22% of Assumption students quarantined

Photo | Courtesy | Assumption University Assumption University in Worcester

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By Grant Welker

More than one out of five residential students at Assumption University are in quarantine or isolation, the Worcester school's president said to the campus community Wednesday.

President Francesco Cesareo urged the Assumption community to better follow safety protocols, and said the school's plan to have students on campus through Thanksgiving break is at risk. In all, 155 students are quarantined or in isolation either on campus or at home, 22% of all residential students.

Assumption reported on its website more than 27,000 coronavirus tests conducted through Tuesday, with six positive cases. But 176 noncompliance complaints have been received for 69 incidents, with involvement from 170 students.

"These figures are jeopardizing the University’s ability to provide a residential experience until November 20 for students," Cesareo said. "Students have endured much in the past few months. They deserve to remain on campus. They deserve to take in-person classes. And they deserve to spend more time with their friends and teammates."

Cesareo urged the campus community to wear a mask, practice social distancing, frequently wash hands, and no leave campus unless necessary.

Assumption opted to break its fall semester into two parts, allowing onto campus for the first half only freshmen and seniors on campus for the first term, along with students who live outside the Northeast, including international students. The first day of classes was moved up to Aug. 17, but the first two weeks of classes were held online. It also eliminated three-person dorm rooms and reduced on-campus capacity from roughly 1,600 students to between 900 and 1,000.