NEC Health Alert

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A NOTE FROM PRESIDENT KALYN REGARDING NEXT STEPS AT NEC
APRIL 23, 2020 12:20 PM ET

Dear students,

It seems quite unfathomable that it was only six weeks ago that we announced our transition to teaching and learning in a wholly online format, rapidly reshaping the spring semester in ways—and at a pace—never before seen in higher education.

That decision was motivated entirely by our imperative to ensure the health, wellness, and safety of our extended community.  And while we knew the transition would present some inherent challenges, we knew also that it would be successful in upholding the integrity, excellence, and distinctiveness of an NEC education, even in extraordinary times.

That confidence was rooted in the dedication, talent, and resourcefulness of our students, faculty, and staff.  I cannot adequately express my admiration and gratitude for your fortitude, determination, and compassion for others as we have navigated this unprecedented time.  In the face of jarring change, you have demonstrated the same commitment, flexibility, creativity, and care that characterizes your artistry and work on a daily basis.  I am grateful for you all. 

To be sure, there are many unknowns yet ahead of us.  While coronavirus has exposed the vulnerabilities of our interconnected, interdependent world, that same interconnection has spurred new, collaborative approaches to science and health that offer hope for the development of treatment and preventative solutions, even if that work is as yet ongoing.  We are inspired by the incredible contributions of those in healthcare, research, and other essential roles.  In our own work, we also have seen a new level of interconnection and collaboration that positions us well for shaping our “new normal” on the other side of this.  And yet, still, we wonder what the future holds for NEC. 

I reiterate my message from early March: we will get through this together, and we will emerge stronger musicians and people—and a stronger community—for it.  But I know, also, that you have more specific questions about our immediate future and plans, especially with respect to the Fall 2020 semester. 

Of the many lessons we have learned this semester, humility is perhaps the most important—and so, we must first acknowledge what we do not yet know.  Our world has changed dramatically in the few weeks since our transition to a digital campus, and we can expect that it will have changed yet again by the start of the fall semester, as broader testing and epidemiological research affords better understanding of COVID-19.  We are all wondering when we will return to campus, and what that return will look like.  While we do not yet have specific plans to share, I can assure you that the safety and wellness of our community remains our top priority, and that our return will be based on the guidance of public health officials. 

In light of these and many other factors, we have engaged a robust planning process, guided by NEC's senior leadership and our emergency response team, and in consultation with a special advisory committee of NEC’s Board of Trustees.  We plan to resume teaching and learning in the fall, and our planning process is centered on ensuring the high-level continuity of all aspects of an NEC education—coursework, lessons, performance, and ensembles—whilst also preserving health and wellness.  We are keenly aware, also, of the concerns and deadlines that you, our students and families, must resolve before the summer; please be assured that we will be in touch with more concrete information, as soon as we are able, in the coming weeks. 

I understand that this time presents greater ambiguity than is comfortable, and I am sorry for that.  I ask for your forbearance, as our patience and diligence today will allow public health officials to better understand the pandemic, develop better treatment protocols, and employ more robust testing regimes that will in turn enable NEC to provide the best possible educational experience for our students. 

Thank you once again for your patience, for your ongoing commitment to your musical and academic work, and for your own particular role in elevating the world through music. 

Please be well,

Andrea Kalyn
President

Student project support from rpts
April 15, 2020 7:32am ET

Dear NEC students,

Are you working on putting together a concert from home? Looking to make a YouTube video but don't know where to start? The Office of Recording and Performance Technology Services is here to help you with your audio/video project. We're hosting an informal brainstorming and how-to session on Thursday, April 16, from 6-7pm. Our engineering team will help you bring your project from concept to fruition. 

The session will be held on Zoom - please RSVP to RPTS@necmusic.edu for login details.

We hope to see you!

Lisa Nigris
Director
Office of Recording and Performance Technology Services
 

Message to graduating students from President Kalyn
April 1, 2020 9:35AM ET

Dear Graduating Students, 
 
First of all, please allow me to say how very sorry we all are that your final few weeks at NEC are being spent remotely.  We miss seeing you on campus, and are so sorry that the COVID-19 pandemic is making it necessary for us to develop alternative plans for your commencement.  
 
