The Bentley Buzz

As COVID-19 case rates continue to decline across Massachusetts and with the state of emergency lifted as of June 15, workplaces throughout the region are beginning to welcome the workforce back to the office. At Bentley starting today, faculty and staff have the option to return to campus without the approval or special authorization of vice presidents, but should confirm their intentions and schedule with their supervisors. Here are some important guidelines to remember as many begin to return to campus for the first time in over 15 months. 

If you are fully vaccinated (meaning you've had your final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks ago): 

• You won't be required to test each week in the screening testing program. 
• Face coverings will be optional in public spaces and private offices. 
• You can gather across campus at regular occupancy rates.

If you are unvaccinated or haven't yet reached the two-week mark after your final dose, you're required to:

• Participate in the weekly screening test program.
• Continue wearing a face covering indoors.
• Observe six feet of physical distance at all times.
   

Before you return...

If you will be returning in the coming weeks, be mindful of any IT needs you may have as you connect to your office again. Client Services is available to help with this request form.

When you do begin to return to your on-campus work space, be sure to check the Back to Bentley webpages for all the most up-to-date health and safety guidelines! 

What are you most looking forward to?

Though the return to campus will look different for each division and department, many share the same hopeful optimism about being back. "I’m so excited to return to campus," said Senior Benefits Specialist Sandra Smith. "My favorite part of my job is working with and seeing our employees. I’ve truly missed the in-person experience with the Bentley community. I visited campus a couple of weeks ago and as I was walking around, I got to see some Bentley employees and even got to share hugs. I was filled with happiness and joy just being back on campus." 

 

While many are beginning to return, those who have been teaching and working on campus throughout the past year are also looking forward to the coming weeks. "Since I taught on campus last fall ('20) and spring ('21), I had the good fortune of never completely leaving campus," said Associate Professor in Management Marcus Stewart. "But it was not the same without the full complement of students, staff and faculty on campus, the energy just wasn’t there. I am looking forward to the energy, conversations, smiles and waves across the various quads between classes." 

Want to let us know what you're most looking forward to when returning to campus? 

Share it with the Buzz!

Registration is open for Bentley's Third Annual Community Learning Conference! Each year, the Community Learning Conference gives faculty and staff an opportunity to engage with colleagues and learn about topics that impact our community from our own experts.

This year's virtual conference will take place from July 19-21 and will feature more than 20 live sessions focusing on inclusive excellence, positive culture and best self. The conference will kick off on July 19 at 9:15 a.m. with a keynote address from Dr. Laura Morgan Roberts entitled Race, Work, & Leadership: Three Zones of Action for Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice. In her keynote address, Dr. Roberts will highlight the key challenges that racially diverse professionals face in gaining access, authenticity, advancement, authority and accountability for attracting, developing and retaining diverse talent in just and equitable ways, and outlines three ways to create a greater organization-wide understanding and awareness of racial inequalities and why they matter in the workplace.

Make sure to choose your sessions before registration closes on July 13! Click here for conference updates and to learn more.

Register Today

2006-2008 Bentley Men’s Basketball Named to NE10 Hall of Fame
During the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons, Bentley men's basketball was a perfect 54-0 in conference games and finished a combined 66-2, with both losses coming against three-time national finalist Winona State in the Elite Eight. Both seasons led to NE10 tournament championship wins. This impressive streak has earned the team a well-deserved spot in the NE10 Hall of Fame, as announced by the conference this week. 

Field Hockey Players Named NFHCA Scholars of Distinction
Rising seniors Abigail Hewes and Britney Pearson were recently named Division II Scholars of Distinction by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. The Scholars of Distinction program recognizes student-athletes who achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.9 or higher through the first semester of the 2020-21 academic year.

Bentley Swim Teams Recognized by CSCAA for Academic Success
Bentley's men's and women's swimming and diving teams received Scholar All-America Team Awards from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America for their academic performance during the spring term.

Men's Lacrosse Earns Team All-Academic Award
Lacrosse player Kris Campbell was named a Division II Scholar All-American by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Kris and his lacrosse teammates also excelled in the classroom as a team during the 2020-21 academic year, and as a result were one of the programs to earn a Team All-Academic award from the USILA.

Want to share some news or updates with the Bentley community? 

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