Frequently Asked Questions

The information on this page is being updated frequently. Please check back often.

Last updated May 21, 2020

New Haven and Connecticut

What local policies and recommendations are in place? (Updated March 25, 2020)

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker has asked residents to leave their homes only for groceries, medical supplies, or other essentials. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has closed restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and gyms, and ordered all businesses and nonprofits to institute telecommuting practices to the maximum extent possible. For more details and regular updates, please monitor the New Haven and Connecticut COVID-19 sites

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Residential Colleges

Will the residential colleges be open to students remaining in New Haven? (Updated March 18, 2020)

Only students with permission to remain in their dorm rooms will have access to the colleges. Common spaces and program spaces in colleges (butteries, gyms, libraries, music rooms, theaters, etc.) will be off-limits even for those students.

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Are there guidelines for those students remaining in the residential colleges? (Updated March 25, 2020)

Yes. They are being asked to follow social distancing guidelines, and may not admit visitors to the residential college. For more details, please see the Guidelines for Students Remaining on Campus (PDF).

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Can I still access my room? (Updated March 16, 2020)

The residential colleges are now red-lit (locked) for all students, with the exception of a small number of students who have explicit permission to remain during the remote learning period. Those students must be registered with their head of college.

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May I return to campus to pick up my belongings? (Updated March 16, 2020)

No. A national emergency has been declared in the United States. Public health experts recommend physical distancing and avoiding all non-essential travel. We recognize this change of policy creates challenges, but we must respond to the national public health crisis.

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I filled out the Essential Items Survey. When will I get the items I requested? (New March 23, 2020)

The project of retrieving essential items is well underway. If you made your request by the March 18 deadline, you will receive a confirmation email with tracking information from Dorm Room Movers; your items will follow. If you submitted your survey after that deadline, we may not have been able to incorporate your request.

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One of my essential items was a musical instrument. Why haven’t I gotten that? (New March 25, 2020)

Some musical instruments were set aside for specialized packing and shipment. We were preparing to do this when Governor Ned Lamont halted all non-essential in-person work in the State. Unfortunately, we will not be able to proceed with the return of those items until after that order has been lifted.

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I didn’t fill out the Essential Items Survey. Can I do so now? (New March 23, 2020)

Unfortunately, we cannot accept new retrieval requests at this time. With the likelihood of shelter-in-place orders and other restrictions, such work is becoming increasingly difficult. If becomes possible to do a second round of retrievals, we will let students know.

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How will I retrieve my other belongings? (Updated March 23, 2020)

We are still working on arrangements for retrieval, storage, and shipping of student possessions. Given the rapidly changing situation, these plans are taking some time. Please be patient. We will be in communication with all students who were living on campus as soon as we have details to share.

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Will my personal items be moved while I am away? (Updated March 23, 2020)

At this time, most students’ personal belongings will not be moved. In the event an area is identified that needs to be freed up for other public health needs, the student/s who occupy that space will be contacted to advise of the necessary measures being put into place to move/store belongings. This has already happened in some rooms—see the “Dorm Room Packing” section below.

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I left my prescription medication behind. What should I do? (New March 15, 2020)

Please see I need a prescription refill from the Yale Health Pharmacy. Can I get this remotely? for details on refilling or renewing your prescription, which can be done very quickly.

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Dorm Room Packing

I’ve heard that some student rooms have been or are being packed up. Who is affected? (Updated April 7, 2020)

Several hundred students have had their rooms packed, or will soon. Those students have each gotten an email from either Dean Chun or Dean Lizarríbar to explain what was happening. If you did not receive such an email, your suite was not affected.

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Why did this happen? (Updated April 7, 2020)

As Yale and New Haven work to respond to the virus, the undergraduate rooms offer an opportunity to help with social distancing. Some rooms have been cleared to make space for graduate and professional students, who had been in very tight quarters. Many more are being used to house front-line responders who cannot safely go home to their families.

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Were students allowed to opt out if they didn’t want their belongings to be packed?

No. We understand that some students were unhappy, but this was a necessary step for community public health.

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Who did the packing? Where are things being stored?

We worked with Dorm Room Movers, who packed all items with care using industry best practices. The items are now being stored in a secure temperature controlled commercial warehouse in West Haven CT. Each box and unboxed item has been labelled with a bar code and inventoried, so that it can be tracked to the correct students and rooms.

