Testing

While a negative COVID-19 test is not required to check in for your program, we strongly encourage all participants to take a COVID-19 test prior to arriving on campus. Additionally, if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, we kindly request that you stay home and prioritize the health and safety of our community.

Students who withdraw for medical reasons may be eligible to receive a prorated adjustment of tuition for their program. To request a medical withdrawal from an on-campus program, the student is required to submit written verification from a doctor that confirms the student couldn't complete the program due to a medical issue. Verifications must be submitted to summer@berklee.edu.

Immunization

While proof of vaccination is no longer required, we strongly recommend all participants receive the full COVID-19 vaccination, including the primary series and a booster dose, for the well-being and safety of our community.

Please see the full list of immunization requirements below:

Recommendations and policies  
for students who may have a respiratory illness

Berklee's recommendations follow the latest guidance from Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the CDC.

Symptom Monitoring

If a student has new symptoms of a respiratory virus, such as a fever, sore throat, cough, or a runny or stuffy nose, the student should abstain from program activities and rest at home or in their residence hall room.

While the student is abstaining from program activities, they are strongly encouraged to:

• inform their roommate(s) and Program Director about their illness.
• get tested for COVID-19 and flu. They can talk with the nurse about getting tested. Testing kits may also be available for purchase at local pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens. Berklee will not reimburse the cost of testing kits.
• notify the program director of their absence (programs other than Aspire) or email fiveweek_attendance@berklee.edu (Aspire) notifying of their absence.
• stay away from others as best as they can, and wear a mask whenever they need to be around others or venture outside of their room.
• wash their hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue or their inner elbow, not their hands.
• clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.

Students should stay home or in their residence hall room even if they don’t know what virus is making them sick. During peak enrollment times as determined by the Director and Associate Director of Summer Programs Student Life, roommates should not change rooms as this risks further spread of the virus. They should monitor their symptoms and rest in place until their symptoms improve.

Testing Positive for Respiratory Virus with No Symptoms:

Students can still spread the virus, and should take additional precautions to protect others from getting sick.

For at least the first 5 days, students are strongly encouraged to take these extra precautions:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime they are indoors around other people.
• Wash their hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze.  Use a tissue or their inner elbow, not their hands.
• Clean high-touch surfaces (such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs) often.
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.
• Choosing to stay home or in their residence hall rooms for about 72 hours may help reduce the chances that they spread the virus to others.
• Students should create a plan for program reintegration with their Program Director.

When Students Start to Feel Better

Students may begin to resume normal activities with precautions if:

1. they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines; AND
2. their other symptoms are improving.

Students should create a plan for program reintegration with their Program Director.

Anyone may still be able to spread the virus that made them sick, even if they are feeling better.

For at least the first 5 days after the student resumes normal activities, they are strongly encouraged to take these extra precautions:

• Wear a mask anytime they are indoors around other people.
• Wash their hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.

Exposure Precautions

If a student has been exposed to someone with a respiratory virus, they do not need to stay home as long as they remain asymptomatic. Students may be able to spread a respiratory virus before developing symptoms.

To protect others, especially those with risk factors for severe illness, students should take these precautions:

• Wash their hands often.
• Consider wearing a mask and avoiding crowded places.
• Monitor themselves for symptoms carefully.
• Stay home if they start to develop any signs of illness.