What’s Happening on Campus

In the days and weeks ahead, we recommend reading our This Week at Conn emails to see what programming is available. You will also receive This Weekend at Conn emails that detail weekend programming. The Connect with Conn and What’s Open webpages are also regularly updated and include important campus resources.

Administrators, faculty, staff and students are working hard to make campus life vibrant and engaging as we manage life with COVID-19. Alert Level 3 - Orange will be a critical time for you to remain diligent in following campus quarantine expectations so that we can move to lower alert levels. Please know that you can go outside for a run, walk or exercise and utilize essential services such as the Health Center, Post Office and campus dining facilities. There will be many new virtual programs offered during this time to help you socialize, stay active and have fun. Keep an eye out for ConnQuest and This Weekend at Conn emails that will announce upcoming events and program information.

As the campus transitions to Alert Level 2 - Yellow and eventually to Alert Level 1 - Green, in-person socially distanced gatherings will be possible. As we reach these alert levels, student clubs and organizations will be able to hold in-person meetings/events; student coffee shops will be open; the Athletic Center will be available; varsity and club teams will resume practice, and campus programming such as food truck events and movie showings will occur. You will receive more information throughout the semester about the exciting new programming and events offered. 

Below is a sampling of activities and engagement opportunities during each of the alert levels. 

Alert Level 3 - Orange (Onboarding Quarantine)

• Go for a walk outside with one or two friends (wear a mask and maintain social distancing)
• Go for a run or workout outside on campus on your own
• Find a nice spot outside to sit on your own or with no more than two other people—wear a mask and maintain social distancing
• Explore the many beautiful parts of our 750 acre arboretum 
• Go the Post Office to pick up your mail and packages 
• Visit the Bookstore to pick up your course materials or other amenities
• Take some time to sit quietly in Harkness Chapel 

Alert Level 2 - Yellow

• Oasis late night take-out is open (Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 p.m.-midnight)
• Student-run coffee shops are open for carry-out (dining dollars will be accepted)
• Blue Camel is open for carry-out and limited seating
• Athletic Center and Fitness Center are open by appointment  
• Student clubs/organizations can hold in-person socially distanced meetings
• Club sports can start non-contact in-person practices with supervision 
• Varsity sport training coordinated by coaches can begin
• Campus Friday night movies begin
• Common rooms are open
• Plex Atrium and other common spaces across campus are open for indoor seating
• Shain Library is open with limited seating
• Academic buildings are open for study spaces (see rooms below)
• Limited in-person campus programming begins
• Camel Ride by Lyft service resumes (essential locations only)
• Campus centers are open with limited sitting
• Limited in-person student employment begins
• You can visit other floors in your residence hall other than your own

Alert Level 1 - Green

• Increase in-person programming and events 
• Limited seating is available in dining areas
• Limited seating is available in student-run coffee shops
• You can be in residence halls other than your own

 Mental Health Resources

Campus life with COVID-19 can be challenging, but faculty and staff are here to support you in whatever way they can. In particular, Student Counseling Services is an important resource. 

Student Counseling Services staff are available to students residing on campus and in the state of Connecticut by calling (860) 439-4587. Counselors will be meeting with students via video sessions throughout the spring semester. In addition to our counselors, there are two other important resources available to students: My SSP and Counseling After-Hours. 

My SSP: All students (regardless of residential location) needing assistance during or after-hours may reach an off-site licensed professional clinician who has partnered with us to provide urgent or on-going care through My SSP:

• Download the free My SSP App, available on the App Store or Google Play.
• Through the app, you can call or chat with a Student Support Counselor 24/7 in real-time or schedule a telephone or video session that fits your schedule. My SSP provides support in the event of a personal crisis and also connects students with providers, offering both short and long-term counseling.
•  You can browse a digital library of helpful articles and videos. 

• Or, you can call them directly at (866) 743-7732 (If calling from outside North America, dial 001-416-380-6578).

Counseling After-Hours: All students needing assistance after-hours may also reach an off-site licensed professional clinician who has partnered with us through Counseling After-Hours: 

• You can reach the service by calling (860) 439-4587 and pressing option 2. 
• This is a telephone-based mental health service that is available to all students in need of access to mental health support when Student Counseling Services is not open. 
• This service provides students with access to an off-site counselor who will provide support at any time during the evening, weekend or break.