You can reach Dorm Room Movers at support@dormroommovers.com.

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My room or common room was packed. Can I get a few items sent to me?

If you requested those items on the Essential Items Survey in mid-March, they have already been retrieved and sent to you. If you did not make the request then, it is unfortunately too late; since your belongings have been packed and stored already, we can no longer retrieve specific items.

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My individual room was packed. How will I get my stuff? (Updated April 7, 2020)

You have three choices:

• You can leave your items in storage until they can be returned to campus. At that point, you can work with Dorm Room Movers to schedule their delivery to your new rooms.
• You can have your items shipped to you via UPS, at no cost to you. Some items that cannot be boxed, such as furniture, may not be able to be shipped; those will be returned to campus as above.
• You can work directly with Dorm Room Movers to coordinate a pick-up from the storage space in West Haven.

You can choose any of these options, at no cost to you or your suitemates. You should soon have information directly from Dorm Room Movers, which will enable you to log into your account, see the inventory of your boxed and unboxed items, and coordinate shipping or pick-up if you wish.

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My bedroom was a shared double. How can my roommate and I retrieve our items? (New April 7, 2020)

We tried to avoid packing doubles, but could not do so altogether. There was no time to communicate with students to distinguish among their possessions, so items in doubles were all packed together. Unfortunately, they cannot be separated at this point.

You will need to work with your roommate to decide how to proceed.

• You can leave your items in storage until they can be returned to campus. At that point, we will find an appropriate location for you and your suitemates to receive them together.
• If you both agree, the items can be picked up by or shipped to one of you. The person who will be getting the items should write to student.affairs@yale.edu with a cc to the roommate; the office of student affairs can then arrange to give you access to the Dorm Room Movers account for those common belongings.

You can choose either of these options, at no cost to you.

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Our common room was packed. How can we retrieve those items? (Updated April 7, 2020)

Given the urgency of the situation, common room items were packed together. They cannot be separated at this point. 

You will need to work with your suitemates to decide how to proceed.

• You can leave your items in storage until they can be returned to campus. At that point, we will find an appropriate location for you and your suitemates to receive them together.
• If all members of the suite agree, the items can be picked up by or shipped to one of you. Talk to your suitemates if this is what you want to do. Once you have settled on a plan, the person who will be getting the items should write to student.affairs@yale.edu with a cc to the whole suite; the office of student affairs can then arrange to give you access to the Dorm Room Movers account for those common belongings.

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What happened to items in our bathroom? (New April 7, 2020)

If you had a single with an individual bathroom, those items were packed with your bedroom stuff. For most students, the bathroom items were packed with the common room items. Open items (shampoo, soap, etc.) had to be discarded.

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What do I do if I discover damaged or missing items when I unpack my boxes?

Any issues should be reported to the Dorm Room Movers' customer service team at support@dormroommovers.com within 10 days of receipt of your items. All student items are insured.

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Students Living Off-Campus

I live off-campus. Can I stay there, or do I need to go home too? (Updated March 18, 2020)

You have the option to remain in your off-campus housing, but we recommend that you go home if that is possible. Off-campus social life also poses a risk of contagion. In addition, almost all campus events will be postponed or moved online.
If you have not already done so, please fill out the Off-Campus Student Survey to let the YCDO know whether or not you are still here.

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When should I move out of my off-campus housing, if I am going to do so? (Updated March 18, 2020)

This will depend on your lease and on your own personal circumstances. But do not expect to be able to engage in work or other activities on campus during the remote learning period.

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I have left campus, but I still have a lease. Can Yale help me get out of it? (New March 25, 2020)

Your lease is a private contract between you and your landlord. You may possibly be able to renegotiate the terms, under these circumstances, but this isn’t an area where Yale can help.

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My friend who lives on-campus just received a credit for housing. Will Yale provide me with additional assistance with my rent during the rest of the semester? (New March 25, 2020)

No. If you received financial aid for the spring semester, your estimated housing cost was already factored into your financial aid and awarded to you at the start of the spring semester. This support is intended to cover the entire semester. We are not able to provide any additional assistance with off-campus rent or housing contracts.