Because this is your day—a day for which you have worked so hard—it was important to us that we hear from you as we considered alternatives, and so I thank you for completing the survey sent over break.  Overwhelmingly, your preference was for an in-person event, and so I write now to confirm that this year’s commencement concert and ceremony will be deferred to the fall, when we can be together in person to celebrate your achievements in Jordan Hall.  As your transcript will reflect, your degrees will be conferred at the end of the semester, and so we are considering how we might mark that moment even whilst we await the formal ceremony in the fall. 
 
In this time of prolonged social distancing, the prospect of gathering together to celebrate your work—even belatedly—is a warm and inspiring thought.  We are already thinking of ways to make this commencement particularly special—including some special opportunities for you to perform with and for each other—as well as ways of including graduates who are not able to be there in person.  We will be in touch in the coming weeks with more specific information about dates and details as arrangements are determined.  If there are things that would be especially meaningful to you, please do not hesitate to let us know. 
 
In the meanwhile, please take care, and my very best to you for the remainder of the semester. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Andrea Kalyn
President

MESSAGE REGARDING PASS/FAIL COURSE OPTIONS, Promotionals and recitals
MARCH 30, 2020 11:50AM ET

Dear Students,

Today we welcome you back from the extended Spring break and to NEC’s digital campus. We want to be certain that you have all the necessary information to restart classes today.  As was mentioned in last week's FAQ document, we are sending you an update on two important topics today.

PASS/FAIL POLICY

Given the extraordinary circumstances this semester, NEC will institute a new Pass/Fail option for students, as per the following:

Studio lessons - these will continue with letter grades
Small and Large Ensembles - these are already graded pass/fail
Courses - these will continue with letter grades, unless students select a pass/fail option

Students may select the pass/fail option for classes until Friday, 17 April, which is also the last day to withdraw from classes. By choosing this option, students will receive grades of P+, P, P- and F*.  These grades are not included in GPA calculation.  To realize the benefits of a higher GPA (such as Dean's List or Academic Honors), a student needs to maintain 2/3rd of their full-time status credits on a letter-grade basis (8 credits for Bachelor of Music students and 6 credits for Master of Music or Doctor of Musical Arts students).

To select the pass/fail option, students need to request a form from the Office of Student Services and complete it by the April 17 deadline.  All forms should be submitted to Senior Associate Dean Rebecca Teeters (rebecca.teeters@necmusic.edu).

We strongly encourage students to consider this option after only at least one week of online classes, so that you can make an informed decision.

This policy applies to Spring 2020 courses only.

PROMOTIONALS & RECITALS

After consulting with faculty, we have established new guidelines for promotionals and recitals by department.  Students will receive specific details from department administrators later today.

I hope that you have an excellent start to online classes this week - please stay safe and healthy.

All best,

Tom Novak

Previous updates:

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS FROM PROVOST NOVAK
MARCH 27, 2020 11:25AM ET
 

Dear Students,

As you might imagine, faculty and staff have been putting a great deal of energy and time into preparing for the restart of classes next Monday, and I know that there have been questions about technology, scheduling, and many details related to curriculum.  We have developed a detailed list of questions and answers, which I hope will be helpful in advance of next week.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during the last few weeks.  We are looking forward to reconnecting with all of you next week.

Best regards,

Tom Novak
Vice President and Provost

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS FROM PRESIDENT KALYN
MARCH 24, 2020 11:25AM ET
 

Dear students, 

I write today trusting that you are safe and well in this unprecedented time in the history of both our conservatory and our society.  In a matter of mere days, the world has changed around us. 

The vibrant concert halls, classrooms, and studios of NEC have gone temporarily quiet, as have streets, businesses, and concert halls in cities around the world. And yet, our NEC community and our broader society have not: a cohort of devoted staff and faculty have been working tirelessly to ensure your safety and wellbeing in this fraught time, and to prepare our transition to online teaching and learning; and an even larger, global force of healthcare professionals are mounting a truly heroic effort—on behalf of all of us—to fight this pandemic. 

This is not the spring semester any of us had envisioned. I understand the disorientation, frustration, concern, and disappointment you must feel, for I have felt those, too. Over this past week, I have missed the energy of our campus community: the sounds of practicing wafting from the windows of 33G, the music spilling through studio doors, the luxury of more performances than I have time or energy to attend, the impromptu conversations with colleagues, and—most of all—seeing each of you. 

