General FAQ

Q. Have there been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the BC campus?

A. No. However there have been two confirmed cases and two presumptive cases among students who studied abroad in Europe this semester.  All four students returned from Europe directly to their homes.  They are self-isolating and receiving care. 

Q. Has Commencement been cancelled?

A. While classes will be held online through the end of the semester, no decision has yet been made on Commencement.

Q. Will limitations be imposed in McElroy Dining facilities given the order imposed by Governor Baker?

Effective March 17, in compliance with Governor Baker's emergency order, BC Dining will serve food to-go and monitor the number of customers in dining locations so as not exceed the limit of 25 people. 

Q. What are the hours of operation for BC Dining Halls in the coming days?

A.  March 16 - March 20

  • Lower Live: 8:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m.
  • The Market: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Carney's: 8:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
  • Legal Grounds: 8:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
  • Cafe 129: 8:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.

bc.edu/dining

Q. Will O'Neill Library remain open? 

A.  O'Neill Library remains open. Students, however, are required to respect social distancing guidelines. 

  • Sunday: 11:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m.
  • Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Q. What additional resources will be provided by University Libraries to assist with remote learning? 

A. As Boston College has moved entirely to online instruction for the remainder of the semester, the University Libraries are providing support to students and faculty.  For the most up-to-date information on hours and services visit the libraries site. Here are the key points:

  • Online Course Materials
    The Libraries will continue all online course materials services.  While already extensive, additional online and streaming materials will be purchased as required to meet needs, and will be made available as soon as possible.  
  • Subject Liaisons Offering Heightened Online Consultation
    In addition to our general reference services, our subject specialist liaisons are available to provide whatever assistance they can to students and faculty.  These services range from quick reference questions to extensive online consultations, but also help in navigating information and services.

  • Print Materials for Coursework and Research
    We will scan entire books when needed for research or instruction (discussions in the library community support this emergency-related copyright exception). Requests for scanning entire books will be processed in weekly increments. To facilitate this process, we ask that faculty submit their requests broken down by chapter and date needed. Please note that we cannot promise timely fulfillment for this service if demand for it increases dramatically. The first choice would be for faculty to find alternative online resources. 

  • Burns Library Special Collections
    We will work with faculty/students on individual bases to provide scans of historical/primary sources needed for instruction or research. Please place requests through https://libguides.bc.edu/Burns/contact.

  • Extended Loan Periods
    Loan periods for library owned materials will be extended to Sept. 1.  Similarly, fines for most materials will be waived until Sept. 1, 2020. Exceptions include materials in Course Reserves and items not owned by the Libraries, such as materials obtained through Interlibrary Loan. For questions about items in Course Reserves, please contact Course Reserves at oneill.reserves@bc.edu or at 617-552-2297. For questions about items obtained through Interlibrary Loan, please contact  Interlibrary Loan at ill@bc.edu or 617-552-3209.

  • Returning Materials
    Checked out items can be returned to the libraries in person. For questions about mailing materials, please visit the Contact Us library webpage; or contact us at notices@bc.edu or 617-552-8038.

  • Interlibrary Loan Services
    At the current time, Interlibrary Loan services are fully operational. Timelines for interlibrary loan requests may be affected by the availability of interlibrary loan services at other institutions. To access your interlibrary loan account, please visit the interlibrary loan webpage. If you need assistance, please contact us at ill@bc.edu or at 617-552-3209

  • Expanded Chat Reference Services
    We have increased staffing for our Ask-A-Librarian Services, including 24/7 online chat and email reference.

  • The Physical Libraries
    At the current time, Boston College users who would like to come in and use the collections will find us here and open. See here for current hours. 


Q. What is the best source of information moving forward?

A. The Coronavirus website www.bc.edu/coronavirus

Q. Who can we contact for additional information?

A.
Student Affairs:
bcsa@bc.edu
617-552-8600

Office of Residential Life:
reslife@bc.edu
617-552-3060

Office of International Programs:
oip@bc.edu
617-552-3827

Office of International Students and Scholars:
bcis@bc.edu
617-552-8005

Office of Student Services:
studentservices@bc.edu
617-552-3300   

Montserrat Office:
617-552-3140

Carroll School of Management:

  • Undergraduate Dean’s Office: 617-552-3932
  • Graduate Dean’s Office: 617-552-3773