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Insurance/Health

Is Yale Health still open? Can I continue with my care there? (New March 29, 2020)

Yale Health is open. Preventive and some elective visits have been postponed for the time being. However, we continue to provide appointments for those who need them. While some patients may be seen at the 55 Lock Street facility, many appointments have been converted to telephone visits, and we schedule these as an alternative to in-person encounters when possible. Please call Student Health if you would like to schedule an appointment, so that we can determine whether an in-person encounter or telephone visit is most appropriate. Do not hesitate to tell us if you need a visit.

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Can I use my Yale Health insurance remotely? (Updated April 1, 2020)

Yes, if you have Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care coverage you can use it as explained below.

• Urgent and emergency care, as defined in the Student Handbook and including COVID-19 care, continues to be covered worldwide.
• Yale Health is temporarily expanding coverage for visits with non-Yale Health providers for non-emergent, medically necessary care. This provision would include coverage for medically necessary care for newly acquired medical conditions, as well as for chronic conditions and prenatal and labor and delivery care. Prior to booking an appointment, you must:
  1. Contact Student Health at 203-432-0312 for guidance regarding whether the care you are requesting falls under the expansion of coverage. If possible, have the name of the outside provider, facility address, phone and fax number on hand.
  2. Wait for approval from our Referrals Department before booking an appointment.
     • Coverage is not guaranteed, based on the terms of your Yale Health Plan contract as well as determination of medical necessity and time sensitivity.
     • Final decision about coverage is made after the visit when we have documentation from your healthcare provider.
     • Do not assume that any visits/studies/equipment prescribed by your outside provider are subsequently covered. You must call Student Health to discuss these recommendations and allow us to determine whether they are medically necessary and time sensitive.

• Preventative and elective visits with non-Yale Health providers are not covered. If you are unclear as to how preventative or elective is defined, or feel such care is medically necessary and cannot be postponed, call Student Health.
• International students, please contact Student Health with any questions.
• For fuller information, please refer to the "COVID-19 Health Care for Students Away From Campus" announcement, which you can find on the Yale Health Student Coverage page

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If I already had an appointment, study, or procedure set up at Yale Health, can I assume it will be covered if I book a similar appointment remotely? (New March 29, 2020)

No. Many appointments, studies and procedures may be appropriate to defer, so you must contact Student Health at 203-432-0312 to determine whether you should seek follow-up care away from Yale.

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I have other insurance. Can I use this instead of my Yale Health Insurance? (New March 29, 2020)

• In all cases, you should give providers all of your insurance coverage information to allow determination of which plan is primary.
• If Yale Health is your primary insurance, we will make the first determination about coverage.
• If Yale Health is primary but we deny coverage for a given service, you can explore coverage through your other insurance.

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Why don’t you talk to my parents about my care? (New March 29, 2020)

Two federal laws govern privacy of student health information. The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulate communication of private health information to ensure your privacy. You can designate another person to receive your protected health information or to ask questions on your behalf, but you must give written permission, with a Designation of Patient Spokesperson form (PDF). For more information, call Yale’s Health Information Management Department at 203-432-0062.

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Can I still access Mental Health and Counseling Services? (New March 29, 2020)

• If you are currently receiving care from Yale Health Mental Health and Counseling, please contact your clinician at 203-432-0290 to develop a plan for care while you are away from campus.
• If you are not receiving care from a clinician at Yale Health Mental Health and Counseling, please contact Mental Health and Counseling at 203-432-0290 for advice and options.

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How can I obtain my Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage member ID card? (New March 29, 2020)

Yale Health offers a self-service option for getting a copy of your member ID card.

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What about my medications if I have Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Coverage? (Updated March 29, 2020)

• To ensure an adequate supply of medication, the Yale Health Pharmacy will authorize early medication refills for most maintenance medications (excluding controlled substances). If you have less than 50 days of your medication on hand, call the Pharmacy at 203-432-0033.
• We recommend using Magellan Rx Home for mail delivery of your maintenance medications. Magellan will apply your benefit automatically so there will be no need for a claim form. You will pay only your copayment for your prescription.
• To avoid unnecessary trips to the Yale Health facility, we will temporarily modify our reimbursement practices for use of non-Yale Health pharmacies. From now through July 31, 2020, you can fill your prescriptions at any pharmacy, pay for them at the time of service, and then complete a claim form (PDF) to receive reimbursement for the cost of the medication less your regular copayment.

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Other Issues Connected to Having Left Campus

How do I forward my mail? (New March 18, 2020)

You will need to fill out a mail forwarding form available on the USPS website.

