrival test was taken must obtain a second PCR test.
Participants may register in advance for on-campus testing using their Lesley email addresses.
We understand that the timeframe for receiving COVID-19 PCR test results off-campus may be longer than anticipated. Please contact covid_update@lesley.edu if you need assistance arranging for a PCR test.
Spring Semester - Testing Requirements
Pre-Arrival or Re-Entry Testing
We will provide information in January about pre-arrival or re-entry testing requirements, particularly for the following students and employees: residential students, residential employees, current season student-athletes and coaches, students and employees traveling from outside the U.S., and unvaccinated students and employees authorized to be on campus.
Weekly Testing
The following students, employees, and additional staff will be required to participate in weekly routine PCR testing on campus: residential students, residential employees, current season student-athletes and coaches, unvaccinated students, and employees authorized to study and work on campus (these individuals must test twice each week), and staff working in the dining halls, Public Safety, and facilities departments.
Continued Health and Safety Protocols
All other students and employees studying and working on campus may voluntarily participate in the university’s weekly PCR testing program.
The testing requirements are in addition to the university’s other COVID-19 protocols, including wearing a mask at all times when indoors and in the presence of others, maintaining a distance when eating with others, and remaining off-campus (or in separately designated housing for residential students) when experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms or testing positive for COVID-19.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster
During the fall semester, over 98% of Lesley faculty and staff and over 96% of students authorized to be on campus were fully vaccinated against COVID-19; all others had approved exemptions.
We are now updating our COVID-19 vaccine requirement to require all eligible students, faculty, and staff studying and working on campus to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine booster. Information is available at vaxfinder.mass.gov for Massachusetts locations offering vaccine boosters.
Due to the eligibility criteria, there will be a rolling deadline for obtaining the vaccine booster. All individuals who are eligible to receive a booster on or before January 15, 2022, must comply by February 15, 2022. Individuals who are eligible after January 15, 2022, will have 30 days from their date of eligibility to comply with this policy.
All previously approved medical and religious accommodations specific to COVID-19 vaccination will apply to the vaccine booster requirement. Students should contact the Dean of Students and employees should contact the Office of Human Resources with any changes or questions.
A new federal law will require Lesley to gather COVID-19 vaccine records; we will provide information about how to provide vaccine and vaccine booster documents next month.
Importance of Compliance
Thank you for following the COVID-19 protocols, which are designed to protect our community.
Individuals who do not comply with our COVID-19 protocols risk having their campus privileges suspended or revoked. If you have specific concerns about individuals who may not be following our protocols, please email COVID_Update@lesley.edu immediately.
Thank you for your attention and care for our community this fall, and we wish you all the best for the end of the semester and a healthy and relaxing winter break with family and friends.
Lesley University COVID-19 Safety
Nov. 19, 2021: Important Updates on Health & Safety Protocols
Dear Members of the Lesley Community,
As the Thanksgiving break approaches, we would like to share an update on our COVID-19 health and safety protocols and information on flu shots. We are very appreciative of our community’s high rate of vaccination and compliance with the requirements for indoor masking and limits on building access and outside visitors. In combination with weekly pooled testing for students and employees living on campus, these measures have been very effective in protecting the health and safety of our community, and we plan to continue the current protocols until further notice while also expanding testing to a few groups. In addition, we will be piloting a few academic programs with a very limited visitor component.
Expanded COVID-19 Testing
Please note the following updates to our COVID-19 testing cadence, as applicable to your status as a student or employee:
I. Students and Employees Living on Campus
Post-Thanksgiving “Re-entry” Testing: All residential students and residential employees who are returning to campus after the Thanksgiving break must be tested immediately upon return to campus and a second time at the end of the week. Testing will be available on campus on Sunday, November 28 (12 pm to 10 pm), and Monday, November 29 (7 am to 12 pm). Residential students and employees have received specific information about this return testing. Pooled testing will not take place on Tuesday, November 30, or Wednesday, December 1, but will resume on Thursday, December 2 (10 am to 8 pm) and Friday, December 3 (10 am to 8 pm). These tests are offered on a walk-in basis in Marran Gallery (34 Mellen Street).
Anyone who develops symptoms over the break must isolate themself off campus, contact Dean Nathaniel Mays (students) or Human Resources (employees), and follow the return-to-campus protocols on our website.
II. Students and Employees with Campus Access Living off Campus
Voluntary Pooled Testing for Students and On-Campus Employees: Starting the week after Thanksgiving, other students, faculty, and staff who are attending classes and working on campus may participate in our weekly pooled testing on a drop-in, first-come-first-served basis. Testing is not required for these students and employees, but some have asked if we can administer tests as a convenience and for additional peace of mind. Please register in advance here. You will need to use your Lesley email to create a new account.
