Campus Wide

In order to open the campus, the state will require all colleges and universities to institute and maintain a wide-ranging set of safety protocols and behavioral standards that may include, but not be limited to, such things as:

• Wearing masks at all times when on campus and outside of residence hall rooms.
• Maintaining a physical distance of six or more feet whenever possible, but especially when sharing enclosed spaces with others.
• Extensive testing for the virus and retesting when someone exhibits symptoms, or has had contact with another person who has tested positive. Many people are likely to be tested multiple times.
• Contact tracing will help determine who an individual came into contact with if he or she tests positive.
• Isolating on campus or at home for those who test positive or become ill.
• Quarantining those who are exposed to someone who tests positive.
• In order to reduce density and maintain safe physical distancing, students, faculty and staff may be assigned times when they can enjoy meals in the dining hall or Lasell may provide take out options only.
• Reducing the number of course sections, requiring some students to switch to a different section or course.
• Maintaining physical distancing in classrooms by reducing the occupancy limits of many classrooms. For some classes that may mean subsets of students may attend on separate days or at different times, with the balance of the course delivered online.
• Requiring students to take some or all classes online even if they are living on campus. Students in residence are likely to be in courses taught in a variety of ways: in person, online, and hybrid.  

Graduate Resident Students 

• Reducing density in the residence halls, which will require some students' rooms to be reassigned.
• Limited access to common areas in Residential Halls. Lounges, kitchen and laundry access will be regulated to maintain safe physical distancing.
• Limited access to all public spaces such as exercise rooms, Arnow, Glow Lounge, STC lobby, etc.
• Prohibiting visitors on campus, except for family members at designated times. 

Commuter and Online Graduate Students 

• GPS Students are expected to adhere to the protocols on campus and follow the same guidelines as they travel on public transportation, interact with family members, and interact with employers and co-workers at their jobs and internships.
• Commuters including online students will likely come to campus less often, because some courses that required on-campus sessions will be offered online.
• Restrictions regarding the length of time in the library or in other campus facilities may be put in place.
• Commuters and Online students may be asked to self-administer a health checklist before coming to campus and should remain home at any sign of illness.
• Students' access to the dining facilities will likely be restricted to assigned times or take out only. 

Despite the best of efforts, no college or university can guarantee that every person will maintain the discipline of the established protocols and behavioral guidelines. We ask for your cooperation, your diligence and your commitment to the safety and well-being of the Lasell community. Updates regarding the start of the fall semester will be communicated to your Lasell email address. 

New and Incoming International Students

As of July 24, 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requires any new, incoming student seeking an F-1 visa to be enrolled in at least 3 credits (1 course) in hybrid or face-to-face format. Based upon this policy, we are encouraging incoming international students to register for 2 hybrid/on-campus courses in case of any future change. 

Students currently studying on an F-1 visa who are in the United States and will be transferring their I-20 to Lasell University, may take online coursework. Students who wish to start their program online from a remote location, will not be permitted to enter the United States on an F-1 visa. 

If this policy should change, an update will be given by Maria Adkins, Director of International Student Services to your Lasell University email.  If you have questions, contact your Enrollment Counselor at gradinfo@lasell.edu or by text message at 617-243-2400. 

Returning International Students

International students currently in the United States who are enrolled in a degree program are allowed to take completely online courses and stay in the United States without implications to their F-1 student visa. Students considering leaving the United States during their degree program should contact Maria Adkins, Director of International Student Services at madkins@lasell.edu to discuss possible implications to your immigration status.

The most up-to-date version of the FA 2020 Graduate Course Schedule including details regarding course format is posted on MyLasell.  Any changes made to the course schedule or delivery format of a scheduled course will be immediately updated on MyLasell and communicated to students via Lasell email.

Online Courses 

• Programs instructed 100% online will continue to offer courses in 8-week sessions.
• Business, Communication, and Education students should review the details of their online course to determine if there are synchronous sessions required. 