Coping with Covid-19 Resources can be found here. A complete list of resources can be found at Student Counseling Services 

 The Three W's

• Wear a mask (always indoors except where noted that it does not need to be worn, always outdoors unless you are completely by yourself, but you should have the mask ready to put on should you come into contact with a person)
• Watch your distance - keep six feet apart from others  
• Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer

 COVID-19 Testing

All Alert Levels: You must test twice a week every week of the semester that you are on campus. You are expected to test on your assigned test day and schedule your own test time using the CoVerified app or website. 

Schedule your testing time at least 24 hours in advance. Do not wait until the day of your testing to set a time as the time slots you would like may not be available. When you book an appointment, it is only set for the day that you booked it. The app does not set the time as a recurring appointment. You need to book each week and you can choose different times on your assigned days.

Each morning, you will receive an email reminding you that it is your testing day. Attendance is being tracked to ensure that you are showing up on their assigned day. If you do not show up, you will receive an email at the end of the day noting that our records show that you did not attend and the note will include instructions on what to do next.

If you miss three tests over the course of the semester, you will lose your on-campus housing/access to campus and will need to complete your semester remotely.   

Do I still get tested if I already had COVID-19?

You will not get tested on campus until you are past the 90-day period of time since infection. You are still expected to follow all COVID-19 related expectations including onboarding quarantine and contact quarantine. If you begin to have COVID-19 related symptoms within the 90-day period, you need to report those to Student Health Services and work with the College’s medical staff to determine next steps related to testing and isolation.

Do I still get tested if I have received both doses of the vaccine?

The vaccine is fully active after you have had the two doses of the vaccine and 14 days have passed since the second dose. The CT Department of Public Health has not yet released guidance to help inform our approach to testing and quarantine for people who have received the vaccine. As a result, any student who has received the vaccine must continue with twice-weekly testing, follow COVID-19 expectations, and participate in onboarding quarantine and contact quarantine. If you begin to have COVID-19 related symptoms, you will follow the same steps that students without vaccination must follow related to isolation.

 Symptom Checking

All Alert Levels: In the CoVerified app, you will be restricted if you do not complete your daily symptom check or if you are in quarantine or isolation. In various places on campus (classrooms, workshops, etc.), you will be expected to show the app status screen or website printout to demonstrate your campus status (Clear or Restricted). If you are restricted, you will not be permitted to remain in the space. To avoid this, please complete the daily symptom check.

• If you need a thermometer, you can pick up a free one from Student Health Services. Please call ahead before entering: (860) 439-2275.
• Remember: Only log NEW symptoms into the app–for example, if you regularly have headaches, don’t log that you have a headache.
• If you note that you have symptoms, you will be shifted to restricted and will need to call Student Health Services (860-439-2275) to talk to a nurse about your symptoms and to discuss next steps. The nurse will determine whether you can shift from restricted to clear.

 Campus Temperature Scanners

All Alert Levels: Temperature scanners are in five locations on campus: 

• Harris dining entrance
• 1962 dining entrance 
• Shain Library entrance
• Testing Center entrance 
• Athletic Center entrance (Luce Fieldhouse)

If the machine detects that you have a temperature (100.4 or higher), you are expected to leave the space and return to your room. The machine will show an alert message that states “Go back to your room and read the ‘I have a temperature’ instructions in the CoVerified app. Do not enter the [space you are trying to enter].” In the CoVerified app menu at the bottom of the screen, go to “info” to access a series of resources that will provide detailed instructions on what to do in a variety of different COVID-19 related situations, including if a scanner detects that you have a temperature.

 Dining and Coffee Shops

Alert Level 3 - Orange: Take-out food is available from Harris Refectory, the 1962 Room, and JA Dining Hall. You can choose your food from the hot food stations and the food will be packaged for you to take-out. Cold items will be prepackaged.  

Alert Level 2 - Yellow: Take-out food is available from Harris Refectory, the 1962 Room, and JA Dining Hall in the same format as Alert Level 3 - Orange with the added option of a modified late-night Oasis snack shop menu that will operate on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 p.m. to midnight. Student-run coffee shops are open and dining dollars will be able to be used at the coffee shops. Coffee Grounds and the Walk-In at Ruane’s Den are open. Blue Camel is open with limited seating. 

