WESTFIELD- Westfield State University released information on the Fall 2021 Semester move-in plans for students July 15, ahead of what university officials are hoping is a more typical semester than the previous three.
Dean of Students Maggie Balch said in a letter to students July 15 that first-year and transfer students will be welcomed back to campus Aug. 26. Returning students will be welcomed back Aug. 29. On both of those dates, dormitory keys will be distributed to students at the Horace Mann building.
Balch said in her letter that Westfield State is accepting proposals for how the university may welcome new students to help them transition smoothly into university living.
“In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more information regarding a resource fair, ‘Westfield Welcome.’ and other opening day events on Aug. 26 and 29 as well as Orientation and ‘Welcome to the Nest’ events throughout that last week in August. Please consider submitting a proposal of how you might help our newest community members transition smoothly to their university experience,” wrote Balch.
She said that research has found that connections made during orientation are “directly related to connections students make during their first few weeks on campus.”
“As a campus, and as a nation, we have had a year away from each other. Let’s show our students how much we have missed them and welcome them back in style,” said Balch
Hundreds of incoming students attended Westfield State’s orientation throughout June. 611 incoming students visited the campus while 345 experienced students acted as “champions” to show the new students the campus and the resources offered to them.
When students finally return to campus in full, they will be required to have been vaccinated against COVID-19, unless they have a legitimate medical or religious exemption.
