Student Life offices have reimagined how their programs, events, and services are delivered to both in-person and remote students. We are working to find ways to further build community and connection despite being physically apart. Please see the spring 2021 resources guide for more information about remote and on campus 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.

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.

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.

If a student needs to leave campus for a medical or pre-approved personal reason, you may have in-room restrictions and additional testing requirements before rejoining in-person activities. Please see the re-entry flowchart.

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: 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.

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.

• Check out the Office of Student Wellness for more information on nutrition, sleep, stress resiliency, healthy relationship, substance use support, and more.
• Review the spring COVID-19 training videos.
  • Keeping Well with COVID-19
  • Safe Travel Guidelines
  • 3 Ws for Community Care (watch your distance, wear a mask, wash your hands)
• Peer Health Educators
  • Don’t forget: our peer health educators are available to students both on-campus and for students studying remotely. Reach out to them with your questions or concerns about general health and immunity (Balance Health Educators), mental health (Active Minds), sexual health (Sexual Health Educators), and healthy relationships (SAAFE).

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.

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.

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. 

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.