Although Emerson College’s COVID-19 plan for residence halls has not been finalized, it has been confirmed that each dorm building will be limited to the people who live there. While the college is moving towards a “closed campus” (in regards to off-campus students and guest visitation), on-campus students are being denied the full extent of campus spaces. This is troubling for many students who where expecting this in this in the choice to return to Emerson, additionally, driving many students to pursue off-campus options. While safety is of the upmost importance at this time, there are other strategies to prevent exposure and density on campus that still retain student’s ability to move about campus buildings.

This petition is meant as a call to reevaluate this policy and take into account other options and proposals.

OUR PLATFORM: 

1. While the social aspect of college life has had to take a back seat in favor of public health, upon return to campus, students will still have the desire to be as social as ever. However, without secluded dorm space, students who choose to socialize (with safety precautions, of course)  will have to do so in higher traffic areas such as restaurants and shops. It doesn’t make sense to “outsource” where students socialize to somewhere that may not have the precautions and means to deal with the pandemic that Emerson does. 

2. Maintaining student’s mental health has always been important at Emerson, and for some, the relationships they make at school are a large factor into their happiness. Opening dorms makes it easier for students to socialize without the anxiety of being unsafe in a public setting.

3. For those who are dorming in hotels, access to other students is far less than those in larger buildings. Upon reaching out to the Housing Department, they suggest being social with those in your building. Comparing the suites of 2B to the two floors of single suites in the hotels, there is no question there is an unfair population advantage to those in larger buildings.

4. De-Densifying campus has been at the forefront of Emerson’s COVID-19 planning. However, blocking off dorms would lead to libraries, dining halls, and other common rooms being hot spots for friends to see each other. Even with capping capacity, students will be mingling with each other in these rooms. However, opening dorms to everyone would add more space for students to both eat and study in a more secluded area, leaving the dining halls and libraries open to single patrons.

5. If a student chooses socialize after sunset, it becomes increasingly dangerous. With a limited amount of ride share options, shops and restaurants closing early, and limiting train service, a student’s time to be with friends is short. While The Common is a great place to social distance while also being with friends, that too is only safe (and in some parts, open) before sunset. 

THE PROPOSAL:

Due to the plethora of issues surrounding this potential closing off of our campus, it is important to re-evaluate this policy with student’s safety and well being in mind. While this petition calls for a re-evaluation, here are some suggested ideas to combat closing  dorms:

1. Use a “Tap In, Tap Out” policy to track who is in and out of each building. This way, in case of exposure, you are able to notify those who may want to get tested. It is easier to notify a dorm floor about exposure than it is to notify a restaurant. In addition, with more students remaining on our campus for food and socializing, it is easier to track the virus instead of spreading it to the wider community. 

2. With this policy, it would be beneficial for RA’s to do checks that rooms are kept under a certain amount of guests. Similar to the fire code from previous years, rooms should be kept under a certain capacity. 

3. Students would be encouraged to wear masks while socializing with friends (aside from when they are eating). In addition, hosts should be prepared to disinfect surfaces and provide hand sanitizers for guests as well as ensuring their guests have had their weekly COVID tests before inviting them over.  

4. Students would be encouraged to keep their circles small when it comes to socializing. While making new friends is (obviously) encouraged, keep a good amount of friends as constants. 

While Emerson’s ruling to close dorms was intended for the well being of students, there are many other options to keep our campus safe while preserving the on-campus experience. Again, safety is the most important factor in going back to school at this current moment, however keeping dorms as spaces for all on-campus students would reduce exposure and create safer spaces within our campus for students.