Connell School of Nursing: 617-552-4250, sondean@bc.edu

Law School Dean’s Office: 617-552-4340

Lynch School of Education and Human Development: 617-552-4200

Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences: mcas.dean@bc.edu

  • Undergraduate Dean’s Office: 617-552-2800, casdean@bc.edu
  • Graduate Dean’s Office: 617-552-3268

School of Social Work: 617-552-4020, bcsswdean@bc.edu

School of Theology & Ministry: 617-552-6501

Woods College of Advancing Studies: 617-552-3900, woodscollege@bc.edu

Student FAQ

Q. Will students receive refunds for their room charges?

A. Yes. Students who are leaving campus will receive prorated refunds. Details will be shared as soon as possible.

Q. Will students receive a refund for unused money on their meal plans?

A. Yes. Students will receive a prorated refund for mandatory meal plans. Details will be shared as soon as they are finalized.

Q. Will students receive a tuition refund? 

A.  No. Classes will continue to be held for the remainder of the semester, but in an online environment.

Q. Will students receive full academic credit for their remote coursework?

A. Yes.

Q.  Is Boston College prepared to offer online instruction? What quality can we expect? 

A.  Boston College has all the necessary technology in place to serve our students. Between now and March 19, training will be available for faculty who require it in Zoom, Canvas, and Proctorio. Ongoing support will be provided through the Center for Teaching Excellence, Information Technology Services, and Center for Digital Innovation in Learning. Academic deans and faculty are committed to delivering all course content with the same rigor and high expectations for our students.  

Q. Will final exams be held?

A. Yes, final exams will be held remotely.

Student Services will be publishing the Final Exam schedule by the end of March.  If your instructor is giving a synchronous final exam, it will be conducted at the normally scheduled time, and students should review the schedule to determine the timing of their finals.  Check with your instructor as to the type of final exam that will be given.  We will notify students and faculty once the schedule is published; as always, students with conflicts should be in touch with their faculty members to make alternate arrangements. 

Q. What is the plan for the BC students who are still studying abroad?

A. The University announced on March 10 that it is suspending all study-abroad programs. Students have been instructed to return home as soon as possible. 

Q. Did BC grant exceptions to students who needed to remain on campus, due to international travel restrictions or who have personal issues?

A. Yes. Exceptions to the move-out policy were made on a case-by-case basis. 

Q. Did the University provide short-term exceptions for students who needed to stay a few days after the Sunday deadline due to international flight schedules?

A.  Yes. Short-term accommodations for imminent travel plans have been accommodated.

Q. Has a decision been made on the Housing Selection Process?

A. The Housing Selection Process for next year’s undergraduate housing is on hold for at least a week.  The Office of Residential Life will communicate with students once the new dates have been established.   

Q. What is the status of grad assistants?  Will they be paid for the remainder of the semester?

A. Fully funded graduate students will maintain their stipends and benefits throughout this period.  Hourly paid graduate students will be paid as long as they are fulfilling their regular responsibilities and work on campus.  Undergraduate student employees who have been granted permission to remain on campus or live in close proximity to campus will be able to continue their jobs, provided there is a need as determined by their supervisor.  

Q. What is the status of RDs and RAs after March 15?

A. RDs will continue to work in residence halls to oversee those students who will be granted exceptions to remain on campus. RAs have been given the option to stay or return home after March 15.

Q. How will students who rented books return them at the end of the semester?

A. Book rentals can be returned by mail at the end of the semester. Rental textbooks upon return are not refunded; rather, rental books are “checked in” by specific due date to avoid the full book price being charged to the student. 

Q. How will lab work continue in an online environment?

A. Instructors will communicate with students to explain alternative arrangements. Details will be forthcoming.

Q. Will nursing students be able to continue their clinical work?

A. While the university has endeavored to provide housing for all nursing students engaged in clinical, it is up to each individual student to decide whether they wish to remain on campus or not. We cannot be certain at this time—based on current information from State licensing authorities—whether students will remain on track to graduate if they do not complete all their clinical hours in patient care. Ultimately, virtual experiences may count for clinical hours, but as of this writing there has been no assurance from any State Board of Nursing that this will meet NCLEX requirements in any of the 50 States. 

Q. Will students who receive financial aid lose their federal eligibility?

A. As long as students continue their course work and maintain at least half-time status, they will still be eligible for federal aid.

Q. What happens to students with F-Visas who are permitted to take only one course online per term?

A. The Department of Education promises broad approval to schools seeking relief from federal standards regarding online education for the remainder of this academic year.

