Jan 15: Move-In and Updated Handbook

Move-In Sign-up and Arrival Instructions

Move-in times are now available to be selected by logging intoMyMack, and clicking Student Information > Residence Life > Move-In Time Selection. You will have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2021 to select or change your move-in time. After this date and time, we will not be able to alter your move-in day or time so please be sure this date and time works for your schedule.

Given that all states, outside of Hawaii, are now listed as a “Red State” by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Governor’s Office there will not be a separate move in day for “Red States.” All students should make arrangements to arrive between January 27 and January 29. As a reminder, any student traveling from out of Massachusetts must follow the Massachusetts Travel Order and provide a negative COVID-19 obtained 72 hours prior to arrival in the state. Students who need assistance with their planning should contact residential life.

Although it is not required for students traveling to campus from inside Massachusetts, the College strongly encourages all to take a COVID-19 test administered up to 72 hours prior to arriving on campus. The College strongly encourages that all students begin to quarantine 10 days before arriving on campus and take a COVID-19 test administered up to 72 hours prior to arriving on campus.

If family members are accompanying their student on campus they must also complete the Massachusetts Travel Form or produce a negative COVID-19 test administered up to 72-hours prior to arriving in Massachusetts if they stayed overnight in Massachusetts, otherwise they meet the State exemption for transitory travel. Parents, guardians and family who stay overnight in Massachusetts and plan to accompany their student to campus who could not obtain a test administered up to 72-hours before arriving may obtain a test at the individuals own expense after arrival in Massachusetts but must quarantine until a negative test result is received. Please contact the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@merrimack.edu with any questions.

Move-in Instructions:

• Students should arrive on campus during the day and the time they signed up for in MyMack, specifically at the start of their move-in time block.
• Enter campus through the Rock Ridge Road Gate (Elm Street) and be prepared to show a Mack Card and CoVerified app for compliance with the symptom checker.
• Students will be permitted 2 people to assist with their two hour move in and they must fill out the Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk and COVID-19 Daily Screening form at the gate.
• Once on campus, students will proceed directly to the COVID-19 Testing Center in the MPR of the Sakowich Campus Center, where students will then get their baseline test.
• Students who have spoken to the Office of COVID-19 Campus Surveillance after having previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and have been cleared through CoVerified can proceed directly to the Residence Life check-in table located in the Warrior’s Den.
• After completing their COVID-19 test, students will proceed to the Residence Life check-in table located in the Warrior’s Den.
• Students will then head to Cascia Hall to obtain their grab-and-go meals to take back to their space.
• All residential students must quarantine in their assigned room until they receive their negative test result and an all clear email is sent from the College.
• All students are encouraged to pack lightly and focus on bringing only essential and important items to campus.
• All students are also encouraged to have a COVID-19 bag of essential items organized in the event that they need to be relocated or need to leave campus on short notice.

A few things to keep in mind:

• We recommend that you connect with those sharing a living space with you, to coordinate your arrival on the same day to help maintain a healthy living environment to start the semester.
• You will not be able to select the same time as your direct roommate, but we encourage you to move in on the same day.
• The time blocks are limited in number to assure for proper social distancing. If you do not see a time block available it is because it has been filled by other students
• You will need to arrive on campus at the start of your move-in time block, if you arrive after the start of your move-in time, your move-in may be delayed.
• If you do not select a time or arrive outside of your selected time, then you will have to wait until the next available time block to be let onto campus.

Flu Vaccination

As a reminder, per the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, all college students under the age of 30, living and/or taking classes on campus are required to receive the flu vaccine unless a medical or a religious exemption is provided. If you have not done so already, please submit documentation of your flu vaccination, email Hamelhealthcenter@merrimack.edu, fax 978-837-5209, or upload to the patient portal. Previously the deadline for compliance was December 31, 2020. The state has moved the deadline to February 28, 2021 to give students more time to receive their flu vaccinations unless a medical or a religious exemption is provided. The College is strongly recommending that all students, who plan to live on campus or take classes on campus during the Spring 2021 semester, receive their flu vaccine prior to returning to campus for the Spring semester.

