WESTFIELD -The start of the spring semester at Westfield State Universitywill be postponed by one week due to an expected surge of COVID-19 across Massachusetts in the weeks after Christmas and New Year.
In a letter to the student body, Interim Westfield State President Dr. Roy H. Saigo said that because the start of the semester will be delayed by a week, Spring break will be cancelled to make up for the academic time. Spring break would have taken place from March 8-12. Saigo said that there will be a planned mental health day on March 10.
“We realize this is disappointing to many and we apologize for the need to eliminate a much anticipated break for students, faculty, and staff each spring. However, this decision was made in the best interest for the safety of the campus community,” said Saigo.
The letter from Saigo comes after Westfield State had to close its campus for the remainder of the fall semester due to an uncontrolled outbreak of COVID-19. The university reported 126 cases in just a few weeks, which caused Lansdowne Place, the designated isolation apartments in downtown Westfield, to fill up rapidly.
From Jan. 25 to Jan. 29, classes will be remote as the university conducts a round of mandatory COVID-19 testing for students. In-person learning will resume on campus on Feb.1. Students will also be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken between Jan. 17 and 23 before they are allowed to move back to campus.
Saigo said in his letter that all available bedrooms on campus would be singles, meaning one person can live in them at a time. Most dorm rooms and bedrooms at Westfield State are normally doubles. This rule would limit multi-bedroom suites to two or three students depending on the size of the suite.
“We have developed a Housing Waiting List, giving priority to students with internships, student teaching, or other academic requirements in the Westfield area, in addition to in-season athletes. Although this does not allow us to accommodate all who prefer to live on campus, we ask for your understanding and flexibility as we work through another atypical semester at Westfield State,” said Saigo in his letter.
Students who move back on campus will also be required to have a meal plan so that it will not be necessary for students to go off campus into downtown Westfield to get a meal.
In the Fall semester, Westfield State held several mandatory testing periods for all students in addition to voluntary testing that was available every day. This semester, Saigo said that mandatory testing would take place every week.
“As the condition of the Coronavirus pandemic remains fluid, we will be prepared to shift to additional remote-only periods, if needed. We are currently finalizing various thresholds for isolated curtailments or overall campus curtailment,” said Saigo, “Know that all students, as well as all faculty and staff, play a part in keeping our community safe. In addition to our Housing and Dining plan for spring, we are encouraging students to remain on campus as much as possible.”
