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
- Based on the CDC’s most recent guidance, vented masks, gaiters, and bandanas will not be allowed to be used as protective face coverings on the WPI campus. Read about the new rules on face coverings.
- While student clubs and organizations 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.
- Most major campus events are planned, albeit reimagined virtually.
- For the safety and welfare of our campus community, campus buildings are only accessible via card access.
- To make it easier for students to find study spaces across campus that comply with safety protocols, a new interactive map application has been implemented.
- COVID-19 has an impact on the Student Code of Conduct. Read, understand, and follow the new rules, in addition to the standard code below.
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, even on term breaks. 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.
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.
January New Student Orientation
Plans for a January new student orientation are underway for new and returning students for the spring semester. More details forthcoming.
Residential Student Move-in for B-Term and Beyond
The Residential Services Office will contact all students directly regarding move-in instructions. More details will be available on the Residential Life and Moving In pages; students may also contact RSO with any questions.
Student Clubs & Organizations
Clubs and organizations are an integral part of life at WPI, and we are pleased that they are 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 is in touch with student organizations to continue to provide 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, Global Fair, Career Fair and Family Day are fall staples at WPI. These events have been re-imagined virtually in adherence with event policies based upon state guidelines.
Office and Building Operations
In the interest of the safety and welfare of our campus community, campus buildings are only accessible via card access. All campus offices and staff are 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 operations may be needed based on updated guidance and public health trends. We recommend you check back regularly for the latest updates.