Baseline Testing

The College will continue its aggressive testing protocol and will begin baseline testing upon each student’s arrival to campus. Residential students will baseline test the day of their move-in (January 27-January 29).

Additional information regarding twice a week surveillance testing for the remainder of the semester and sign up times will be shared next week. Please continue to monitor your Merrimack email for twice a week testing information.

Graduate Students Living on Campus

The move-in process for all residential students will take place beginning Wednesday, January 27 and continue through Friday, January 29. All residential students should make arrangements to arrive between January 27 and January 29.

Move-in times are now available to be selected by logging intoMyMack, and clicking Student Information > Residence Life > Move-In Time Selection. You will have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 24, 2021 to select or change your move-in time. After this date and time, we will not be able to alter your move-in day or time so please be sure this date and time works for your schedule.

As a reminder, any student traveling from out of Massachusetts must follow the Massachusetts Travel Order and provide a negative COVID-19 obtained 72 hours prior to arrival in the state. Students who need assistance with their planning should contact the Task Force.

Although it is not required for students traveling to campus from inside Massachusetts, the College strongly encourages all to take a COVID-19 test administered up to 72 hours prior to arriving on campus. The College also strongly encourages that all students begin to quarantine 10 days before arriving on campus and take a COVID-19 test administered up to 72 hours prior to arriving on campus.

If family members are accompanying their student on campus they must also complete the Massachusetts Travel Form or produce a negative COVID-19 test administered up to 72-hours prior to arriving in Massachusetts if they stayed overnight in Massachusetts, otherwise they meet the State exemption for transitory travel. Parents, guardians and family who stay overnight in Massachusetts and plan to accompany their student to campus who could not obtain a test administered up to 72-hours before arriving may obtain a test at the individuals own expense after arrival in Massachusetts but must quarantine until a negative test result is received. Please contact the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@merrimack.edu with any questions.

Move-in Instructions:

• Students should arrive on campus during the day and the time they signed up for in MyMack, specifically at the start of their move-in time block.
• Enter campus through the Rock Ridge Road Gate (Elm Street) and be prepared to show a Mack Card and CoVerified app for compliance with the symptom checker.
• Students will be permitted 2 people to assist with their two hour move in and they must fill out the Waiver of Liability and Assumption of Risk and COVID-19 Daily Screening form at the gate.
• Once on campus, students will proceed directly to the COVID-19 Testing Center in the MPR of the Sakowich Campus Center, where students will then get their baseline test.
• Students who have spoken to the Office of COVID-19 Campus Surveillance after having previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and have been cleared through CoVerified can proceed directly to the Residence Life check-in table located in the Warrior’s Den.
• After completing their COVID-19 test, students will proceed to the Residence Life check-in table located in the Warrior’s Den.
• Students will then head to Cascia Hall to obtain their grab-and-go meals to take back to their space.
• All residential students must quarantine in their assigned room until they receive their negative test result and an all clear email is sent from the College.
• All students are encouraged to pack lightly and focus on bringing only essential and important items to campus.
• All students are also encouraged to have a COVID-19 bag of essential items organized in the event that they need to be relocated or need to leave campus on short notice.

A few things to keep in mind:

• We recommend that you connect with those sharing a living space with you, to coordinate your arrival on the same day to help maintain a healthy living environment to start the semester.
• You will not be able to select the same time as your direct roommate, but we encourage you to move in on the same day.
• The time blocks are limited in number to assure for proper social distancing. If you do not see a time block available it is because it has been filled by other students
• You will need to arrive on campus at the start of your move-in time block, if you arrive after the start of your move-in time, your move-in may be delayed.
• If you do not select a time or arrive outside of your selected time, then you will have to wait until the next available time block to be let onto campus.

Flu Vaccination

As a reminder, per the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, all college students under the age of 30, living and/or taking classes on campus are required to receive the flu vaccine unless a medical or a religious exemption is provided. If you have not done so already, please submit documentation of your flu vaccination, email Hamelhealthcenter@merrimack.edu, fax 978-837-5209, or upload to the patient portal. Previously the deadline for compliance was December 31, 2020. The state has moved the deadline to February 28, 2021 to give students more time to receive their flu vaccinations unless a medical or a religious exemption is provided. The College is strongly recommending that all students, who plan to live on campus or take classes on campus during the Spring 2021 semester, receive their flu vaccine prior to returning to campus for the Spring semester.

