Marist Updates Policies for the Spring
Two weeks after the start of the spring 2021 semester online, students will return to in-person instruction on March 1. Ahead of that date, Marist has updated some of its policies and procedures. Changes include an updated resident student visitation policy, additional guidance on gathering size limits, off-campus travel and adherence to testing as well as contact tracing protocols.
“Off-campus guests, including commuter students, are not permitted within any campus residence facility,” the addendum to the Code of Conduct includes. In the fall semester, students were not allowed to enter residence facilities where they did not live.
“Immediate family of students will be welcomed to visit, but will not be permitted to enter residential or academic buildings. Students residing in campus housing are permitted to visit with one another, including students from different residence facilities, provided that gathering size limits and mask requirements are followed.”
The college also noted that the feedback from parents and students regarding dining services last semester was concerning and it is working with Sodexo to ensure higher quality food for the spring semester. Students will receive updated information about the campus dining services and new policies related to the cafeteria and other dining options on campus.
Similar to the fall 2020 semester, students will be required to take a daily health survey prior to attending classes each day. However, for the spring, Marist has added a reset button on students’ MyMarist pages in case they accidentally select the wrong information on their health survey.
Marist is once again requiring that students get a COVID-19 PCR test before traveling to campus in addition to participating in the mandatory arrival testing set up by the college. Students who live off campus will be required to get tested during the first week of in-person classes starting on March 1. Students must register for arrival testing via IMLeagues.
“Resident students, including those who have quarantined off campus, must be tested on the date they arrive on campus,” the Office of Student Affairs shared. “Students who arrive after testing hours have concluded must be tested the next day so that the test is conducted within 24 hours of arrival.”
Along with arrival testing, Marist has a plan to increase the frequency of surveillance testing among the Marist community to every 14 days. Whether students are living on or off campus, they will be expected to participate in the mandatory surveillance testing program.
“While the policies may seem challenging, the college has established them for our collective public health, the Marist Office of Student Affairs said. “We anticipate making changes to the plan as well as overall changes to the dining program, and will provide an update in the coming days.”
Marist has updated some of its policies and procedures for the spring semester. Source: Tara Guaimano