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I have library materials, including interlibrary loan and BorrowDirect materials, that I may not be able to return on time. What should I do? (New March 14, 2020)

The library will be waiving all fines for these items. Renew items through the GetIt@Yale page (login required) or email borrowdirect@yale.edu. Please do not mail back materials at this time.

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I have rented textbooks from the Yale Bookstore that I may not be able to return on time. What should I do? (New March 14, 2020)

The Yale Bookstore will extend the required check in dates for the current semester. You will receive more detailed communications directly from them in the coming days.

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Travel

Can I travel on a Yale-related trip? (Updated March 14, 2020)

No. On March 11th we made changes to our previously announced travel restrictions. University-sponsored Yale College travel is now prohibited domestically and internationally. These restrictions apply until further notice.

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What about personal travel? (Updated March 14, 2020)

For personal international travel, we urge you to reconsider your travel choices and avoid traveling if possible. For personal domestic travel, please consider your decisions carefully. You should assess the situation in your location and heed instructions from government authorities. Avoid traveling if your agenda includes participation in conferences or other large gatherings. Yale College students who are traveling should go home at the end of their trips; they should not return to campus.

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My personal travel is essential. What precautions should I take? (Updated March 14, 2020)

If you must travel, review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel notices and Yale Health guidance. Most importantly, if you are traveling to any country or region on the CDC Warning Level 3 list, complete this registration form and self-monitor and self-isolate for 14 days after you return using these guidelines.

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I’m currently traveling. Should I leave? (Updated March 14, 2020)

This will depend where you are, given the rapidly evolving global and national situation. Review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel notices and Yale Health guidance. As mentioned above, if you are currently in any country or region on the CDC warning Level 3 list, complete this registration form and self-monitor and self-isolate for 14 days after you return using these guidelines. In light of travel restrictions from Europe, if European students have questions, they should contact the Office of International Students and Scholars. Yale College students who are traveling should return home, and not to campus, at the end of their trip.

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What is University sponsored travel? (Updated March 14, 2020)

Travel is considered university-sponsored if it draws on a university-administered funding source. Besides activities related to academic endeavors, research, or other professional activities, it includes study abroad, student organization travel, internships, athletics trips or other similar trips.

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I am an international student. How should I handle visas and other issues? (New March 18, 2020)

For questions pertaining to VISAs and other international student related questions, please visit the OISS website.

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I was expecting to use summer funding/fellowship sponsored by Yale. Will that be cancelled? (New March 18, 2020)

It is too soon to predict what will happen this summer. The Fellowships Office and other grant administrators are actively assessing the situation and will be in communication with you as soon as they have information to share. It is advisable, however, to have a fully-developed Plan B in place for the summer in case you are unable to use your fellowship. Fellowships advisers are available for online advising for the rest of the semester and during the summer – feel free to book an appointment with them or email fellowships@yale.edu.

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Finances for Students

How can I sustain my income if I cannot be on campus to work at my campus job? (Updated March 20, 2020)

We are committed to helping students maintain their student job income. You should be in communication with your supervisor about how this will happen. Many work study jobs can be performed remotely. For those jobs that cannot be performed remotely, we are instructing supervisors to pay students in line with their hours across the term before spring break.

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Will there be help for low income students who cannot afford travel expenses to return home?

Support will be provided for all students on financial aid. Please contact your Head of College Office. Reimbursement is available for students on financial aid who have already booked their own travel to return home based on University Covid-19 guidance.

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I lived on campus and/or had a dining plan. Will I get a refund, now that I’ve left campus? (Updated March 27, 2020)

Yes, we have applied a credit to your student account for unused portions of room and meal plans. You may view your student account via YalePay. If you have a credit on your student account, you may set up direct deposit and request a refund through your SIS portal. If you are on financial aid and have any questions, please contact the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office.

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What if I already bought a ticket to return to campus at the end of Spring Break? (Updated March 19, 2020)

Students should contact the airline and request a full reimbursement. If a full reimbursement cannot be given, request a credit that then can be used for the next trip to campus. Students on financial aid who are unable to secure a reimbursement or credit may request one through SafetyNet with appropriate receipts and documentation.

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I have financial concerns about the technology necessary for online learning. Where should I turn? (New March 20, 2020)

Visit the Financial Resources for Technology page for information on free and subsidized internet options, computing equipment, and software.