Alert Level 1 - Green: Take-out food, Oasis, and coffee shop options are in the same format as Alert Level 2 - Yellow with the added opportunity for limited seating in the dining areas and student-run coffee shops. 

All Alert Levels: Dining Services is making changes to the menu offerings for the spring semester based on feedback from students as well as suggestions from the dining staff. The menus at Harris Refectory and the 1962 Room will offer certain food options specific to the location in order to provide as much variety as possible. 

Harris Refectory options include:

• A variety of egg sandwiches at breakfast
• Pizza at lunch as well as a Saturday pizza night at dinner
• The grill station will be open with a rotation of items such as beef burgers, grilled chicken, chicken patties, turkey burgers, veggie burgers, Beyond Meat burgers, and hotdogs
• The wok station will include a variety of stir fry entrees and vegetables
• A series of special dessert bars to include sundae bar, cheesecake, and warm chocolate chip cookies
• The above options are in addition to the standard menu of salads, sandwiches, hot entrees, and sides as well as entrée bars like Street Taco, Stuffed Pasta, Baked Potato Bar, and more

The 1962 Room in Cro will offer:

• Greek yogurt/fruit parfaits
• A rotation of sushi, avocado toast, noodle bowls, falafel, and burrito bars at lunch
• A rotation of carved meats at dinner to include pork, beef, turkey plus sides
• A series of special dessert bars to include sundae bar, cheesecake, and warm chocolate chip cookies
• The above are in addition to the standard menu of salads, sandwiches, hot entrees, and sides as well as entrée bars like Street Taco, Stuffed Pasta, Baked Potato Bar, and more

 On and Off-Campus Living

Alert Level 3 - Orange:  On-Campus–Students may only enter their own residence hall, must stay on their floor, should remain in their rooms, may not visit other student rooms; common rooms are closed. Off-Campus–Students must remain in their home or rental unit and will have limited access to campus for testing, student health services, package pick-up and bookstore supply pick-up. Students may not have other students or guests visit their off-campus home.

Alert Level 2 - Yellow: On-Campus–Students may only enter their own residence hall, may go to different floors in the building and may go into each other’s rooms while staying below capacity limits (see below). While in other people’s rooms, students must continuously wear masks and maintain social distancing. It is highly recommended that windows be open to promote ventilation. Common rooms are open. Off-Campus–Students who live on-campus may not visit off-campus residences unless they stay outside the building. Off-campus students may not enter any campus residence halls and may not go inside other off-campus properties. The maximum number of students who can be gathered outside at an off-campus residence is 10 (including the residents of the property) and everyone must be wearing masks and be socially distanced. 

Alert Level 1 - Green: On-Campus–Students may enter any residence hall by being invited and let in by a resident of the building. Students may go into other students’ rooms while staying below the capacity limits (see below), continuously wear masks and maintain social distancing. It is highly recommended that windows be open to promote ventilation. Common rooms are open. Off-Campus–Students who live on-campus may visit off-campus residences and may be inside or outside of the building. The maximum number of students who can be gathered outside at an off-campus residence is 10 (including residents of the property) and everyone must be wearing masks and be socially distanced. The maximum number of people who can be gathered inside can not exceed 10 and depends on the interior space given that everyone who is not a resident of the property must be socially distanced. Off-campus students may enter any residence hall as described above.    

All Alert Levels: Students must always wear a face mask unless in their room with only their roommate or in an apartment/home with only their apartment/housemates, or when in the bathroom showering or brushing their teeth. Students should use their assigned bathroom when they are on their floor, try to keep the number of people in the bathroom at one time to a minimum and avoid lingering in the bathroom. 

Specific Note on Hosting People in Your Room: Students must be socially distanced while in another person’s room (six feet apart). Below are the set capacity limits for each type of room, regardless of the square footage and configuration of the room. Given that we do not have triples and quads this year, if you are not certain of how your room is classified, go to MyHousing in CamelWeb for details.

