All students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to come to campus in the fall. You must submit evidence of vaccination by July 15, 2021. Please review the instructions for how to upload your information into Patient Gateway for Health Services, provided by Newton-Wellesley Collegiate Health. You must also provide vaccination information in the toolbox on the Wellesley portal.

Students who have not submitted proof of vaccination or received approval of a medical or religious exemption or disability accommodation by July 15 will not be allowed to return to campus.

If you are arriving from an international location and are unable to access a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please reach out to Health Services to arrange to be vaccinated upon arrival to campus.

Students with exemptions and those arriving from international locations who are unable to access an approved vaccine will need to quarantine for at least seven days upon arrival.

Arrival dates for fully vaccinated students

Vaccinated students may arrive directly to their residence hall on campus only within their designated arrival window. (We will send out more details about selecting specific arrival days and times later in the summer.) After arriving, vaccinated students will be tested for COVID-19, and then will be required to adhere to in-room restriction (remaining in their rooms except to pick up grab-and-go meals). After one negative test result, students will be cleared to begin programming and classes.

Arrival dates for students who are arriving from international locations and were unable to acquire an approved vaccine

These students may arrive only within their designated arrival window. (We will provide more details about arrival locations and selecting specific arrival days and times later in the summer.) They will be tested on arrival and will begin an immediate, seven-day quarantine. Following two negative test results and at the completion of their quarantine, students will be cleared to begin programming and classes. In coordination with Health Services, these students will be vaccinated following the quarantine period.

If you are uncertain about which arrival window applies to you, please contact studenthousing@wellesley.edu.

Only one designated parent, guardian, or family member will be permitted to enter the residence halls with each student to help them move in. They must show proof of vaccination to enter and must wear a mask. Wellesley College Facilities staff will also be on hand to assist students with moving their belongings. Other family members are welcome to visit with their students in the outdoor areas of the campus on move-in day, but they will not be permitted to enter residence halls or other campus buildings at any time.

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 during the summer 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. The summer code of conduct will be posted here in July. 

• Students can leave campus and travel within MA without prior approval.
• Students will be allowed to work off campus and are encouraged to wear masks at all times during off-campus employment.
• Students must wear masks on public transportation/Ubers and in vehicles with others.
• Travel out-of-state (or out of the country) requires prior approval of the Dean of Students and in-room restrictions upon return to campus.

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 during the spring: 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 dine in!

Dining in

Upon arrival to each of the culinary centers, all students are required to swipe their One Card at the entrance of the culinary center before entering. The One Card is required for entry. For everyone’s safety, masks and social distancing are required. If you are sitting at a table and eating, masks may be removed. Table dining is permissible with your blockmates. 

Dietary Restrictions and Preferences

Kosher meals are available every Friday and are available for pick up at the Campus Center, fourth floor dining, starting at 4 pm. 

• Halal is available at Bae Pao Lu Chow.
• Vegan/Vegetarian station is available at Bae Pao Lu Chow.
• All menu items are labeled for the top eight allergens (peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, milk, egg, soy, fish, and shellfish) as well as gluten sensitive (GS), vegan, and vegetarian preferences. The gluten sensitive (GS) label indicates that the food item contains no major gluten containing ingredients such as wheat, barley, or rye. However, Wellesley College is not a gluten-free campus, and incidental gluten may still be present in GS labeled foods.
• Tower is a nut sensitive dining hall, and it features Clarity, a food station that serves meals free of the eight major allergens, including GS. There are pre-packaged gluten free options available at Tower.
• Bates and Bae Pao Lu Chow feature a Clarity meal option.
• Bates Culinary Center Gluten Sensitive (GS) Room is designed for students with food-related medical conditions, including celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivities, who have been approved for this accommodation by ADR. Students must receive approval from ADR and complete the necessary training with the Wellesley Fresh Dietitian to gain access to this location. The student should contact the Wellesley Fresh Dietitian prior to arrival on campus. All students with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity must meet with the dietitian and the Chef Manager.
• Students with special requests due to a food allergy are strongly encouraged to make Wellesley College and Wellesley Fresh aware of these needs as early as possible.
• Students can email the Wellesley Fresh Dietitian or email Wellesley College Health Services for additional information or support.
• Should you need further assistance regarding food allergies or dietary restrictions, please email ADR. Health Services and ADR will keep the requested health information on file.

Please visit the Wellesley Fresh website for menus (select a location from the drop down menu) and hours of operation, including late night options. 

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 2020-21 academic year. For the latest Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics information, please visit Wellesley PERA COVID-19 Resources. 

• The Keohane Sports Center (KSC) Fitness Center and Chandler Pool are open starting March 1 for students with a reservation.
• Physical Education has adopted three major changes for 2020–21. For information on the PE requirement, virtual instruction, and curriculum visit the PE homepage.
• Recreation is offering a mix of in-person and virtual programming, including virtual Group Fitness classes open to students, faculty and staff. For more on virtual and in-person programming, please visit the Recreation homepage.
• Athletics: Varsity student-athletes who live on campus will be able to practice and train within relevant guidelines. For more information, please see Athletics FAQs on the Wellesley PERA COVID-19 Resources page.

Many countries and states within the U.S. require proof of a negative COVID test within a certain time frame before travel. Please check your destination’s rules before travelling and review these tips for complying with testing requirements. If you have additional questions, please contact Health Services at 781.283.2810.

Off-campus transportation services, such as the MIT Exchange Bus, Senate Bus, Wellesley-Olin-Babson shuttle, and shuttle to the Natick mall, are suspended. 

The access vans will continue to run. If you need assistance traveling around campus, please contact Accessibility and Disability Resources. 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. In addition to the funds already disbursed, the College has reserved funds from the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), as well as remaining funding in 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 Wellesley College Emergency Fund form to request support.