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Academic Support

Where can I get more information about remote learning? (Updated March 27, 2020)

The Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning has created an Academic Continuity site with extensive resources for online learning. It’s worth exploring the whole site.

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I need assistance with technology. What should I do? (Updated March 27, 2020)

Please visit the Self-Help and Support and How-To Guides pages of the Academic Continuity site, which links out to instructions and trouble-shooting guides issues for Canvas, Zoom, VPN, and other now-essential online tools. You can also find information on IT’s Student Technology Help page.

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What should I do regarding online classes if I do not have an internet connection where I am? (Updated March 27, 2020)

We are in discussion with instructors to accommodate participation by phone or to find ways to ensure credit for off-line participation for those students in areas without internet access. If the obstacles are financial, please see “I have financial concerns about the technology necessary for online learning. Where should I turn?”

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I’m having trouble focusing on my work. What should I do? (New March 27, 2020)

First, know that Dean Chun has put many academic accommodations into place; there is a whole section of these FAQs devoted to that. In addition, you should look at the Suggestions for Effective Remote Learning on the Academic Continuity site, which offers a range of strategies for adapting to remote work in this challenging time.

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Are tutors and academic strategies mentors still available? (New March 27, 2020)

Yes, and now is a great time to make use of these resources! You can find full details on the Undergraduate Tutoring and Academic Strategies page of the Academic Continuity site.

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Who can help me access textbooks and other course materials? (New March 27, 2020)

The Yale Library has been working closely with publishers to make a great deal of information available online. The Academic Continuity site’s page on Library Resources can help you identify and access those materials, including many textbooks temporarily available for free online.

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I am in a course supported by Undergraduate Learning Assistants. Will they still be available? (Updated March 27, 2020)

Most ULAs are able to work remotely. Consult with your instructor if you have not already gotten clarification for your course.

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Can I still get support from my head or dean? (Updated March 27, 2020)

Yes. The heads and deans, along with the rest of the residential college staff, are all working remotely. Email them for an appointment.

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Will course-based tutoring continue to be available?

Yes, unless you hear otherwise from your instructor.

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What do I do if I have a lab class that no longer meets in the lab? (Updated March 27, 2020)

We have been working closely with faculty members who oversee lab classes to devise alternative ways for students to complete the requirements remotely. We recognize that this may not be possible in some cases, and faculty are working on alternative arrangements. Please check with your instructor.

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If I am pursuing a dual degree (B.A./M.A. or B.S./M.S), will I be permitted to continue any required research?

These questions should be directed to your instructors and the professional school in which you are receiving your Master’s degree.

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What if I have a disability that affords me extra time or support during this period of courses being moved online? (Updated March 27, 2020)

Visit the Student Accessibility Services site for their guidance and support in continuing accommodations under these new circumstances.

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What if I am studying abroad?

Please consult the Yale Study Abroad COVID-19 site for detailed information.

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I have relocated to a very different time zone. Will I have to attend class in the middle of the night? (Updated March 18, 2020)

To avoid creating new conflicts, we need to honor the existing spring term schedule in Eastern Daylight Time. However, we understand that this will be a challenge for students in different time zones, so the faculty are discussing different ways to accommodate these difficulties. Some courses will be able to work around time zone differences – for example, by recording lectures and allowing you to watch them later (what people refer to as “asynchronous” learning).

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Academic Matters

What kind of academic accommodations may I receive in Spring 2020 for Credit/D/Fail grading and course withdrawals? (Updated April 15, 2020)

For this term only, the following accommodations have been put into place in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic that has caused unprecedented disruptions.

Universal Pass/Fail (Updated April 15, 2020)

• For the spring term of 2020, Yale College will adopt a policy of universal Pass/Fail. This applies to all courses, including graduate and professional school classes. Transcripts will carry an explanatory note.
• Instructors have the option to provide narrative commendations. In these cases, the student will receive an email notification with a prompt to log in to SIS to view the commendation.
• Letter grades assigned for first-half courses will remain on the transcript.
• Two term senior essays will be graded as follows:
  1. If you already received a letter grade for the first term of your senior essay, that grade will remain on your transcript.
  2. If you received a grade of SAT or NSAT for the first term of your senior essay, you would ordinarily get the same grade—in this case, either Pass or Fail—for both halves of the course. Given the circumstances, this year instructors have the option to report a letter grade for the fall term, should they feel this is appropriate, and then either Pass or Fail for the spring term.
• If you have already completed sufficient work in a course to earn a Pass, you may be allowed to do so even if you cannot take the course to completion. You will need the permission of your instructor and the DUS. If you wish to consider this option, please consult directly with your instructor.