 Student Informal Socializing Group Size

Alert Level 3 - Orange: Gathering with anyone inside is not permitted. Outside, students may gather with a maximum of two other students while remaining socially distanced and wearing a mask. 

Alert Level 2 - Yellow and Alert Level 1 - Green: Inside, group size may not exceed 10 people but the size of the group depends on the size of the space. People must be able to be socially distanced. If gathering in a residence hall room, follow the guide above based on the room type. Outside, group size may not exceed 10 people. People gathering in a room, common room, at a table (inside or outside) or sitting in a group of chairs (inside or outside) need to be at least six feet apart and everyone must wear a mask. If you get together with friends, meet them outside rather than inside.

All Alert Levels: Everyone in the group must be wearing masks and socially distanced. Do not, under any circumstances, host or attend a party or other large gathering.

Note that for off-campus properties, the State of Connecticut authorized officials (Commissioner of Public Health, local health departments, municipal chief elected officers, and state and local police) to issue fines in association with failure to wear a face covering ($100), hosting gatherings that violate size restrictions ($500) and/or attending gatherings that violate size restriction guidelines ($250). Please read the full order by Governor Lamont here.

 Traveling in Vehicles

Alert Level 3 - Orange: In a private vehicle, the driver is the only person permitted in the vehicle unless traveling with a roommate or apartmentmates. At the gatehouse, students must display to Campus Safety the dashboard pass identifying the car owner and permitted vehicle occupants (roommate/apartmentmates). You may not travel in Lyft/Uber/Taxi–Camel Ride by Lyft service is suspended. 

Alert Level 2 - Yellow: In a private vehicle, the driver may travel with one passenger who is not a roommate or apartmentmate. In a Lyft/Uber/Taxi only two passengers are permitted. 

Alert Level 1 - Green: In a private vehicle, the driver may travel with two passengers who are not a roommate or apartmentmate. In a Lyft/Uber/Taxi only two passengers are permitted.  

All Alert Levels: All people in a vehicle must wear a mask and open windows for ventilation. The only exception is in a private vehicle, the driver may travel with roommates or apartmentmates without a mask and windows closed. Student cars entering campus must display the Spring 2021 COVID hang tag. 

 Local Travel Off-Campus (within New London County)

Alert Level 3 - Orange: Travel off-campus is not permitted. If there is an urgent matter, students (living on or off-campus) should call Campus Safety and ask to speak with the Student Life staff person on-call to discuss the circumstance and request approval. Students living off-campus and commuting should remain in their home or rental unit and only travel between their property and campus. 

Alert Level 2 - Yellow and Alert Level 1 - Green: Travel off-campus is highly discouraged given the high levels of COVID-19 in the area. If COVID-19 levels in the area improve, this restriction will be re-evaluated. Students should only leave campus for essential needs such as groceries, pharmacy products and medical appointments or if required as part of a class-related off-campus engagement or College-authorized activity. Students must not go into restaurants (do not eat indoors), fitness gyms or any confined space or space with many people. These same expectations apply to students commuting or living off-campus. 

If students want to take time away from campus they can go to outdoor areas such as the beach, Harkness Park, Bluff Point and area hiking trails, though these types of places should be avoided if they are heavily populated. Students must wear masks at all times and be socially distanced from others. 

If students need to be employed off-campus, they must discuss this with their class dean and request approval by submitting this form.    

 Distance Travel Off-Campus (beyond New London County)

Alert Level 3 - Orange: Travel off-campus is not permitted. If there is an urgent matter, students must contact their class dean and request approval. Students can request approval by completing the Off-Campus Travel Approval Form below. 

Alert Level 2 - Yellow and Alert Level 1 - Green: Travel off-campus is not permitted given the high levels of COVID-19 in the region and beyond. If COVID-19 levels improve, this restriction will be re-evaluated. Students should only leave campus for extenuating circumstances (e.g. medical needs or bereavement) with class dean approval. Students can request approval by completing the form below. Note that students who live off-campus and commute to the College are expected to follow the same expectations regarding travel. 

All Alert Levels: To request approval follow these steps: 

• Complete the Off-Campus Travel Approval Form
• Submit the form no later than Wednesdays at 5 p.m. for a response by that Friday.
• Class deans will review requests on Thursdays and may follow up with you for additional information/context.
• Your class dean will inform you by Friday morning if your request is approved or denied.
• Late and last-minute requests will not be considered as the class deans will not be reviewing requests on weekends.

