We Are WPI

As a result of all you’ve done, the university will transition to TechFlex/Green status on March 1. We couldn’t have done it without you, and we won’t be able to keep doing it without you, either. 

While we did have a campus status update, “green” doesn’t mean “all systems go”—campus isn’t entirely back to normal, so be sure to stay vigilant and keep working to #ProtectTheHerd by covering your faces, keeping your distance, and limiting your close contacts. Following the science has gotten us this far; let’s not stop now as we continue toward the light at the end of the tunnel.

Frequently Asked Questions
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What Do You Need to Know Now?

Click the links below to get more info on the impact of TechFlex/Green status

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All Students

  • We will continue to live by the WPI Together Pledge to stay as safe as possible.

  • Students remote for C-Term must remain remote; there can be no onboarding until D-Term.

  • Continue to wear face coverings, keep socially distanced, and wash/sanitize hands frequently.

  • Form a small group of friends—a “pod” of fewer than 10 people—who share your approach to prevention to help minimize close contacts.

  • Beyond the pod, social gatherings should either be outside and distanced, or inside with limited numbers, distanced, and with faces covered. When eating with non-pod friends, keep a safe distance and keep your face covered between bites. Don’t linger in groups.

  • Students must continue to follow the Code of Conduct and COVID-19 Addendum

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Academics & Research

  • Research, classes, and lab courses in person where social distancing is possible.

  • Student project teams can now meet on campus in person. 

  • The majority of IQP projects will continue remotely. MQP students will work directly with their advisor on project plans. 

  • Music and theater courses and classes may meet if they comply with social distancing and state guidelines. 

    • Group singing or playing of brass/wind instruments is only permitted outdoors at this time. 

    • Individual singing or playing of brass/wind instruments is permitted indoors in individual practices spaces (one person per room; door closed, cleaning high touch surfaces before and after use, and one-hour ventilation time between each use) or outdoors.

  • All international and off-campus project travel remains suspended for the academic year. 

  • Research operations can expand, in accordance with lab reopening plans submitted to the Vice Provost for Research.

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Health, Safety & Wellness

  • Remain highly vigilant: Wear face coverings, practice social distancing, keep your areas clean, and do not gather in groups. These protocols work best when used together. 

  • All students will continue with scheduled COVID-19 testing and daily use of the Symptom Tracker.

    • Undergraduate students will continue testing twice a week for the foreseeable future.

  • We will still follow our quarantine and isolation procedures.

  • Any student who doesn’t feel well should still stay home and contact the WPI Health Team.

    • If a student already is on campus and begins to feel unwell, they should go back to their residence and report their symptoms on the Symptom Tracker.

    • Employees who feel unwell should either stay home or immediately go home if they already are on campus. Employees should contact their personal physician and report their symptoms on the Symptom Tracker.

  • Students can connect with the many resources WPI offers, including the Student Development and Counseling Center (SDCC) for mental health concerns: 508-831-5540 or sdcc@wpi.edu. 

  • There is no room in our community for stigma, whether related to COVID-19 or anything else. For support regarding stigma, contact the SDCC.

  • Exercise to help reduce stress and stay active and healthy; outside workouts are best, especially when the weather is good.

More Health Info Student Development & Counseling Back to Top

Employees

  • Employees should work with their supervisors to continue to manage their on-campus or remote working responsibilities.

  • Faculty can move their classes to in-person if they choose, following all capacity guidelines.

  • Research operations can expand, with some continued restrictions on lab occupancy and human subjects; the Vice Provost for Research will provide details separately.

  • Employees who feel unwell should either stay home or immediately go home if they are on campus. Employees should contact their personal physician and report their symptoms on the Symptom Tracker.

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Residential Life

  • Guests from outside the WPI community are not permitted in residential halls, apartments, or suites.
  • To comply with social distancing guidelines, one visitor is allowed per resident per living unit, not to exceed 10 total people in a space at one time.
  • In residential housing, all lounges and common areas (including tech suites) are closed, and community bathrooms have occupancy caps and specific instructions for use, cleaning, and schedules, all in alignment with proper social distancing.
  • Students living in apartment-style housing are required to clean their bathrooms and kitchen areas regularly in accordance with posted guidelines.
  • All residence halls and dining locations will be following strict, enhanced cleaning protocols.