Course Withdrawals—and their consequences (Updated April 1, 2020)

• The deadline for course withdrawals without a W has been extended from the midterm deadline to 5:00 p.m. on May 6, 2020, the last day of finals. If you need a W to maintain full-time enrollment, which is required of all students, this will be accommodated; please communicate this to your residential college dean. (Full-time enrollment in Yale College for Spring 2020 is minimally two course credits that carry a mark of Pass or Fail, and one course credit with a W.)
• If you withdrew from a course earlier this term but now want to reverse that withdrawal, you may be able to do so.
  • Begin by communicating with your instructor. Find out your current standing in the course, what you have missed, and whether or not it will be possible for you to make up that missed work.
  • Then, if you still wish to re-add the course, inform your residential college dean, who will guide you through the necessary steps. (Note: if you withdrew before March 2, the instructor may decide it is no longer possible for you to be successful in the course, and may therefore decline to re-add you.)
• If you are a senior with a course credit deficiency resulting from a post-midterm course withdrawal, we will attempt to bring your credit total to the needed 36. If you have acceleration credits, we will activate them. Similarly, if you have eligible outside course credits, even if they exceed the usual limits, we will activate them if that is necessary to reach 36 credits. [Note: If the outside credits are needed for major requirements, the DUS will have to agree to this exception.] 
• If you have a course credit deficiency resulting from a post-midterm course withdrawal but are not a senior, you will be promoted to the next year’s standing despite the deficit as long as you are otherwise in good standing.
• If you are not a senior and decide to withdraw from a language course that would have completed your Language Requirement (LR), and if that course is not offered in the fall, you may take either of two accommodations:
  • In the fall term, you may meet your LR by completing a course credit in a third language—neither English nor that of the course they dropped—at any level for which you qualify. For example, instead of L1 + L2 + L3 French, you might take L1 + L2 French + Lx Spanish.

    or

  • In the fall term, you may meet your LR by completing a course credit in a culture course in the relevant language. For example, you might take L1 + L2 French + “France since 1871” (conducted in English).

Grading for courses taken in the Graduate and Professional schools at Yale (Updated April 1, 2020)

• If you are a candidate for the Simultaneous Award of the Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees, courses taken under the Yale College Pass/Fail scale will be counted toward your bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements.

Academic Honors (Updated March 29, 2020)

This term will not be factored into the calculation of general honors, distinction in the major, or other awards. For graduating seniors, Dean Chun has asked the faculty to use other criteria to recognize you based on your achievements in prior semesters or up to spring break this semester.

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How will dean’s excuses be handled? (Updated April 16, 2020)

While the deans will continue in their usual role of providing counsel and support to our students on a wide range of matters, if you need to postpone your work, please start by asking your instructor for such accommodations. The faculty is prepared to issue extensions, not only for students infected by the virus but also due to concerns arising from the medical circumstances of family members. If, however, you face difficulty completing your work by the end of final exam period (May 6), be sure to contact your residential college dean who alone has the authority to grant an extension beyond this date.

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Whom do I contact for administrative transactions of an academic nature?

During the period that Yale College course instruction is being handled remotely, the Academic Affairs office and the offices of the residential college deans will do the same with respect to administrative transactions of an academic nature: course withdrawals, applications for a leave of absence, matters related to second half of the spring term courses, etc. An email to the office of the residential college dean, sent via the student’s Yale Net ID account, will be considered an “official” and thus binding request or notification.

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What is the status on promotion hold?

As always, the cancellation of any summer program, in any circumstances, upon which a Yale College student was dependent for promotion or other milestone completion will be grounds for an exception approved by the dean of Academic Affairs on behalf of CHAS. In the same vein, if a student after the completion of this term has a course-credit deficiency that is the result of Yale College’s cancellation of a course, that situation will be grounds for an exception approved by the dean of Academic Affairs on behalf of CHAS.

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Reinstatement (Updated April 30, 2020)

The Committee on Reinstatement will accept online courses offered in summer 2020 for the purposes of applying for reinstatement to Yale College for the fall 2020 term and the spring 2021 term. Online courses taken outside of Yale must be offered by an accredited, four-year, B.A.-granting college or university and must include regular, synchronous interaction with the instructor, as well as regular feedback.

