Responding to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

How is Assumption responding to COVID-19 at the Worcester and Rome, Italy Campuses?

A Proactive Approach to the COVID-19 Situation

Note: Remote learning extended to the end of the spring 2020 semester; Commencement rescheduled to August

College administrators have been meeting each day, closely monitoring the rapidly changing international, national and local COVID-19, coronavirus, situation. Our approach to this global health crisis has been two-fold: promote and maintain the safety of our campus community and ensure the completion of academic programs with as few disruptions as possible. We take seriously the safety of our students and the campus community, a community that includes several individuals at high risk for serious illness from coronavirus.

Since the outbreak, Assumption has proactively responded to the coronavirus situation since concerns first arose in January:

Reminded students of flu prevention efforts
Suspended all College-related international travel and non-essential domestic travel
Urged students studying abroad to return to the United States
Temporarily suspended Rome Campus operations
Students studying in Florence through the AIFS program as well as the Rome students have returned to the U.S., are self-isolating for two weeks and may return to campus after the isolation period with a physician’s approval.
Strongly, and several times, discouraged members of our community from traveling outside of the country during spring break.
All public spaces, residence halls and bathrooms were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected during spring break
Informed those who did travel outside of the U.S. that they may not return to campus for 14 days following re-entry to the U.S.
Extended spring break by three days; temporarily transitioning to remote learning.
- Offered on-campus housing to international students, students living more than five hours from campus and those with internships.
Extended remote learning to April 13; Spring sports canceled
Extended remote learning through the end of the semester; students invited to move out of residence halls; Commencement rescheduled to August
Supporting the needs of the Class of 2024
- Extended the enrollment deposit deadline to June 1
- Decreased enrollment deposit from $400 to $50

COVID-19 Information

Students, faculty or staff who are not feeling well and are concerned they may have coronavirus should seek immediate medical attention. Individuals should contact their primary care doctor or The Wellness Center, explain their symptoms then schedule an appointment. After seeing a medical professional, they will work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to determine if the individual should be tested for coronavirus or if they should self-isolate. As a reminder, anytime members of the Assumption community feel ill, they should avoid contact with others. Students should contact their professors and Eloise Knowlton, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at 508-767-7486 with regard to missed classes.

Members of the Assumption community should first call The Wellness Center rather than visiting the office without prior contact with staff.
Once coronavirus began to spread in the northern region of Italy, which is located a distance from our Rome Campus, the College suspended all College-sponsored and independent student travel to the Lombardy and Veneto regions of Italy. Shortly thereafter, the Tuscany region was added to the suspended travel list.

Following a Level 3 and 4 Travel Advisory put into place urging individuals to reconsider travel and not travel to certain areas of the country, respectively, College officials made the decision to temporarily suspend the spring Rome program and is arranged for students to travel back to the United States. Since students did not receive the full Rome experience, Assumption will explore the possibility of providing this group of students a future opportunity to experience the Rome program in full.