The pooled testing is available from Cataldo Ambulance Service in the Marran Gallery on the Doble Campus at 34 Mellen Street at these times (please note the holiday break closures, which apply to both COVID testing and flu shots during the week of November 22):
COVID-19 Pooled Testing Schedule
Regular schedule:
Monday – 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday – 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Thursday – 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Friday – 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Holiday Week Schedule (Week of Nov. 22)
Monday – 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Tuesday – 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Wednesday – No testing
Thursday – No testing
Friday – No testing
Post-Holiday Break Schedule (Week of Nov. 28)
Sunday – 12 pm to 10 pm
Monday – 7 am to 12 pm
Tuesday – No testing
Wednesday – No testing
Thursday -- 10 am to 8 pm
Friday -- 10 am to 8 pm
Individual PCR Testing for Symptomatic and Close Contact Employees:
In addition, individual PCR testing is available by appointment (through the COVID_Update@lesley.edu email) to students, faculty, and staff who are attending classes and working on campus who develop COVID-19 symptoms or are in close contact with individuals who have COVID-19. Please review our protocols for individuals on campus who have COVID-19 symptoms or who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive on our website.
Please note: Our regular required testing cadence is weekly for all vaccinated residential students and residential employees and twice a week for everyone who is unvaccinated with an approved exemption, whether they are living on campus or commuting to work or study.
Individuals who do not comply with our COVID-19 protocols risk having their campus privileges suspended or revoked. If you have specific concerns about individuals who are not following our protocols, please email COVID_Update@lesley.edu.
Free Flu Shot Clinic
Flu Shot Required for all Living on Campus
We are requiring a flu shot for all students and employees who are living on campus as another means of protecting our community’s health. An email from Dean Mays to residential students on November 14 announced an on-campus flu shot clinic. The clinic is currently open in Marran Gallery on weekdays through Tuesday, November 23 at the same time as COVID-19 testing (see above). Depending on the level of interest and available supply, the flu clinic may be extended after the Thanksgiving break.
If you already had a flu shot off-campus, please send an email to lesleyhealthservice@lesley.edu to update your health record.
Flu Shots Available to Students and Employees with Campus Access Living off Campus
We also are offering flu shots at the clinic to employees approved to work on campus and students approved to attend classes on campus, on a first-come, first-served basis, while the supply lasts.
You may save time by registering in advance here: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cataldo?calendar=82264aa1-b597-4192-b289-998de9541f6c . Please note that the landing page of the website refers to the COVID-19 vaccine. Proceed to the next page, where you can select "flu vaccine (influenza)" and then proceed with making an appointment and reviewing the consent form.
As always, we thank you for taking seriously your individual role in protecting the Lesley community. Please direct all questions about these health and safety protocols to COVID_Update@lesley.edu.
Lesley University COVID-19 Safety
Sep. 9, 2021: Important Updates to Lesley’s COVID-19 Protocols
Dear Members of the Lesley Community,
As the Fall Semester gets underway, we write to bring your attention to some important updates to our COVID-19 health and safety protocols. We ask everyone to read carefully the attached document, which explains our testing requirements, the response to a positive test result, and procedures for reporting and responding to exposure by close contact and/or possible COVID-19 symptoms. The same information is posted on our COVID-19 information page, which we suggest you bookmark as a reference and for future updates.
The cornerstones of our health and safety protocols are vaccination, masking, restricting access to buildings, and testing. In addition to the entry and post-arrival testing required for residential students and those coming from outside the U.S., we are adding surveillance testing for all students and staff in residence halls. This pooled PCR testing will be required weekly for vaccinated members of this group and twice a week for any who are unvaccinated due to a medical or religious exemption. Over the course of the semester, we may expand surveillance testing to include additional employees or students coming to campus.
The attached document describes how we will respond to positive test results, reports of possible COVID-19 symptoms, and instances of known exposure by close contact. The response differs slightly for residential students and staff and for students and employees living off-campus as well as by vaccination status.
In addition, we remind everyone on the campus of these important requirements and guidelines:
- Wear a mask at all times indoors in the presence of others.
- Dine-in small groups (2-4 people), avoid table-hopping, maintain distance while eating.
- Keep your mask on in dining spaces except when taking a bite or sip.
- Stay off campus and notify us immediately if you test positive or develop possible COVID-19 symptoms.
- Notify us immediately if you learn you are in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
- Respect each other’s individual preferences and privacy, especially with regard to asking about vaccination status, maintaining distance, and the choice to wear a mask in situations where it is not mandated.
Supporting the well-being of the community members who are studying, working, and living on campus will require each of us to take steps to protect ourselves and others by following our protocols at all times. We will continue to consult with medical experts and follow the guidance of public health officers, and these requirements are subject to change at any time.
Thank you for taking seriously your individual role in protecting the Lesley community. Please direct all questions about these protocols to COVID_Update@lesley.edu.
Lesley University COVID Safety