Moving Forward Together
Keeping our WPI family safe and healthy means we’re asking for your pledge to work together to stay together—#WPITogether.
What You Need to Know Now
- While student clubs and organizations will continue meeting during the fall semester, it will be important that participants adhere to the strict meeting space capacity limits based on state and university guidelines and are encouraged to meet virtually when possible.
- Pre-Orientation activities and other New Student Orientation programs are still scheduled to take place on campus, though the dates will be shifted to align with the revised University calendar.
- At the current time, major campus events (Family Weekend, Homecoming, Career Fair, Global Fair, etc.) will likely occur as planned, albeit reimagined virtually, with more details to come as each respective date approaches.
- For the safety and welfare of our campus community, campus buildings will only be accessible via card access.
Student Safety Protocols
We’re continuously focusing on creating a campus environment that’s as reduced risk as possible. To do so, it’s the responsibility of each student, faculty, and staff member to adhere to state and WPI CERT-mandated guidelines, from social distancing and wearing face coverings to washing your hands and staying home if sick. Students must keep themselves and their peers accountable as we work to keep #WPITogether. Learn more about our safety protocols.
Traveling Home or Off-Campus
Safety also includes limiting your exposure to illness, and that means limiting your travel outside your group or off campus. We strongly discourage traveling back and forth from campus to your family home, or to visit friends out of town or out of state for the weekend. If students must leave campus, safety precautions must be followed, including wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing, frequent hand washing, and avoiding contact with anyone who is ill or is possibly ill.
Students are permitted to travel home on academic breaks but breaks will be shorter than usual. The university will announce its decision regarding the remaining two weeks of post-Thanksgiving classes as we get closer to this holiday, depending upon public health trends at the time.
New Student Orientation
Pre-orientation programs and New Student Orientation will still be held on campus prior to the start of the academic year for all new incoming students—including commuter and transfer students—though the dates will be shifted to align with the revised University calendar. Information on NSO and pre-orientation programming has been announced and is available on The First-Year Experience website.
Residential Student Move-in
The Residential Services Office has contacted all students directly regarding their move-in dates, which were specifically assigned in order to promote social distancing and other health and safety behaviors. More details are available on the Residential Life and Moving In pages; students may also contact RSO if they did not receive a housing confirmation email.
Student Clubs & Organizations
Clubs and organizations are an integral part of life at WPI, and we have every intention of them continuing to be part of the student experience this year whenever possible. Students will be permitted to meet while following strict capacity requirements based on state guidelines, as well following WPI guidelines and policies. The Student Activities Office staff will be reaching out to student organizations leading up to and during the fall to provide additional direction, support, and guidance. If students or student leaders have questions or concerns, they should email the Student Activities Office.
Important Student and Parent Events
Several important events such as Homecoming, the Global Fair, and the Career Fair are fall staples at WPI. These events will likely be scheduled but will be held virtually in adherence with event policies based upon state guidelines. Family Weekend may have a virtual component in the fall, and opportunities for a future program will be explored for the spring. More details will be forthcoming as each event gets closer.
Office and Building Operations
In the interest of the safety and welfare of our campus community, campus buildings will only be accessible via card access. All campus offices and staff will be fully operational and available for student assistance. Students can find information on hours of operation and how to schedule an appointment on each office’s respective website. See Campus Operations & Facilities for more info.
Additional adjustments to our reopening plan and operations may be needed based on updated guidance and public health trends. We recommend you check back regularly for the latest updates.