And yet, every day I am reminded that this “remote” period is indeed temporary—and in fact, not so entirely different. I reiterate my message from earlier this month: NEC is not shutting down.  When the spring semester resumes on March 30, we will once again come together, albeit in a new, virtual environment. The irreplaceable relationship between teacher and student—so core to the work and ethos of NEC—remains at the center of everything we do, whether in person or online. We are confident in this approach, and uncompromising in the rigor and quality of an NEC education, now and into the future; we will continue to provide you with the guidance you need to achieve the highest standards of artistic excellence.  While this transition admittedly will not be without its bumps, like our colleagues at conservatories and universities around the globe, we will work through the challenges and we will discover a host of new, unimagined opportunities.

Please know that we remain equally committed to supporting your wellbeing, in all aspects of your lives.  We have endeavored to provide emergency support for students in need, and our usual student-support services remain in place throughout the semester: our Health and Counseling Center is serving students through Telehealth appointments; the Office of Student Life continues its comprehensive work of supporting students' learning and progress; and departments such as the Office of Entrepreneurial Musicianship continue to see students in virtual appointments to assist with personal and professional development. 

At convocation in September, I said this was our year to turn NEC outward.  A few short months later, it is in fact our moment to do just that. In this time of grave uncertainty, you, as musicians, matter. You have the opportunity to take music to an entirely new dimension of relevance—at home, for your families, and for broader communities online—through your passion, dedication, creativity, and courage, as well as your talent. While this is not the semester we had planned, there is no question that these few weeks will play a seminal role in your growth into musical leaders who can elevate and change the world through your music; please eke out every bit of learning in them. 

I look forward to sharing in your music-making online, and wish you the very best till we are together in person again. 

Please be well,

Andrea Kalyn
President  

UPDATE REGARDING BUILDING ACCESS FOR STUDENTS
MARCH 23, 2020 1:00PM ET

On Monday, March 23, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring many organizations and businesses to cease in-person operations. Therefore, we are closing our practice room reservation system, which provided for very limited practice room availability while maintaining social distancing requirements. NEC staff will be in touch with all affected students to assist on a case-by-case basis. 

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS FROM NEC Health & COUNSELING CENTER
MARCH 18, 2020, 2:49PM ET

Dear Students,

Restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout Boston and the state have dramatically altered our academic, professional, and personal lives.  We appreciate how stressful this disruption has been to the NEC community, colleagues, and loved ones here and around the world.  We now know that community spread of the coronavirus is occurring in several counties throughout Massachusetts as shared by various media outlets.  It appears that individuals who are not seemingly ill may carry the virus and be capable of infecting others, making infection control processes challenging and difficult.  The use of social distancing techniques (maintaining 6 ft. of distance from others, limiting mass gatherings, closing schools and colleges) and measures to reduce the spread of infection (enhanced hand hygiene, avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying  home while ill) have never been more important. Although the vast majority of infected individuals will recover, we must protect the most vulnerable members of society by doing our part to reduce the spread of infection.  Please know that we stand ready to support you and your healthcare needs at this challenging time.

Please refer to the following FAQs to learn more about the services available to students at the NEC Health & Counseling Center and what to do if you believe that you have been exposed to, or have symptoms of COVID – 19.

I am a NEC student living in the community (or staying in the residence hall) and would like to make an appointment with my counselor.  Can I still see my counselor at the NEC Health & Counseling Center?

Yes.  The NEC Health & Counseling Center (NEC HCC) is open for scheduled counseling appointments Monday through Friday during the Center’s business hours (See below).  Urgent walk-in counseling appointments are also available between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.  Please schedule your appointment by calling the NEC HCC at 617.585.1284.

Monday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

I am an NEC student living in the community (or staying in the residence hall) and would like to make an appointment with a healthcare provider.  Can I still see my healthcare provider at the NEC Health & Counseling Center?

Yes.  The NEC Health & Counseling Center (NEC HCC) is open for medical appointments Monday through Friday during the Center’s business hours (See above). Please schedule your appointment by calling the NEC HCC at 617.585.1284

Can I walk in to the Health Center if I have a question or feel sick and want to make an appointment?

