COVID-19 Safety Protocols Update – March 8, 2022

To the Wesleyan Community,
Today, after two years of dealing with COVID-19, the Pandemic Planning Committee is announcing some changes to the policies currently in place on campus. As I reflect on what we’ve experienced as a community, I want to express profound gratitude for everything you have done to help keep Wesleyan safe during such a tumultuous time.   

As the pandemic evolves, so does our response to it. We are moving from a state of emergency to a state of watchful concern, much like our concern with seasonal health risks. Changes to our policies for those who are fully vaccinated and boosted will go into effect during the week of March 21, 2022.

Lowering COVID-19 Alert Level to Green

Thanks to low positivity rates on campus and across the state, the Pandemic Planning Committee has decided to drop our alert level to green and relax some restrictions starting February 7.  
Student dining across campus will open and campus social gatherings can take place. If the weather allows, we do suggest, when possible, using grab-and-go dining and eating outside to reduce risk. Similarly, we also recommend holding informal social gatherings outside, when the weather permits. Students may also patronize restaurants and shops in Middletown.

Information for Start of Spring Semester – Jan 19, 2022

To the Wesleyan community:     

We want to thank you for attending our spring semester webinar last week. We know that the delay to the beginning of the semester has been challenging for some families, and we appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we strive to keep the Wesleyan community safe. We are taking a cautious approach now with the hope that it will allow for a full and rich semester of activity.   The University looks forward to welcoming students back to campus beginning January 27. Based on questions asked during the webinar, and to help you get ready for a safe return, we are sharing some important information.    

Upcoming Webinar: Spring Semester 2022 Protocols

To the Wesleyan community,

We invite you to join us for a webinar Friday, January 14, titled Campus Update: Spring Semester 2022 Protocols.  The webinar for staff and faculty will take place at 10 a.m. EST.The webinar for students and families will take place at noon EST.  President Michael S. Roth and members of the University’s Pandemic Planning Committee will discuss the plans for the upcoming spring semester. There will also be time to answer your questions. 

Raising COVID-19 Alert Level to Yellow – Jan 10, 2022

To the Wesleyan Community:   
With the number of COVID-19 cases increasing on campus and throughout the state, as a precautionary measure, the Pandemic Planning Committee has decided to raise the current alert level to Yellow.
The positivity rate on campus is 5.5 percent, as of Friday, January 7.  Please note the following changes and reminders.

Delaying Start of Spring Semester – January 4, 2022

Dear friends, 

Given the rise in COVID-19 cases and predictions about the trajectory of the pandemic, Wesleyan will delay the beginning of spring semester classes until Thursday, January 27. Spring break will now be March 12–20. 

Classes on Thursday, January 27 and Friday, January 28 will be held virtually before in-person classes resume on Monday, January 31. This will allow students to be tested for COVID-19 at Beckham Hall, and receive results, before they return to in-person learning. Housing will open beginning Thursday, January 27.

Winter Session Classes Going Virtual

To the Wesleyan community:    

The Pandemic Planning Committee is writing to let you know that, out of an abundance of caution, those winter session classes previously scheduled to take place in-person will now be virtual.     

We recognize that this change will only affect a small number of students, faculty, and staff, as most of our winter classes were already taking place online. However, the continued uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant and upcoming holiday travel has led us to take this precautionary measure.    

October 12, 2020: Update on 2020-21 Winter Sports Season

To the Wesleyan community,

On October 8, 2020, the NESCAC presidents decided unanimously to cancel NESCAC conference competition, including conference championships, for the winter season. The health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and the broader community, remain the foremost concerns for each institution and for the conference as a whole.

Wesleyan remains closed to outside visitors, and so we are not planning any intercollegiate competitions. We will continue to evaluate the public health situation in this regard. Meanwhile, the faculty and staff of the Department of Athletics have done a great job of providing a robust on-campus experience for our student-athletes this fall. We are committed to continuing these programs with the start of winter practices later this week (October 15).

August 3, 2020: New State Guidance for Faculty

Dear colleagues,

In response to Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s recent Executive Order/Travel Advisory, Wesleyan has been advised to make further changes to our opening plans for the fall semester. The University is thus updating information we previously provided, and it is possible we will need to make further changes as the public health context or state guidelines evolve. 

July 16, 2020: Wesleyan Fall 2020 Academic Experience

Dear Wesleyan Students and Families,

Last week Wesleyan announced its plans for the fall semester. President Roth and other members of the Wesleyan community hosted webinars and town halls to begin the process of answering all the many questions students and families have as they prepare for next year.

We write to you now with a focus on the academic experience—what teaching and learning will be like on our campus in these new and uncertain times. In this newsletter we’ve compiled important dates, contact information for further questions, and other resources to assist you as we move forward towards the fall semester.