Hybrid Courses

• Hybrid courses with face-to-face on campus sessions will be held in a classroom designed to meet social distancing guidelines and accommodate the number of students registered in the course.
• If your hybrid course is changed to an online format, the start and end date of the course will not be changed. ·     
• Some hybrid courses that have changed to an online format will require synchronous sessions meaning that you must log into your course at a set time for face-to-face sessions with your instructor and classmates.

Internships, Practicums, Clinicals and Capstone Experiences

• Students registered to complete their Capstone in fall should review the Capstone Guidelines for their program which can be found in the Graduate and Professional Studies section of MyLasell.
• If you plan to complete an internship, be mindful that opportunities may be limited and it may take longer to secure a position due to COVID-19.  Students who need help finding an internship should contact their academic advisor or graduate program coordinator.
• Licensure programs such as the Master of Education and Master of Athletic Training programs have strict practicum and clinical guidelines that may require in person hours.

How will the University keep me up to date with all information regarding COVID-19 and Lasell?

Lasell will provide updates to this page and communicate with you using Lasell email and Facebook Live chats.     

I am an international student. Do I have to take classes on campus this Fall semester? Should I try to travel to the U.S.?

Returning students may study online, new students must take at least 1 hybrid course. All students must take 9 credits (3 classes). If you wish to remain in your home country to study, please contact madkins@lasell.edu. Please see the section above regarding International students for more detail. 

I need help selecting courses and registering.  Who should I contact? 

• New graduate students should contact their Enrollment Counselor at gradinfo@lasell.edu or text 617-243-2214.
• Continuing graduate students should contact their Academic Advisor at gradprofstudies@lasell.edu or call 617-243- 2132.  

Will my advisor be accessible for appointments?

Yes!  Your advisor will be accessible via phone, email, and zoom.  You can email your advisor directly or request an appointment using Starfish.  If you cannot reach your advisor or are not sure who your advisor is, you should email gradprofstudies@lasell.edu.  

How do I find the name and contact information of my Academic Advisor?

To find the name of your advisor, visit MyLasell and log into Self-Service. Your advisor's name and email address are located on your profile. 

If I am an online graduate student, will I be allowed on campus? 

Visits to campus will be restricted to graduate resident students and those given permission to visit by GPS staff. We strongly encourage graduate students to utilize services remotely. Faculty, staff, and key departments such as Student Accounts and Financial Aid are available for phone and zoom appointments.

 What online student services are available to me?

• Graduate students have access to a wide range of services including:
• Tutor.com
• Academic Achievement Center
• Academic Advising
• Library
• Reference Librarian
• Career Development and Services
• 24/7 IT Support 

Does Lasell offer mental health counseling to graduate students?

Currently, Lasell University offers mental health counseling appointments to resident graduate students (those who live on campus). However, we never want you to feel alone. Please reach out to your academic advisor anytime. 

I am taking a hybrid course.  How many students will be allowed in the classroom?

All classrooms are set according to social distancing guidelines and will be assigned to accommodate class size.     

Is it too late to live on campus?

Space is available for graduate students in need of housing. For more information, complete the inquiry form or contact gradinfo@lasell.edu or 617-243-2400.  

I am unemployed and need help with my job search, is career help available?

The Career Development team is eager to support graduate students via email, phone, or zoom.  You can make an appointment by contacting Donnell Turner, director of the Center for Career Readiness and Internships at dturner@lasell.edu.

Are graduate students eligible for CARES Act money? 

Yes, graduate students who incur additional expenses due to on-campus/hybrid courses being changed to online are eligible to apply. To learn more contact the Office of Student Financial Planning at finaid@lasell.edu or visit CARES Act. 

My laptop just stopped working! Does the Library have a loaner I can borrow?

The library has a limited number of laptops and iPads for students to borrow. Please contact asarneso@lasell.edu to discuss options.