Q-Week ends at noon today

February 23, 2021
Cecilia Stuopis, MD, Medical Director, MIT Medical, 2016–2023 | Suzy M. Nelson, Vice President and Dean for Student Life, 2016–2021 |

Dear students.

You really came through yesterday! All on-campus undergraduate house and FSILG pilot residents were tested following the extension of Q-Week on Sunday, and no positive cases were detectedAs a result, we are lifting Q-Week restrictions as of noon today.

Special thanks go to the MIT Medical testing team for coordinating such a big effort, and to the Broad Institute team for processing a total of 6,413 tests, our largest single-day testing volume so far.

To keep COVID at bay as we get further into the spring semester, get on your regular testing cadence (test either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday), attest every day, and follow the residential policies.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Now that the restrictions are lifted, here are some things you can start doing right now:

  1. Form pods. In the fall, 760 students formed 176 pods--groups of up to six students in the same residence who commit to keeping themselves and each other healthy. We heard in the fall that pods made on-campus life a lot more enjoyable. Even if you decide not to participate in the residence hall pod program, please enjoy the events put on by your House team (see #4 below).
  2. Enjoy our campus environs fully. You will be able to spend more time out of your room in the coming days, so please try to get outside for at least 30 minutes a day. Walk along the river, or connect with friends in Killian Court’s designated outdoor gathering areas or in a reservable West Campus space. Bundle up if it is cold.
  3. Exercise with DAPER, in person or virtually. Students permitted to access campus through COVID Pass may use DAPER indoor and outdoor facilities, or try one of their many online classes.
  4. Engage with your community. If you live on campus or in an FSILG pilot house, make the effort to join Zoom gatherings, movie nights, and other activities that can help strengthen your connections to others in your residence and across campus.

However, don’t let up on your health and safety practices: wear a well-fitting face-covering, wash your hands regularly, maintain six feet of distance from others unless you are in a pod together, and stay within your pod or social bubble.

And remember, access to academic and research spaces and in-person learning will start on Monday, March 1.

THANK YOU!

Working together, we can make this spring semester go smoothly and safely for ourselves, each other, and the MIT community. Thank you again!

Sincerely,

Cecilia Stuopis, MD 
Medical Director, MIT Medical

Suzy Nelson 
Vice President and Dean for Student Life