Furthermore, outside, non-Yale Summer Session online courses will not be accepted onto the Yale College transcript if a comparable course is offered this summer through Yale Summer Session (however, such course work may satisfy the reinstatement course work requirement alone).

Students are urged to submit information or questions about their reinstatement course work to reinstatement@yale.edu prior to enrolling and in order to obtain clearance.
 

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Dining

Will dining halls be open and when? (Updated March 25, 2020)

To support students who remain on campus during limited operations, Yale Hospitality is offering a Smart Meals dining program for undergraduate students. Smart Meals features healthy, “to-go” meals, prepared in a safe environment. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner options are available at Trumbull College Dining Hall seven days a week. View hours and additional information on the Yale Hospitality website.

To access the Trumbull College dining hall, please use the main gate closest to York Street and walk through the double doors on the right to enter the dining hall. Please enter and exit the dining hall through the front entrance only. Unless there is an actual emergency, do not use the emergency exit door at the rear of the dining hall. Thank you for your cooperation.

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What precautions have been taken in the dining halls? (Updated March 25, 2020)

Yale Hospitality continues to uphold rigorous service procedures to proactively implement enhanced cleaning, disinfecting and safety procedures in all of our dining halls, residential common spaces, and cafés. Our staff receive daily reminders and training about the steps they must take to prevent the spread of the virus. Please practice social distancing measures for your safety and others. We encourage you to refrain from visiting Trumbull Dining Hall if you are sick (contact Yale Health Services). Please review the COVID-19 website and CDC for further information.

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How will dietary restrictions be addressed? (Updated March 25, 2020)

The Smart Meals dining program will offer a variety of options, and we will continue to respond to and address dietary needs on an individual basis. Please contact Yale.Dining@yale.edu to address your specific needs.

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Will the food in the dining halls be portable? (Updated March 25, 2020)

Yes, Smart Meals will offer portable dining service. Food will be served in pre-packaged, take-out containers to encourage social distancing measures for the safety of our community. We are avoiding reusable containers to avoid cross-contamination.

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Who should I contact if I have additional dining questions?

We are here for you! If you have additional questions, please email Yale.Dining@yale.edu

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Summer Plans

Can I still receive summer funding through Yale’s Office of Career Strategy (OCS), including the Domestic Summer Award?

Summer funding managed by the Office of Career Strategy (OCS) will still be distributed to students for Summer 2020. This includes the Domestic Summer Award, Paul Block Journalism Internships, Buckley Media & Public Policy Internships, Los Angeles Arts Internships, Yale Alumni Community Service Fellowship, and the Yawkey Community Service Fellowship.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, only in summer 2020, OCS funding recipients may work remotely if their employer agrees. See the OCS Remote Work Guidelines for more details. International students must contact OISS to discuss any required work authorization.

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To what degree may I participate in campus activities, including research and employment, during the first phase of research reactivation? (New May 21, 2020)

During research reactivation phase 1 (Highly Restricted Access), undergraduates may not participate in in-person, on-campus activities. For example, undergraduates may not work in offices, laboratories, libraries, or museums on campus. Undergraduates may not conduct university-sponsored field research. They may work for faculty members and university departments, but must conduct this work remotely. No undergraduate classes or orientation activities will be held in person during phase 1.

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Additional FAQs

What will happen with large events like Spring Fling? (Updated March 14, 2020)

Some events may be moved online, but large events will be cancelled.

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What will happen with Commencement? (Updated March 25, 2020)

Unfortunately, the spread of COVID-19 and the public health precautions put in place to attempt to blunt its effect will keep us from gathering together on campus for commencement. Although we cannot be together in May, we will find other meaningful ways to mark your accomplishments then and will explore how we can celebrate together at a future date. Secretary and Vice-President of Student Life Kimberly Goff-Crews is convening a planning committee that includes students to ensure their preferences and perspectives are represented in future celebrations, including any in-person gatherings. For ongoing updates, visit the Yale Commencement website.

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The answers provided in this document are not comprehensive, and are likely to be updated, especially as the COVID-19 outbreak develops and as public health guidance adapts to contain it.

 
If you have further questions, please reach out to ycd@yale.edu.