Updated Travel Restrictions and Campus Measures

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As more information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) becomes available each day, we continue to monitor and follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control as well as those from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to ensure the health and safety of the Bentley community. In light of the continued spread of COVID-19, we have new university policies that apply to all faculty, staff and students.

Effective immediately, we are suspending all international business travel on behalf of the university through the month of March.

• The university also recommends that faculty, staff and students avoid non-essential personal international travel through the end of March.
• If you are planning personal international travel anywhere in the world, please notify your vice president or your dean.
• This travel suspension was recommended by Governor Charlie Baker on March 4.

Effective immediately, the university will strictly require all faculty, staff and students returning from a Level 2 or 3 travel advisory country to self-quarantine off-campus for 14 days following the trip, even if symptom-free. You are not to return to Bentley until this period is over.

• Level 2 and 3 countries currently include China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan. Please note that this list may change, and we recommend you review the CDC travel notices daily for updates.
• We request that you study or work from home during the 14 days as your health permits. The university has technology and online capabilities to ensure that classes and work can progress remotely.
• Please notify your supervisor, department chair or dean if you are not able to return to campus.
• Self-quarantine means you must remain at your residence. Do not attend class, work or group gatherings, and do not invite people over.

In addition to these travel policies, we are increasing cleaning protocols on campus, using products that both sanitize and disinfect surfaces. Facilities Management has increased cleaning efforts in high-usage areas such as bathrooms, classrooms, the Dana Center and our dining facilities, and our on-campus food service provider, Sodexo, will continue to maintain the highest sanitation standards. As always, we encourage hand-washing as the best defense for self-protection and good health.

As recommended by Governor Baker earlier this week, the university is preparing for a broad range of scenarios and possibilities in the weeks ahead. This could include closing the campus, requiring staff to work from home and faculty to instruct their courses remotely. While there is no evidence that this will be necessary as the risk in Massachusetts remains low, we are taking all precautions to remain prepared as the situation develops. For now, no decision has been made to enact a remote work policy and employees should continue to follow Bentley’s flexible work arrangements policy.

We know that some people may be affected by these travel restrictions and other measures and thank you in advance for understanding. If you have any questions, please ask your supervisor or visit the web page we’ve created, bentley.edu/coronavirus, where we will continue to provide new information as it becomes available. The health and safety of the entire Bentley community remains the university’s top priority.

The Bentley University Cabinet

Alison Davis-Blake
Donna Maria Blancero
Josh Brand
George Cangiano
Carolina Figueroa
Maureen Flores
Maureen Forrester
Christopher Joyce
Amanda King
Judy Malone
Andrew Shepardson
Bob Wittstein

For any questions regarding the above policies, staff should contact David Hatch in Human Resources and faculty should contact their dean.

Staff Contact:
David Hatch
Associate Director, Consultancy Services, Human Resources

Faculty Contacts:
Michael Johnson-Cramer
Dean of Business and the McCallum School of Business

Rick Oches
Dean of Arts and Sciences