WPI Update: June 29, 2021

DEPARTMENT(S): 
We Are WPI
June 29, 2021

This message was sent to the WPI community.

WPI is planning for a full return to living, learning, teaching, and working on campus for fall ’21. There will be some significant, but measured, changes—this newsletter will provide regular updates and insights.

JUNE 29

Community-Wide

  • From July 1 to August 6, weekly surveillance testing will be optional for fully vaccinated individuals; unvaccinated individuals must continue weekly testing. 
  • WPI is changing its definition of “close contact” to align with the Mass. Department of Public Health’s new definition: Individuals will be considered a close contact only if they were near an infected person while indoors. 
  • Campus access continues to only be open to students who live in the residence halls or who are already approved to be on campus for work or to conduct research for the summer.

For Students

  • Get Your Vaccine: All students who plan to be on campus in any capacity this fall must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must enter the information into Medicat by August 1, 2021. 
  • All international students should have received an email with the WPI International Vaccine Survey; this must be completed as soon as possible.
    • Anyone who didn’t receive it should email ccallahan@wpi.edu with the subject line “Vaccine Survey.” More information is also available in the FAQs.
  • All undergraduate and graduate students are required to complete onboard testing. Check your MyTechFlex in early July for your personalized onboarding date and information. 
    • For a preview of the onboarding dates, visit the Return to Campus Student Checklist. 
    • Students participating in pre-arrival programs should note their specific program’s onboarding date. This is for both students living on and off campus in these programs.
  • A-Term Project Center Travel for Glacier National Park and the Farm Stay Project Center in Paxton has been approved.
  • During A-Term there will be no travel to the Panama City Project Center.
  • During B-Term there will be no travel to Project Centers in Cape Town, South Africa; Hangzhou, China; Melbourne, Australia; or Kyoto, Japan.  
  • Mark your calendars—move-in dates are now available for students living in housing coordinated by Residential Services, as well as students involved in various pre-arrival programs. Your move-in date corresponds with your onboard testing date; visit the moving in website for more specific details.
  • We’re excited to announce the SophEx Program, a yearlong program for the Class of 2024 that offers connections with peers, faculty, and staff, as well as resources to help you get the most from every moment at WPI. Check out the announcement for more information on this free program and to register.
  • Dates have been announced for various orientation programs. More information will follow in the coming weeks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start getting excited now:
    • Graduate Student Orientation: August 20–24
    • New Student Orientation: August 21–24
    • TA Orientation: August 23–24 

For Employees

  • Per OSHA, employees who are unvaccinated and employees with vaccination exemptions must wear face coverings indoors. 
  • New hires must enter their vaccination information immediately into Workday. 

 

Looking Ahead

  • All water fountains will be turned back on by July 1.
  • Furniture for classrooms, labs, and conference rooms will be moved back by July 23.