No.  Due to the highly infectious nature of the Coronavirus, we are asking all students who would like to visit the health center, or schedule an appointment, to call and communicate the reason for the visit.  We are better able to control the spread of infection if we screen everyone prior to his or her visit so that proper guidance can be provided to the student.  All students visiting the NEC HCC must sign in at the security desk in the SLPC to access the St. Botolph Building.

I have heard that I may be able to receive my health care online during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Is it possible for me to see my counselor or healthcare provider without going to their office?

Care delivered online is accomplished with Telehealth, which refers to a broad collection of electronic and telecommunications technologies that support health care delivery and services from distant locations. Contact your primary care provider about whether a telehealth visit is an option for you.

The NEC HCC will soon be offering Telehealth visits for established patients and counseling clients in need of care.  There may be limitations on what your clinician can provide within a telehealth visit.  For further information about your telehealth options, contact the NEC HCC at 617.585.1284.

What should I do if I am exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19 or if I am sick and think that, I may have COVID-19?

If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, or you are a resident in a community where there is ongoing spread of COVID-19 and develop symptoms of cough, fever, and/or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms and your exposure. They will decide whether you need to be tested.  It is important to remember that there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill may be able to isolate and care for themselves at home.

You may call the Partners COVID-19 triage line at 617.724.7000 to speak with a nurse who will direct you to the Emergency Department if needed or help you to schedule a COVID-19 test at an area clinic.

How will I know if I should to go to the hospital?

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

How can I prevent the spread of COVID-19 if I am sick?

There are many steps that you can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including:

• Staying home except to get medical care
• Staying in touch with your healthcare provider
• Avoiding public transportation
• Separating yourself from other people in your home
• Staying away from others
• Limiting contact with pets & animals

Visit the CDC website to learn more.

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS REGARDING BUILDING ACCESS
MARCH 16, 2020 1:15PM ET

Dear NEC students,
 
We are writing with an update to our Friday communication regarding building access for the coming days. Yesterday, Governor Baker issued an emergency order restricting gatherings throughout the Commonwealth. Therefore, we will be limiting access to NEC buildings to essential purposes only. 

• We will be initiating a new practice room reservation system for students remaining in the Boston area.  This system is meant only for students who have essential practice needs without any possibility of finding an alternative arrangement. Students who will need access must complete the practice room request form on the NEC Health Alert page. The request will be reviewed to determine if it represents an essential need.  If approved, you will be contacted to schedule the room. These spaces will first become available on Tuesday, March 17 at 12pm, and will be located in Jordan Hall. Jordan Hall will be closed to all other functions. Following Tuesday, hours will be from 7am to 5pm.
• The 33 Gainsborough Street and 241 St. Botolph Street buildings will remain closed until further notice, with the exception of students visiting the Health and Counseling Center, which can be accessed through the SLPC. Students experiencing symptoms of illness should call the Health and Counseling Center prior to arriving.
•  Guests will not be permitted in any NEC building.

These policies may change at any time based on evolving conditions. 
 
Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.
 
Thomas Novak
Vice President and Provost
 
Elizabeth Dionne
Vice President for Finance and Administration

message to students living in nec residence hall 
March 15, 2020 11:30AM ET

Dear NEC resident,

We are writing to let you know that the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to accelerate rapidly, and the likelihood of expanded, increasingly restrictive travel policies within and outside of the United States continues to grow. 

Therefore, we will require that all residence hall students depart campus by March 17 at 5pm ET unless granted an exemption for extraordinary circumstances. 

A member of the Student Services and/or Residence Life staff will be in touch with you today.

The Office of Residence Life stands ready to assist you with coordinating your departure, including moving supplies, storage options, travel, or other concerns. 

Sincerely,

Nick Tatar
Dean of Students 

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS FROM Elizabeth Dionne, Vice President FOR FINANCE & ADMINISTRATIOn
MARCH 13, 2020 2:30 PM ET

Dear NEC students,
 
We know that, during this time of uncertainty, you may have questions that we have not yet answered. I am writing to share with you some additional updates about refunds, building access, and student employment. I encourage you to continue to check the NEC Health Alert website for more information, as it is updated frequently. All of us who work at NEC are here to support you throughout this process of transitioning to online instruction, and I encourage you to reach out should you have questions.
 