14-Day Restriction from Campus Following International Travel

Students returning to the United States from Assumption's campus in Rome, Italy were instructed to self-isolate at home for a minimum of 14 days, and are not permitted on campus during the 14-day period. Following the end of that self-isolation period, they will be welcomed back to campus if they have been cleared by their physician.
Assumption has offered to all students participating in study abroad the option to return to the United States to complete their academic program. Shortly thereafter, the Centers for Disease Control issued Guidance for Student Foreign Travel for Institutions of Higher Education. This guidance states, that colleges and universities should consider:
- Postponing or canceling foreign exchange programs
- Asking current program participants to return to the United States
The CDC advises that “students may face unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, challenges in returning home or accessing health care while abroad.” Unlike our Rome Campus, we cannot dictate the operations of third-party study abroad providers. However, please know that Assumption students participating in these study abroad programs still have the option to return to the United States, where Assumption will develop a program that enables them to complete their course of study.
Below, please find links to messages sent to parents and students relative to the coronavirus situation. Parents, if you are not receiving these messages, please send an email to acpa@assumption.edu with your son or daughter's name and year of graduation.
- 1.28.2020: Coronavirus Information (Students)
- 2.24.2020: Coronavirus Precautions at Assumption's Rome Campus (Rome Students)
- 2.24.2020: Coronavirus Precautions at Assumption's Rome Campus (Rome Parents)
- 2.26.2020: Coronavirus and Study Abroad (Study Abroad Students and Parents)
- 2.28.2020: Spring Break Travel Advisory (Students)
- 2.28.2020: Inviting Study Abroad Students to Return to the U.S. to Complete their Academic Program (Study Abroad Students)
- 2.28.2020: Assumption's Response to Coronavirus (Students)
- 2.28.2020: Assumption's Response to Coronavirus (Parents)
- 3.02.2020: Discouraging International Travel & Rome Campus Update (Parents)
- 3.02.2020: Discouraging International Travel During Spring Break (Faculty and Staff)
- 3.02.2020: Discouraging International Travel During Spring Break (Students)
- 3.03.2020: Inviting Study Abroad Students to Return to the U.S. (Study Abroad Students)
- 3.05.2020: Discouraging International Spring Break Travel (Students)
- 3.05.2020: COVID-19 Information Resource; Pre-Spring Break Travel Reminder (Faculty and Staff)
- 3.05.2020: COVID-19 Information Resource; Pre-Spring Break Travel Reminder (Parents)
- 3.08.2020: Rome Student Self-Isolation Reminder (Rome Students)
- 3.10.2020: Online Information Resource (Parents)
- 3.10.2020: Reminder of Option to Return to the U.S. to Complete Studies (Study Abroad Students and Families)
- 3.11.2020: International Spring Break Travelers Prohibited from Campus for 14 Days (Students, Faculty and Staff)
- 3.12.2020: Spring Break Extended, Remote Instruction to Begin Thursday (Students, Parents, Faculty ad Staff)
- 3.13.2020: College Office Continuity & Leave Policy (Faculty and Staff)
- 3.14.2020: College ID Required for Campus Access & Expanded Brightspace Support (Faculty and Staff)
- 3.17.2020: Update on Campus Operations (Students and Parents)
- 3.17.2020: Update on Campus Operations (Faculty and Staff)
- 3.18.2020: Assumption Decreases Enrollment Deposit from $400 to $50; Extends Deposit Deadline to June 1 for Class of 2024
- 3.19.2020: Notification of Assumption Staff Member Who May Have Been Exposed to COVID-19 (Students, Faculty and Staff)
- 3.19.2020: Notification of Assumption Staff Member Who May Have Been Exposed to COVID-19 (Parents)
- 3.20.2020: Remote Learning Extended Through the End of the Semester; Commencement Rescheduled to August (Students, Parents, Faculty and Staff)
- 3.20.2020: Residence Hall and Apartment Move Out Schedule (Students and Parents)
- 3.21.2020: A Message to the Assumption Community from President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. (Alumni)
- 3.23.2020: Stay-at-home Order, Continuity of College Operations and Advising (Students and Parents)
- 3.23.2020: Stay-at-home Order & Continuity of College Operations (Faculty and Staff)
- 3.23.2020: Message for 2020 Rome Students & Families (Students and Families)
- 3.23.2020: Message for Graduate and Continuing & Career Education Students
During this time of uncertainty with COVID-19, IBH remains focused on the well-being and health of Assumption employees.

In addition to the resources that are available through the Portal, IBH is providing access to a recorded webinar on Emotional Health & Resilience: Strategies for Managing Stress, Anxiety and Fear with COVID-19. IBH has also published several new overview sheets that cover top-of-mind of topics such as managing stress, self-care, resilience and coping with anxiety. These materials are available to anyone to view and download.

From all the associates at IBH, we remain strong in our vision to assist Assumpiton employees and help them navigate through times of crisis, and every day moving forward to help them their best.

Additional Resources

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

The CDC has created a comprehensive online resource of information about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Visit the CDC's website for information on how coronavirus spreads, prevention and treatment, what to do if you are sick, symptoms, and much more.

Centers for Disease Control

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Throughout this situation, Assumption will follow guidelines as issued by the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Visit the Mass. DOH website for additional information.

Mass DPH

Summer and Fall 2020 in Rome

While operations at our Rome Campus are temporarily suspended, plans are underway to resume programs for the summer. Study in Rome for four weeks this summer or a full semester this fall as the city becomes your classroom! Interested in studying at the Rome Campus this summer or fall? Apply soon to reserve your spot!

Learn more

Assumption's Response to COVID-19