We are reimagining the student experience in ways that engage and support every student, whether living on campus or studying remotely. The focus of student life this year will be to embrace, engage, and empower students by offering a variety of programs, events, and activities. All students will be able to access Wellesley’s support resources in academics, health, counseling, religious and spiritual life, intercultural education, and wellness.
Starting in the spring when the entire campus pivoted to remote instruction, and expanded this summer, Student Life offices have reimagined how their programs, events, and services would be delivered to both in-person and remote students. Although our remote students may not be joining us on campus until the spring, this fall they remain an important part of our community and we are working to find ways to further build community and connection despite being physically apart. Please see the fall 2020 resources guide for more information about remote services.
Additionally, Wellesley College Student Government has decided that students who are studying remotely for the full year will see their accounts adjusted to remove the student activity fee for the 2020–2021 academic year.
For the remainder of T2, students may continue to hold off-campus jobs. In the spring, off-campus in-person employment is not permitted. This decision was made as part of the College’s management of COVID-19 health and safety risks on campus. Given this decision, Wellesley is replacing the spring 2021 work-study expectation with grant aid in all student financial aid packages. Student Financial Services (SFS) will adjust aid offers accordingly, and changes will be reflected in students’ spring semester bills. Work-study eligible students will still have priority for on-campus jobs in the spring semester with a limit of 10 hours per week.
This fall, while the residential experience may look a bit different than in prior years, students will recognize the same emphasis on community-building and connection that is a hallmark of Wellesley’s residential curriculum. Our residential experience has been re-designed to focus on personal connection while distancing, and the Office of Residential Life will engage students with public health strategies for socializing safely. HPs, RAs, and CDs will be in the halls to support students through community-building and the residential curriculum; ASCs will be in the halls to support students academically; and there will be a mix of virtual and in-person programming.
In the new residential life model, students live in single rooms, but are assigned to blocks of three to six students who share a bathroom. Up to two blockmates may be in another’s room at a time, provided masks remain on and physical distancing is observed.
The health and safety of our community depends on the important individual actions we all take each day. To ensure that all students living on campus are aware of and uphold the guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19 on campus, students will commit to the Community Values Code of Conduct for Student Residential Living. It outlines expectations surrounding the size of gatherings (10 students indoors, 25 for outdoor spaces), leaving campus, restrictions on guests, the two-week quarantine that is required if students violate these policies, and more.
All students living on campus are required to be on the College’s meal plan. Students who have accommodations to be off the meal plan are encouraged to discuss their plans with Accessibility and Disability Resources (ADR) to find suitable arrangements.
Three dining halls are open this fall: Bae Pao Lu Chow, Bates, and Tower. These are the larger halls, making it easier to maintain social distance within each space. Meals are grab-and-go, or you may sign in as you enter a dining hall and eat at a table.
Upon arrival to each dining hall, all students can sign in using their One Card and register a table. Students will enter their location, table number, and swipe their card via the Chromebook on hand, and use the sanitizing wipes provided to clean the Chromebook before and after use.
There is a revised seating plan that allows for physical distancing and up to four students from the same block to sit at the same table together. There are single seat tables available as well. Please be considerate during peak service hours and try to limit time to 30 minutes so everyone has the opportunity to dine in.
Kosher meals are available every Friday and can be picked up at the Campus Center, fourth floor dining.
Please visit the Wellesley Fresh website for menus (select a location from the drop down menu) and hours of operation, including late night options. Per Governor Baker’s November 6 executive order, in-person dining must end at 9:30 p.m., but late night dining food options will continue to be available with to-go service. Dining while eating at a table will not be available between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. until further notice.
Residence hall kitchens are closed for general use. However, students may to sign up to cook alone or as a pair of blockmates.
There will be no traditional varsity athletics or club sports competition during the fall or winter seasons. No decision has been made on spring sports at this time. For the latest Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics information, please visit Wellesley PERA COVID-19 Resources.
As we navigate the realities of the COVID-19 virus, we recognize the impacts this may have on your general well-being and have curated resources and activities to support you.
Are you looking for some more resources? The PHEs put together a Peer Resource Guide, a centralized list of wellness resources specific to COVID-19.
Health Services is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm for both in-person and virtual appointments to students on campus. Off-campus students may access Health Services virtually from home. We ask that students feeling ill or with any fever/cough, or who have concerns about COVID-19 exposure, please call us at 781.283.2810 for a confidential consultation. We will help triage your symptoms and determine if you can be helped over the phone or arrange for a virtual visit. If you need a flu shot, learn more about your opportunities to get a flu shot.
For more information on how Health Services is supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit College-wide Health.
The Stone Center Counseling Service is available for appointments for students on campus. Students who are remote may contact the Stone Center for consultation and referral for treatment options in their home states, as well as immediate support.
The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL) is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On-campus students are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by emailing our staff directly. The dean and college chaplains are available for pastoral care and counseling sessions, in person and online, throughout the academic year. Religious services, mindfulness meditation opportunities, and multi-faith engagement programs are offered on a weekly basis online. Off-campus students can access our offerings virtually.
Off-campus transportation services, such as the MIT Exchange Bus, Senate Bus, Wellesley-Olin-Babson shuttle, and shuttle to the Natick mall, are suspended for the fall.
The access vans will continue to run. If you need assistance traveling around campus, please contact Accessibility and Disability Services. Additionally, students who are Zipcar members have access to the Zipcars parked on campus.
The College is greatly aware that there are students who continue to be heavily impacted by COVID-19 and the disruption it has caused. The College has reserved funds from the federal CARES Act, as well the Wellesley College Emergency Fund, to meet the critical needs of students that we anticipate could arise as the pandemic continues. Students should use the 2020 Wellesley College Emergency Fund form to request support.
On April 21, 2020, Wellesley College signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for funding under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students to the Department of Education.
On April 27, 2020 Wellesley College received a total of $985,234 of funding under the Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Wellesley College estimates 1,471 students are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
In the initial distribution of approximately 75% of the CARES Act funding, Wellesley prioritized students with the greatest financial need as determined by the level at which they qualify for need-based grant aid. These students may require assistance with eligible expenses caused by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Wellesley College offered grants to Title IV eligible students who qualify for need-based grant aid, based on the chart below. In addition, Wellesley set up a process through which Title IV-eligible students may request additional CARES Act funding if they have additional qualifying expenses.
Need Based Grant % | CARES Grant Funding offered |
|---|---|
70-100% Grant aided | $725 |
50-69% Grant aided | $500 |
1-49% Grant aided | $300 |
The College announced the Emergency Financial Aid Grants in a communication about financial support for students to the community, and sent emails to those students identified as likely to have needs for funds to cover eligible expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. In order to receive CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants, students were required to certify eligibility and use of the funds.
Date | Amount distributed | Title IV eligible students |
|---|---|---|
May 26, 2020 | $697,285 | 1,160 |
June 26, 2020 | $723,933 | 1,203 |
July 26, 2020 | $732,398 | 1,206 |
August 26, 2020 | $735,778 | 1,206 |
September 26, 2020 | $741,713 | 1,213 |
October 26, 2020 | $752,868 | 1,227 |
On April 28, 2020, Wellesley College received a total of $985,234 of funding under the Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. The College’s Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting is linked below.