Refunds for AudioVisual and Room and Board Fees

We have heard from many students and families looking for information regarding refunding of room and board fees for the Spring semester. 

• As students complete the residence hall check-out process, room and board refund processing will begin.
• For students who leave housing by March 20, the refund amount will be 40% of the Spring Semester room and board fees, as listed in the academic catalog (https://necmusic.edu/college-catalog) pages 50-51. Consistent with room checkout procedures, refunds will be adjusted for any extraordinary damage charges.
• Refunds are transferred electronically to student bank accounts within approximately 10 business days.
• If you are unsure if your electronic banking information is on file, please contact the NEC Business Office at businessoffice@necmusic.edu
• For students who utilize the TMS payment plan, the room and board refund will be applied against your total outstanding balance prior to issuing a refund.
• AudioVisual Recital Recording fee will be refunded for all students with recitals that were planned for after Friday, March 13.

Building Access

• Beginning today, we will be implementing new building access hours.
• Jordan Hall, 33 Gainsborough Street, and 241 St. Botolph Street buildings will close Friday, March 13 at 11pm and will not reopen before noon on Monday, March 16. Students should plan to remove any needed belongings from these buildings as soon as possible.
• The entrance to 241 St. Botolph street will be closed until further notice. Access to the Health and Counseling Center will be through the SLPC main entrance.  If you believe you are sick, please call the Health Center before coming to the building for additional instructions and screening information.
• Guests will not be permitted in the SLPC until further notice unless they are helping a student move out.

Student Employment

Student employment will be very limited during this disruption. 

• As teaching and learning at NEC will continue, students currently serving as Teaching Assistants will be contacted by their supervisor to discuss whether opportunities exist for continuing their work remotely. 
• We recognize that the challenging environment brought about by COVID-19 may result in some students experiencing financial hardship. Should you have financial concerns, we encourage you to reach out to us at coronavirus@necmusic.edu for more information. We will be gathering these requests through March 17.

I reiterate President Kalyn's message that NEC is not shutting down, and is rather transitioning to a new method of teaching and learning. We are here to support you, and will continue to be in touch in the coming days.
 
Elizabeth Dionne
Vice President for Finance and Administration

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS FROM PROVOST NOVAK
MARCH 13, 2020 9am et

Dear NEC students,

Following President Kalyn's communication about our transition to online teaching and learning, I know that you may have questions about our plans for the operation of the institution in the days ahead, and how these plans affect you.

I want to reiterate that NEC is not shutting down--we are transitioning to a new method of teaching and learning. School will resume on March 30, in the new online format.

This transition will not be without its challenges, but we will get through this, together. All of us who work at NEC want you to know that our commitment to your wellness and success is paramount, now and in the days ahead.

With respect to some immediate updates:

• We strongly advise students living in the residence hall to return home as soon as possible. The United States government has recently implemented significant international travel restrictions and has indicated that these restrictions could be expanded to travel within the United States. It is imperative that you plan appropriately now. The Residence Life staff will assist you with the shipping and return of your personal items, and can also help to identify local storage services. Students who are unable to leave must complete the Office of Residence Life's form for remaining students by March 17.
• We have heard from many graduating students with questions regarding commencement. Our plan to confer degrees and diplomas of graduating students is unchanged. We will be reaching out to the graduating class to ask for their ideas - and their preferences - related to NEC's commencement exercises. Your accomplishment is our greatest joy, and will be appropriately recognized and celebrated by all at NEC.
• The Health and Counseling Center will remain available to students who are unable to leave the residence hall. Students in our community who do not have access to a primary care provider may also visit the Health and Counseling Center. The NEC Health and Counseling Center will remain available to students living on campus and students residing in the community who do not have access to primary care services. Students are encouraged to call 617-585-1284 with questions, or for assistance with prescription refills previously authorized through the HCC.
• Beginning at the end of the day today, Friday, March 13, practice rooms at 33 Gainsborough Street will be closed until further notice. Practice facilities will be available at Jordan Hall. Guests will not be permitted in any NEC building.
• We know that many students with campus jobs have questions about their status. We expect to be in touch with more information shortly. Any students who are experiencing financial difficulties should contact our care team at coronavirus@necmusic.edu.