Q. What resources will be available from ITS to students and during the transition to remote learning?

A. Tips For Learning Through Disruptions

Web page for connecting to BC resources: www.bc.edu/workoffcampus

Get Help

Contact the BC ITS Technology Help Center

Extended Hours

To assist students and faculty with the transition to online classes, we have expanded our technology support hours:

  • Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
  • Friday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday/Sunday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Stay Up-To-Date

  • Updates on technology services and unplanned outages: 
    • Follow @BostonCollegeIT on Twitter
  • bc.edu/help
  • University updates on Covid-19: bc.edu/cornonavirus

Faculty & Staff FAQ

Q. Is the University closed?

While classes have been transitioned to virtual and online delivery, a significant number of students remain on campus. As such, the University remains open and operations continue.

Q. Will some employees be working remotely?

Yes. Area Vice Presidents, Deans, or designees are in the process of determining optimal on-campus staffing needs and, in consultation with Human Resources, coordinating the possibility of employees working remotely, presuming necessary technology is available.

Q. What should an employee do if he/she feels sick?

If an employee is not feeling well, or is ill, that employee should stay home until he/she is feeling better. In the meantime, especially if the employee is experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath), the employee should be instructed to call his/her physician for further medical advice.

Q. What does “presumptive positive” mean?

According to the CDC, a “presumptive positive” occurs when a person tests positive for the virus locally, but the CDC has not yet confirmed the results. A state, local or private laboratory may test a respiratory specimen from a patient, but the CDC must still confirm the results (‘laboratory-confirmed”). For public health purposes, a presumptive positive result shall be treated as a “positive”.

Q. What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?

If you test positive for COVID-19, you should do the following:

  • Do not come to work.
  • Inform your manager and call Human Resources at 2-3335.
  • Only return to work when healthy and free from fever for over 24 hours [see FAQ # 8 re: return to work]

Q. Under what circumstances will BC employees be expected to self-quarantine at home for 14 days prior to returning to work?

As a precautionary measure, and with appropriate documentation reviewed and authorized by Human Resources, University employees will be given leave accommodations in light of the COVID-19 outbreak under the following circumstances: 1) if an employee or a member of the employee’s household has traveled to locations of high concern as determined by the CDC; or 2) the employee or a member of the employee’s household has come into direct contact with an individual who has contracted the COVID-19 virus. In these cases, the employee will be expected to self-quarantine at home for fourteen (14) days prior to returning to work. 

Q. How will self-quarantined employees be paid?

  • If the employee traveled on University-sponsored or work-related business, the University will continue the regular salary of the employee for self-quarantine time away from work, in consultation with the department head and Human Resources. The employee must also provide subsequent clearance from a qualified medical professional to return to work. To the extent possible, self-quarantined employees whose roles are conducive to working remotely will be expected to do so, provided they are able.   
  • Employees who self-quarantine because 1) they or a member of their household traveled to locations of high concern as determined by the CDC; or 2) they or a member of their household came into direct contact with an individual who has contracted COVID-19, will be provided up to fourteen (14) days off from work or until the employee is cleared by a qualified medical professional to return to work, whichever occurs earlier.  To the extent possible, self-quarantined employees whose roles are conducive to working remotely will be expected to do so as long as they are able, provided they obtain the permission of their department head.  

Q. Under what circumstances should employees return to work after being home sick?

According to CDC guidelines, employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [38.0° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).

Q. What happens if someone in my office is sick? Am I quarantined as a result of the possible exposure?

Unless the employee in question is a confirmed COVID-19 case, co-workers should continue to work as usual.

Q. When and how should I request special accommodations due to compromised immune systems or respiratory conditions?

If an employee has a compromised immune system or respiratory condition, and is advised by a medical professional to avoid public spaces, the employee should present documentation to HR through the Office of Institutional Diversity.   OID will explore options with the employee, as it would with any other accommodation request. Electronic or digital documentation will be accepted.  If you require a special accommodation, please contact Patricia Lowe at patricia.lowe@bc.edu.

Q. May employees required to work on campus bring their children to work?

No. Employees may not bring children to work with them.

Q. Does the Boston College healthcare plan cover a test for COVID-19?

Yes. Moreover, the University, in consultation with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, has decided that there will be no cost-sharing, co-pays, or deductibles for the COVID-19 test whether administered in your doctor’s office, urgent care facility, or the emergency room.  In addition, there will be no cost-sharing, co-pays, or deductibles for any telemedicine consultations.  All other medical service coverage will remain unchanged.

 

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