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Student Life

  • Clubs, organizations, recreation programs, table sitting, events and meetings are permitted in-person but participants must adhere to strict capacities based on state capacity guidelines and university event guidelines.

  • Upcoming offerings and a calendar of student events can be found both on Campus Labs and on the University Calendar.

  • Student-focused offices and services, including the Student Activities office, are fully open, staffed, and their services available, either in-person or most virtually. More information on hours of operation, etc. can be found on each office’s respective website; find a list on the Student Experience page.

  • For the safety and well-being of our campus community, campus buildings will require card access. To continue serving students, all campus offices are fully operational and staff are available for student assistance.

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Dining

  • On-campus dining locations will continue to be de-densified, using a reservation system, online ordering, and takeout options to promote social distancing. 

  • Dining halls will offer more socially distanced seating for students. 

  • Grab-and-go is still encouraged. 

  • Do not move tables or chairs closer together.

  • Keep your face covered between bites. 

  • Updated hours, menus, and other information can be found on Dine On Campus.

  • Enhanced cleaning protocols remain in place, and hand sanitizer is available at the entrances of each dining location on campus.

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Campus Operations & Facilities

  • Only faculty, students, and staff who are participating in WPI’s COVID-19 testing program have access to campus facilities.

  • For the safety and welfare of our campus community, campus buildings require card access. 

  • Tech suites in the Library and in the Foisie Innovation Studio will be open and will follow state occupancy and social distancing guidelines. 

  • Campus shuttle will follow a regular schedule. Get the schedules here.

  • Cleaning and disinfecting protocols will be focused on high-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas.  Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer will be provided in classrooms and other spaces.

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Athletics

  • WPI varsity athletics will continue to follow the guidelines set by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), CDC, ACHA, Massachusetts governor and our conference, NEWMAC (New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference).

  • WPI club sports will continue to follow CDC/NIRSA/ACHA/Mass. state/NCAA guidelines.

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International Students

  • The Office of International Student Life has virtual walk-in hours for questions Monday through Friday from 3-4 p.m., and Wednesdays 9-10 a.m. Appointments can also be made with individual advisors. Instructions on how to book an appointment are available on the main page of the International House website.

  • Travel restrictions by the U.S. and other countries continue to make travel to the U.S. more challenging than usual. WPI urges all students traveling internationally to review travel policies and restrictions for their country, as well as any countries they will transit through on their way home or to the U.S. Additional resources can be found through NAFSA on US entry information, the CDC COVID testing requirements for US bound flights, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts travel guidelines while deciding on travel options.

  • Please be in contact with the Office of International Student Life if you plan to travel to ensure that you have all the documentation required.

  • Regardless of whether international students are able to physically be on campus, they will have the opportunity to take classes at WPI. Hybrid and remote course options are available to all students. However, if you are currently in your first semester physically present in the U.S., you will need to have at least one hybrid course/academic experience option on your schedule to be in compliance with U.S. COVID immigration rules.

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Visitors & Vendors

  • Visitors and vendors will continue to be strictly limited to those deemed “essential”—those who need to physically access equipment and/or spaces on campus to support services that are critical to WPI’s mission, those who are essential for operational business continuity, or those who have a direct academic purpose.

  • The campus access form and approval process for essential visitors, vendors, research, and remote employees is available here.

  • The Admissions office is currently holding virtual visits for prospective students in place of in-person visits.

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Events & Meetings

  • Events should still be held virtually where possible; any in-person events must follow state capacity guidelines and university event guidelines. No external visitors are allowed for events.

  • The WPI events office has developed a COVID Reference Guide for plans and protocols including attendance maximums, physical distancing, and wearing face coverings. 

  • Massachusetts guidance may change at any time and may affect events.

Events Reference Guide  Back to Top