Aug. 14: Return to Campus
Dear Merrimack College Community,
I want to begin by saying we are excited to welcome our community back to campus this Fall. We have missed you all and Merrimack College has not been the same without its students, faculty and staff being on its campus. Students and faculty have begun to slowly return this week and I have been energized by their presence. I am humbled by each of our community member’s willingness to take on the important responsibility of keeping themselves and other community members safe to ensure each of us has a productive and successful semester.
The ongoing fight against COVID-19, the growing travel restrictions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and other matters have caused challenges as we made our plans to return as a residential campus this fall, but I remain fully confident in our abilities, our new procedures and our plans to ensure safety for our entire community. Despite the challenges we faced, and will continue to face, our community has come together to solve complex problems, to find new ways to live, learn and work, as well as to ensure we would find a way to come back together and enjoy each other’s company once again.
As we begin to welcome the majority of our students back to campus starting this weekend, I wanted to share with all of you the updated version of the Fall 2020 Return to Campus Handbook as well as a new video we have created that covers the important topics that students, faculty, staff and parents must familiarize themselves with to ensure a safe campus experience this Fall. Please read the handbook and watch the video so you know what to expect when you arrive on campus.
Fall 2020 Return to Campus Handbook
As I have said in my previous communications, we have a shared responsibility to work together at this challenging time. Living, working and learning together in a pandemic requires incredible diligence and patience as we navigate a new world that will present us with unique challenges.
I thank you to all of you for your sacrifices, patience and commitment to this great College, its students and to each other.
God bless each of you. Be safe and be well.
Best,
President Hopey