Baseline Testing

The College will continue its aggressive testing protocol and will begin baseline testing upon each student’s arrival to campus. Residential students will baseline test the day of their move-in (January 27-January 29).

Additional information regarding twice a week surveillance testing for the remainder of the semester and sign up times will be shared next week. Please continue to monitor your Merrimack email for twice a week testing information.

Graduate Students Commuting to Campus

Graduate students who will be enrolled in on campus or hybrid learning or require access to campus on a regular basis for the Spring 2021 semester must receive a baseline COVID-19 test before starting classes. Graduate commuter student baseline testing will take place on Saturday, January 30 and Sunday, January 31. Students can walk in to the testing center between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on these days. Reminders will be sent to ensure Graduate students who are commuting this semester receive their baseline test the weekend of January 30.

Additional information regarding surveillance testing for the remainder of the semester and sign up times will be shared next week. Please continue to monitor your Merrimack email for this information.

Graduate commuter or remote students who are interested in living on campus for the Spring 2021 semester should reach out to Residential Life to express their interest. The College still has residential opportunities available for any graduate student who is interested.

Baseline Testing

Commuter students who will be enrolled in on campus or hybrid learning for the Spring 2021 semester must receive a baseline COVID-19 test before starting classes. Commuter student baseline testing will take place on Saturday, January 30 and Sunday, January 31. Students can walk in to the testing center between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on these days. Reminders will be sent to ensure commuter students who are commuting this semester receive their baseline test the weekend of January 30.

Additional information regarding twice a week surveillance testing for the remainder of the semester and sign up times will be shared next week. Please continue to monitor your Merrimack email for twice a week testing information.

Commuter students who are interested in living on campus for the Spring 2021 semester should reach out to Residential Life to express their interest. The College still has residential opportunities available for any commuter student who is interested.

Flu Vaccination

As a reminder, per the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, all college students under the age of 30, living and/or taking classes on campus are required to receive the flu vaccine unless a medical or a religious exemption is provided. If you have not done so already, please submit documentation of your flu vaccination, email Hamelhealthcenter@merrimack.edu, fax 978-837-5209, or upload to the patient portal. Previously the deadline for compliance was December 31, 2020. The state has moved the deadline to February 28, 2021 to give students more time to receive their flu vaccinations unless a medical or a religious exemption is provided. The College is strongly recommending that all students, who plan to live on campus or take classes on campus during the Spring 2021 semester, receive their flu vaccine prior to returning to campus for the Spring semester.

Virtual Town Hall Information

President Hopey, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Operating Officer Jeffrey Doggett and Interim Provost Sean Condon will be hosting a virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, January 19 at 10 a.m. to discuss the Spring 2021 semester, including information on enrollments, COVID-19 protocols and general operations, community member experiences such as move-in for residential students, twice a week surveillance testing protocols, and the remote student experience, as well as to answer questions that faculty and staff may have. Please click here to register for the Town Hall.

Baseline Testing

The College will continue its aggressive testing protocol and will begin baseline testing. Faculty and staff that are not presently in the testing protocol, will complete their baseline testing the week of January 25 on a self-selected day and time. Those who cannot complete their baseline test during that week will complete their baseline test the first week of classes.

Additional information regarding twice a week surveillance testing for the remainder of the semester and sign up times will be shared next week. Please continue to monitor your Merrimack email for twice a week testing information.

As a reminder, numbers of COVID-19 cases are continuing to rise across the country, and in the Commonwealth. The temporary guidelines put in place by the Governor remain in effect in order to reduce capacity of spaces and limit the continued spread of the virus. As of today, Friday January 15 these guidelines do not restrict our approach to the use of the campus for the spring. However, until January 22, we continue to encourage those employees who can perform their jobs remotely to continue to do so with permission from their direct supervisor. Those employees who have already made arrangements through Human Resources for remote work during the spring do not need to seek further permission.