August 19, 2020 — As we welcome you back to campus during this unprecedented time, I am writing to reiterate Marist's expectations for student behavior during the Fall semester. I know that this information has been shared previously via e-mail, in your required training, and through the reopening website, but I believe that it is critical to speak frankly and directly to you about the level of accountability that will be required for all of us to remain on campus for in-person instruction in the fall.

As you may know, several colleges across the country have opened in the last week and experienced a spike in the number of infections among students on campus. As a result, these institutions have already moved all classes online and sent students home. We all have a responsibility to prevent this from occurring at Marist.

As a campus community, we bear an enormous shared responsibility to protect the health and well-being of ourselves and others on campus, and in the surrounding communities. Our success this upcoming semester will depend upon universal adherence to Marist's shared responsibility model, including, among other actions, maintaining appropriate physical distancing; wearing a mask in all public spaces; and other requirements as outlined in the required student training and COVID Code of Student Conduct addendum.

For all members of the Marist community—students, faculty, and staff—a failure to adhere to these policies will directly and immediately risk the health and safety of everyone who spends time on our campus. Students should be aware that the College will not tolerate violations of Marist's COVID Code of Student Conduct addendum. Violations will result in immediate discipline, which may include suspension, restrictions from campus, removal from campus housing, and/or being withdrawn from one or more classes. While these disciplinary actions may seem severe, we take them out of concern for you and our entire Marist community.

As you settle into campus life in the coming days, it is important that you review the Student Code of Conduct addendum. In particular, take note of the following requirements that will be enforced daily:

• Wear face coverings in all public spaces.
• Submit the Daily Health Attestation, required for all students, faculty, and staff prior to arrival on campus.
• Adhere to social distancing guidelines.
• Avoid congregating in large groups.
• Comply with orders to quarantine or isolate as required by a healthcare provider.
• Follow testing requirements as instructed by the College.
• Other requirements as determined by the Dean of Students.

In addition to the daily requirements noted above, I would also like to remind you that:

• Once students are on campus, any travel off campus is strongly discouraged until November 24.
• New York State has explicitly identified mass gatherings (including house parties) as super-spreader events that have led to COVID-19 outbreaks. Marist has a responsibility to our larger community to prevent such events. Therefore, it is our expectation that no outdoor social gatherings of more than ten people occur at any time, on or off-campus unless it is a College-sponsored event. In any gathering, all attendees must be masked and remain six feet apart. If an off-campus social gathering that violates these policies is reported to any campus official, it will be investigated, and organizers and attendees may be subject to disciplinary action.
• Social gatherings within residence hall public spaces (lounges, suite/apartment common rooms) are permitted for residents of the hall within the posted occupancy of each space. When gatherings do take place, students are required to remain six feet apart and to wear facial coverings.
• Social gatherings in student rooms of residence halls are permitted as outlined below and on the reopening website. When gatherings do take place, students are required to remain six feet apart and masked.
  • Students residing in traditional residence halls (Leo, Sheahan, Marian, and Champagnat) are allowed to have a maximum of one (1) other Marist student from within their residence hall to visit their room. The maximum number of students allowed in Midrise suites is equal to the occupancy of the entire suite. When gatherings do take place, students are required to remain six feet apart and wear a facial covering.
  • Students residing in apartments and suites (Lower & Upper New Townhouses, Foy Townhouses, Lower & Upper West Cedar, Lower & Upper Fulton, North End Housing, and Conklin Hall) are permitted to have Marist students from outside of their apartment/townhouse visit with them. Students are allowed to have a maximum of one (1) additional Marist student guest above the occupancy of their room. The maximum number of students allowed in a common space at any given time is equal to the occupancy of that apartment/townhouse. When gatherings do take place, students are required to remain six feet apart and wear a facial covering.
  • For example, if you are living in a single-style room, you are permitted to have one additional Marist student guest. Similarly, if you are living in a double-style room, you are permitted to have a total of three Marist students in your room at any given time, and so on.
• Marist will continue to comply with or exceed all New York State New York Forward and Department of Health requirements and Dutchess County public health guidelines, which continue to change on a regular basis. Students should be aware that over the course of the semester, Marist may have to amend some policies to comply with revised regulations and to protect the safety of our community.

Marist will continue to carefully monitor this public health situation on campus, locally, and at the state and national level. Our ability to hold in-person instruction and host students in the residence halls through November 24 relies on our community's adherence to the health and safety guidelines outlined above and in the reopening plan.

I look forward to seeing you on campus for start of another successful semester.

Sincerely,
Deb DiCaprio
Vice President of Student Affairs