If you are approved to leave campus overnight due to an urgent or extenuating circumstance you will be required to complete onboarding quarantine when you return to campus. The protocol for return to campus is the following: 

The College’s expectations for onboarding quarantine is longer than the state requires as the College is a congregate setting (a number of people reside, meet or gather in close proximity). The earliest that you can be out of quarantine is ten days from your arrival back on campus. You must stay in onboarding quarantine for no less than 10 days and three negative tests taken on your regularly scheduled testing days. During onboarding quarantine you must be on your own and not socialize with other students inside. During onboarding quarantine you must be on your own and not socialize with other students inside. You may go for walks outside with a maximum of two other students (all wearing masks and maintaining social distancing). You may not go to in-person classes or participate in any in-person activities (e.g. clubs/organizations, athletics).

If you travel to a CT travel advisory state, in addition to the College expectations you need to follow CT expectations. If you visit an Affected State for more than 24 hours, you must fill out a CT Travel Health Form upon arrival in Connecticut and must complete onboarding quarantine when you return to campus. 

 Classroom Usage

Alert Level 3 - Orange: Classrooms, meeting rooms and common spaces are closed and may not be used for any reason. 

Alert Level 2 - Yellow and Alert Level 1 - Green: The classrooms that are being used for instruction this semester are not available for student use unless the room is reserved through the Events Office. Classrooms that are not being used for instruction are open and available without reservation for faculty, staff and student use. The rooms will be unlocked from 8 a.m. to midnight. The rooms include: 

• Blaustein: Rooms 203, 206, 208, 211, 212 and 213
• Cro: Room 224
• Fanning: Rooms 301 and 306
• New London: Rooms 200, 204 and 400
• Olin: Room 102

In addition to classrooms, there are public/open areas that can be used for study. For example, Blaustein first floor (Walter Commons), New London Hall counter height spaces in the hallways, Cro first floor and second floor, and Harris Atrium (second floor). Cro will be open 24 hrs. a day, 7 days a week.

There are some important guidelines in how to use the spaces listed above:

• Face Coverings: Face coverings/masks must always be worn in the above-mentioned spaces and public areas. Even if you are working alone in a room or public area or working with a roommate/apartmentmate face coverings/masks must be worn.
• Social Distancing: If you are with another person in a classroom or public space you must be at least six feet apart. 
• Furniture: Do not move furniture in classrooms or public spaces. They have been set-up to support social distancing. 
• Room Capacity: Each of the rooms listed above have a sign outside the room with the COVID-19 capacity. The number of people in the room should not exceed that number.
• Food: No food is allowed in classrooms. 

Cleaning: After you are finished using a space, wipe down the area you used with the available disinfectant and paper towels/wipes. If additional cleaning supplies are needed please submit a work order to Facilities in CamelWeb and note the room or space where it is needed. You may also email the Events office and they will assist in replenishing the supplies (events@conncoll.edu).

 Implications for Violations of the COVID Expectations

There are two possible COVID-19 violation outcomes:

• COVID-19 warning
• Loss of housing (or access to campus) and complete the semester remotely

For some violations, students may receive a COVID-19 warning. If they violate the expectations a second time, they will lose their housing/access to campus and be required to complete the semester remotely. Egregious violations of the COVID-19 expectations (such as exceeding room capacity limits, hosting gatherings or parties, unauthorized off campus travel) will result in an immediate loss of housing/campus access.  

Students who lose their housing and are directed to complete the semester remotely after Feb. 15 will not receive a room and board credit.

During the fall semester, 120 students received COVID letters of warning and 19 students lost their housing privileges/access to campus and completed the semester remotely.

There are also additional Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct considerations. In addition to the COVID-19 violation outcomes, each case is evaluated to determine if there are additional Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct violations, and the entire set of circumstances, including a student’s past conduct history, is considered in determining a student’s conduct status, which may be one of the following:

• Disciplinary Warning
• Disciplinary Probation Level 1
• Disciplinary Probation Level 2
• Suspension
• Expulsion