This has been an extraordinary week on many levels for all of you, and I know that it's been challenging and very emotional.  We are 100% committed to supporting you and your education in these unprecedented times, so will be in regular contact with updated information.  The performances that I have attended this week have been inspiring and reminded us of the importance of our work.
 
Best regards,
 
Tom Novak

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT KALYN
MARCH 11, 2020

NEC TRANSITIONS TO ONLINE TEACHING AND LEARNING

Dear Members of the NEC Community,

For the past several weeks, we have closely followed developments of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), during which time we have undertaken a wide array of steps to ensure the health, wellness, and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and audiences. Our senior leadership team and emergency response team has met daily to ensure the continuity of our core mission—educating the world's most talented musicians and sharing that music with the world more broadly—whilst preparing for every possible contingency.

Given the rapidly-evolving nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, and within the immediate context of recent developments in Massachusetts—including Governor Baker's declaration of a statewide emergency—I write to share with you news of significant changes to the mode in which NEC will operate for the remainder of the spring semester.

• NEC is not shutting down; we are transitioning to a new method of teaching, learning, and working together.  We remain wholeheartedly dedicated to fulfilling our educational purpose and work. In-person classes will continue through Friday, March 13 and we will transition to a mode of online teaching and learning after spring break, using a suite of collaboration tools, including Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, NEO (our online learning software), and Microsoft OneDrive.  We will be in touch very soon with more information and training on these tools, and will work closely with faculty and students to make this transition an effective one. 
• To help our faculty prepare for this transition, we will extend Spring Break for students until Friday, March 27. Provost Novak will be in touch with faculty directly regarding planning, training, and logistics. 
• We strongly encourage students currently living in the residence hall to return home for the remainder of the semester.  Students should plan to remove their belongings by Friday, March 20.  Students not able to leave the residence hall will be permitted to remain, although they should expect curtailed services on campus, including limitations to dining options and access to buildings.  The Office of Residence Life will be in touch with students with more information about these changes.
• All private lessons will move to the online platform by the end of spring break. Ensembles and performances will be suspended for the remainder of the semester, starting Saturday, March 14. Provost Novak will be in touch with faculty and students with regard to the fulfillment of graduation requirements, including recitals and promotionals.
• The campus will remain open until further notice, and we will be in touch with more details about campus operations in the coming days.  Staff should continue to report to work as normal until further notice; vice presidents will be in touch with staff in their areas to clarify obligations and plans.  

In closing, I reiterate my message of March 1: our NEC community is strong, and—whether in-person or online—we will get through this together.  Music knows no boundaries.  The NEC Symphony concert in Jordan Hall this past Monday stands as a powerful example of that: It brought together an enthusiastic internal audience with almost 3,000 live-streamed listeners from across the globe. The next few weeks will inevitably present challenges, but we will face them together, with the same care and creative confidence practiced here daily.  I look forward to our reunion on campus  when we can celebrate in-person the beauty, community, and optimism inherent in making music together.  

Should you have questions or concerns, please feel free to be in touch with our team at coronavirus@necmusic.edu.

Sincerely, 

Andrea Kalyn
President

NEC Health Alert
March 4, 2020

NEC INTRODUCES NEW TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, SELF-quarantine REQUIREMENTS

Dear members of the NEC community,

We are writing today to share with you important new policies related to NEC's planning and response to the evolving global outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). There are no suspected cases of COVID-19 on our campus, and the risk in Greater Boston remains low. 

We appreciate this situation personally affects many of us, and that you may be concerned about friends, family, and loved ones around the world.  It is vital that we support each other, avoid uninformed assumptions, and base decisions on the best information available.  

Suspension of non-essential international travel

Out of an abundance of caution for our community, NEC is suspending all institutionally-sponsored international travel that is not essential, until further notice. This new policy is inclusive of both individual and group travel for students, faculty, and staff. Members of the community with questions regarding existing travel plans should contact travel.safety@necmusic.edu.

If you believe your travel is of essential institutional business, please submit your proposed itinerary for review to travel.safety@necmusic.edu.

