Dear Students: While the BC community has had relative success this semester in dealing with COVID-19—including just five positive cases among undergrads this past week out of 8,363 undergraduate tests performed (0.08 positivity rate)—it is important to remember that testing is required and remains a critical component in our ongoing effort to protect the health and safety of our campus community. While recent results are good, we must remain attentive and not become complacent as we continue to learn to live with the coronavirus. Asymptomatic surveillance testing is a key tool in helping to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in our campus community. Accordingly, students who fail to appear for surveillance testing will receive a Canvas account hold that will not allow them to access course materials until the testing requirement is fulfilled. Students who do not comply with testing will also be referred to the Office of Student Conduct, and students who miss multiple required surveillance tests will be issued sanctions that include up to Housing Suspension, University Suspension, and other status sanctions. Additionally, students who repeatedly miss required tests will also be issued privilege restrictions, including not being allowed to attend ticketed events on campus, and the loss of guest registration and future housing privileges. It is imperative that you check your Boston College email account daily and that you comply with each email from Director of University Health Services Dr. Douglas Comeau that instructs you when to report for testing. We all must do our part to help maintain the health of our BC community and the surrounding neighborhood. Sincerely, Shawna Cooper-Gibson, EdD Corey Kelly, PhD Division of Student Affairs |