From Miesha Smith, the Director of Student Life:

"Thank you for sharing your concerns about the COVID rules at Brookdale.  I have met with President Raab and she asked me to let you know that we are all aware of the urge to lighten restrictions at Brookdale and the President herself is quite sympathetic.  However, very few of the restrictions are within our control to remove.  For example, the removal of the mask restriction is a decision that had to be made by CUNY and the Chancellor. However, President Raab has been lobbying to lighten restrictions and will continue to request that CUNY lighten guest restrictions and allow residents to visit each other's rooms and lounges. I'll be sure to be in contact with you soon as we see more developments this week. Thank you again for reaching out and sharing your concerns. I look forward to sharing good news soon!"

My response:

"Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. We appreciate anything Hunter administration can do. Other CUNY RAs at our trainings in August and January were surprised we were still on such strict lockdown, as it seems most other CUNY schools with dorms allow residents to visit other rooms and City College allows guests with proof of vaccination. Given our new testing requirement and the post-Omicron plummet in cases, plus the fact that Hunter has allowed outside guests like film crews to use the building throughout the pandemic, it seemed like an appropriate time to ask for an easing of restrictions.

We haven't heard yet how/if the lifting of the mask mandate applies to Student Housing, although our concern was just around being able to socialize. We sincerely appreciate the support from you and President Raab and hope to see changes very soon."