Expansion of required self-quarantine period

In an early-February communication, we asked that all members of the NEC community returning from China self-quarantine for a period of 14 days. Effective immediately, we are expanding this requirement to anyone returning from countries designated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as Warning Level 3 (currently China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, and Venezuela). Updated CDC Warning Level guidance can be found on the CDC website.

We are requiring that travelers from these locations not return to campus for a period of 14 days following arrival in the United States, even if they are free of symptoms. During this time, you should not enter campus buildings; attend class, concerts, ensembles, or gatherings in-person; and should not gather with others.

Students who enter self-quarantine should notify the Office of Student Services. Student Services staff will assist you in addressing impacts on your living and learning experience. 

Guests from outside of the NEC community will be required to also adhere to this requirement prior to attending a concert.

Registering your travel

We are asking that everyone register their travels with the NEC Travel Registry prior to departure. This new tool reflects our commitment to supporting members of our community during times of difficulty and distress while away from our campus. 

Information submitted will enable communication with those who may be in affected areas to ensure you are safe. Please note that, while participation in the NEC Travel Registry is important, NEC is limited in its ability to assist travelers with issues of evacuation, immigration and border restrictions, and medical care if they are traveling in affected areas. 

NEC Travel Registry

We also strongly encourage that travelers consider registering with the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), https://step.state.gov/ to receive real time updates on travel advisories in the country where you are traveling.

Spring break travel considerations

If you are planning to travel internationally, we strongly advise that you check travel advisories for all travel locations, including layovers, before, during, and after your return. The development of COVID-19 is dynamic and rapidly changing, so travelers to any region of the world should remain informed about potential risks and avoid areas with active infection. Travelers to regions identified above will be expected to adhere to required self-quarantine policies, as outlined above.

Staying informed

Because the situation could change quickly, those considering travel should also check the following resources in addition to commercial airline websites for updates:

State Department Travel Advisories:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html

CDC Travel Advisories:  https://www.cdc.gov/travel/notices

CDC COVID-19 Page:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Page:  https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Enhanced cleaning procedures

NEC has consulted with public health organizations to inform an enhancement of cleaning and sanitization of surfaces on our campus. We use a highly-effective, EPA-registered disinfectant on surfaces across the campus, including all common areas, classrooms, studios, dining facilities, concert halls, and restrooms. We have also developed procedures for enhanced sanitization of shared instruments, e.g. pianos.

Staying healthy

Regardless of your travel plans, we always recommend that you adhere to the following health safety practices: 

• Frequently clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Cough or sneeze into a flexed elbow or tissue.  Throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands;
• Don’t share drink containers, utensils or other personal use items;
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick or has a fever and cough;
• Do not travel if you are sick.  If you have a fever, cough and/or difficulty breathing, seek medical care.

Thank you for helping to keep our campus healthy.

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT KALYN
MARCH 1, 2020 6:05PM ET

Dear Colleagues,

On Friday, Nick Tatar, Dean of Students, and Leah McKinnon-Howe, Director of Health Services, wrote with information about NEC's ongoing response to the global coronavirus outbreak, which continues to evolve daily. There are no suspected cases of COVID-19 on our campus, but for many of us—and perhaps most especially for those in our community with family and friends in affected regions—the rapidly developing news related to coronavirus may provoke concern, uncertainty, or even fear. 

I write now to assure you that we, as a community, will get through this. As always, your wellness and safety are our first priority, and we will continue to keep you informed in the coming days about the measures we are taking institutionally, as well as those we each can take to support one another. The NEC Health and Counseling Center stands ready to assist anyone in need, and up-to-date information and resources are available at necmusic.edu/health-alert. 

Additionally, we have heard from many students, faculty, and staff who are interested in helping those affected by COVID-19. We are committed to supporting these profound offers of human generosity, and will have more to share in the coming days. 

Thank you for your care, your thoughtfulness, and your support of this very special community, as well as of those far beyond. Courage, compassion, and collaboration are qualities core to NEC’s ethos, and in meeting this particular challenge with the same care and creative confidence each of you demonstrates daily, we can inspire others to do the same.  

As always, please do not hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions or concerns. 

Sincerely,

Andrea Kalyn
President

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