We have summarized the policies and requirements below that will be in place for all students when the Fall Semester 2022 begins. While we are encouraged that the rates of community transmission are lower than last year, we are continuing to monitor the public health landscape and to consult with infectious disease experts on best practices to protect the health and safety of our community. These policies are subject to change if rates of positivity increase, or if new public health guidance is issued.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
All students studying, living, and working on campus must be "up to date on vaccinations" as defined by the CDC, subject to approved medical or religious exemptions, before coming to campus. To apply for a medical or religious exemption, please email LesleyHealthService@lesley.edu no later than August 1. You may not come to campus unless you are either up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations or have received an approved exemption.
Other Immunizations
All students also must be up to date on additional immunizations required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our Immunization webpage explains these requirements and how to submit your immunization records. Students with questions about immunization requirements should please contact LesleyHealthService@lesley.edu.
Flu Shots
We will require all residential students to get a flu shot this fall; others are strongly encouraged to do so, too. Free flu shots will be offered at Student Health Services for residential students once this year’s dose is available. Local pharmacies and clinics also offer flu shots and most health insurance covers the cost.
COVID-19 Testing Requirements
At this time, we are not planning to require asymptomatic students to be tested on a regular basis.
However, testing will be required in the circumstances described below:
Entry Testing for Residential Students: All students living in Lesley housing must take a PCR test and a rapid test immediately upon arrival on campus. Arrival testing will be conducted on campus. We strongly encourage residential students to test just prior to arrival and stay at home if they test positive. Students who test positive when they arrive on campus will be required to isolate. Those who live nearby are encouraged to isolate at home. A limited number of isolation rooms will be set aside on campus for students who cannot isolate at home.
Testing Based on Symptoms or Exposure: PCR testing will be required for all residential students who may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have had a known close contact exposure. The hours and locations of free on-campus testing will be posted on our COVID-19 Testing Schedule webpage. Non-residential students who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should isolate at home. If testing is not available to them at home, they may come to campus only to get tested.
Required testing for students with approved exemptions from COVID-19 vaccination: It remains our policy that all community members who have an approved exemption from our COVID-19 vaccination requirement be tested twice a week through the on-campus testing service as a condition of living, studying or working on campus.
Use the CoVerified App to Get Your Test Results: Please download the CoVerified mobile app to check the results of on-campus testing. You can read more information about the CoVerified App here.
In the Event of a Positive Test Result
Any student living or studying on campus who tests positive for COVID-19 must notify us immediately and remain in isolation either off campus or in their Lesley housing and await further instruction. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 also must immediately notify us of their Lesley close contacts. They should notify their non-Lesley close contacts directly. To the extent possible, we will alert Lesley close contacts of COVID-19 positive cases of the possibility of an exposure and provide them with instructions, although we may not be able to do so in very case.
Symptoms
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please do not come to campus. Please notify us if you are living in Lesley housing and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. The protocol in response to experiencing COVID-19 symptoms includes isolating from campus and getting tested.
Masks
On May 23, the City of Cambridge issued an advisory strongly recommending that people wear a mask when indoors in public settings. We strongly recommend masking indoors and require masks as noted below.
- Masks are required in these areas:
- COVID-19 testing sites on campus
- Student Health Services offices
- Student Counseling Center offices
- Lesley Shuttles and Athletic Buses
- Masks are required for these individuals:
- Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, for a period of ten days
- Anyone who is a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, for a period of ten days
- Facilities staff, Public Safety officers, and dining services staff in certain situations
- Masks may be required in some classrooms at the discretion of the faculty member. Faculty will communicate their decisions directly to the students.
- Masks may be required in some administrative offices at the discretion of the staff.
Visitors to Campus
For health and safety as well as security, a Lesley ID card is needed to enter all campus buildings. Access to Lesley buildings is strictly limited to those current students, faculty, staff, whose vaccination status we have affirmed. Family members who wish to meet with Student Accounts, Enrollment, or an individual faculty or staff member must schedule an appointment and complete the Visitor Self-Assessment Form no more than 48 hours prior to the meeting.
The following exceptions to the limited-visitors policy are allowed:
- Residential students may visit each other in other residence halls, and residential students may invite a non-residential student to be a guest in their room.
- Family members of residential students may enter the residence halls to assist students during the scheduled move-in days in August and September. We strongly recommend that family members wear masks if they enter a residence hall and that they limit their time indoors to that needed to assist with moving activities.
- Family and friends may visit students outdoors on campus at other times, and the ground floor retail areas of University Hall (1815 Mass Ave) are open to the public.
- Certain events, performances and exhibits will allow outside guests, subject to room capacity, proof of vaccination status, and other appropriate conditions.
Further Questions? Please refer to our website for more detailed information on all these policies and contact COVID_Update@lesley.edu if you have any questions.
Thank you in advance for following our COVID-19 protocols, which are designed to protect the health and safety of our community.