Dear Students,

Whether you are on campus or online, welcome back, and to our spring transfer students, welcome to Boston College!  While the fall semester brought many unique challenges, I am grateful for the tremendous effort the majority of our students made to comply with CDC, Departments of Health, and University policies and guidelines, which helped keep the community safe, and allowed Boston College to successfully complete an on-campus experience in the midst of a global pandemic.

As the spring 2021 semester begins, it is critical that everyone continue to follow the letter and spirit of all health and safety protocols and University and public health policies and guidelines. These protocols, policies and guidelines have been established to help maintain the health and safety of the entire Boston College community, and allow for the continuation of on-campus learning and engagement in formative experiences.  Regardless of intentions, the potential negative health outcomes resulting from high-risk behavior are significant. Consequently, students who violate policies related to COVID-19 may lose their housing privileges and/or be suspended from the University.  I am hopeful that all students will continue to respond to the call to live as people “for and with others” and demonstrate the proper restraint and decision-making required to help preserve the health and safety of the greater community. 

It is important that you take a few moments to review the Student Code of Conduct and other University policies and guidelines related to COVID-19 before arriving on campus. The Student Code of Conduct provides information on community standards and the process of addressing violations of these expectations and policies. In particular, I ask you to carefully review Coronavirus Expectations found on page 3 of the Student Code.

Coronavirus Expectations: All undergraduate and graduate students living on and off-campus are expected to comply with all public health and University policies and directives, including the Eagles Care Pledge, regarding health and safety requirements related to COVID-19. Among other things, the University requires students to:

• wear appropriate face masks or coverings,
• maintain appropriate physical distancing on and off campus,
• participate in move-in testing and quarantining,
• participate in ongoing surveillance testing,
• be responsive and comply with contact tracers,
• monitor symptoms,
• limit travel and follow travel directives,
• adhere to quarantine and isolation protocols, and
• follow additional directives from the University and public health officials.

Students who do not comply with COVID-19 policies and directives may be referred to the student conduct process and be sanctioned, including but not limited to Housing Suspension and University Suspension. These expectations apply to all students, regardless of previous testing status or receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Students living on campus are also expected to comply with all Residential Life policies and agreements, including the Conditions for Residency–COVID-19 Addendum.  Currently, for students living in traditional-style residence hall rooms (singles, doubles, triples, and quads), only one guest at a time is permitted in the entire residential unit. For students residing in suite or apartment style housing, a total of two guests at a time are permitted in the entire residential unit. Only other residential students are eligible as guests, and therefore, off-campus students, commuter students, and non-BC affiliates currently are not permitted in the residence halls.

Given the heightened health and safety risks associated with gatherings that do not easily allow attendees to physically distance and abide by other University expectations, undergraduate and graduate students may not host or participate in social gatherings or parties, indoors or outdoors, in which physical distancing is not or cannot be maintained or which do not comply with Massachusetts limitations on gatherings in effect at the time (www.mass.gov). These expectations apply to all locations, including, but not limited to, off-campus apartments, restaurants/bars, private homes, hotels/Airbnb, other colleges and universities, and vehicles, including party buses and limos.  Students hosting and/or attending such gatherings or parties will be subject to sanctions through the Student Conduct process, including but not limited to Housing Suspension and University Suspension. Generally, students who organize or host a gathering that violates University policies will receive increased status sanctions, including, without limitation, University Suspension.

I also draw your particular attention to several other key policies in the Student Code of Conduct, including the following:

• Alcohol Policy – page 22
• Drug Policy – page 23
• Help-Seeking Policy – page 25
• Smoking – page 31
• Title IX and Sexual Misconduct – page 27
• Bias Motivated Conduct – page 26

Any alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct, including violations of the Coronavirus Expectations, may be reported to the Office of Student Conduct by completing the online reporting form.

Thank you for taking the time to review and understand the University’s expectations as we begin a new semester. Working together, we can carry-forward the successes of the fall semester and complete a successful on-campus, in-person educational and formational experience this spring.

Sincerely, 

Corey Kelly, Ph.D.
Director of Student Conduct