Important clarifications and updates re: MIT’s Omicron COVID-19 policies (for undergraduate students)

Dear students,

We have received several questions since writing to undergraduate students last week regarding MIT’s Omicron COVID-19 policies. Below, please find important clarifications and updates.

1. Changes to IAP subjects: Instructors are developing and announcing changes to IAP subjects as quickly as they can to better support academic continuity for students who may have to isolate due to COVID-19. Please watch for changes to the online subject listings and/or reach out to the instructor if you have questions about a particular subject.
2. Undergraduates must complete the IAP Plans Registry no later than today, Monday, December 27: All undergraduates must complete the IAP Plans Registry by today, even if your plans are tentative. Please note this is not an application, and you can update your responses if your plans change. The registry reiterates important policy changes that you must be aware of, including the fact that, if your roommate tests positive for COVID-19 and you are negative, you may, based on availability, be offered the option to move out while your roommate isolates-in-place for ten days.
3. Pre-arrival testing for undergraduate students: All undergraduate students who live in an MIT residence hall or FSILG and who have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, are required to test before returning to campus for either IAP or the spring semester. Please follow the instructions emailed to you last week from MIT Medical at medical@mit.edu. If you test positive on your pre-arrival test, do not come to campus. You must complete your isolation period from your off-campus location.
4. “Quiet period” for undergraduate students who return to campus for IAP: If your pre-arrival COVID-19 test is negative, you may participate in IAP classes, MIT-managed activities, and Institute events as soon as you return to campus. You may also take care of other essential needs like getting food or cooking for yourself, getting packages or deliveries from your residence’s designated drop-off spot, and exercising. We are, however, asking that undergraduate students avoid student-led events and gatherings and wear masks at all times when outside your room while waiting for your two negative on-campus test results (one upon arrival to campus and one 3-4 days later). This “quiet period” with respect to student-led gatherings will help minimize disruptions to IAP.
5. MIT Medical booster clinics set for January 3 and January 4, 2022: The Institute requires that MIT community members who are eligible for a booster shot receive their shot by January 14, 2022. If you have already gotten your booster shot, be sure to upload proof before the deadline. If you haven’t already, please get your booster as soon as possible. You can also sign up for MIT Medical booster clinics on January 3 and January 4 by visiting the booster shot scheduling site.
6. Food/drink policy for MIT-sponsored events on and off-campus: We have changed this policy further due to clusters of cases stemming from events where food and drinks were served and as many as 75% of attendees tested positive for COVID-19. Until further notice, serving or consuming food and/or drink at all MIT-sponsored events is prohibited, including grab-and-go service.
7. Until further notice, spectators at on-campus indoor athletic events will be limited to COVID Pass users only.
8. Changes to contact tracing and notification systems: If you test positive for COVID-19, you must immediately complete a form sent to you from the MIT Atlas app in order for MIT Medical’s contact tracing team to determine next steps.  Automatic notifications to relevant advisors, instructors, supervisors, and/or academic leaders are no longer being made. This means that you will need to proactively reach out to your advisors or instructors to let them know about your situation. If you test positive for COVID-19 while away from MIT, attest to symptoms in COVID Pass and then fill out the form mentioned above.

At any time if you have questions, please reach out to covidapps-help@mit.edu. The Covid Service Desk will be staffed over the winter break.

We hope these clarifications and updates are useful. And we hope that you continue to enjoy your winter break.

Cecilia Stuopis, MD,
Medical Director, MIT Medical

Suzy M. Nelson
Vice Chancellor and Dean for Student Life

Ian A. Waitz
Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education