Providence

Living and Working at JWU Providence

The university continues to receive guidance and updates from federal, state and local officials, which in turn impacts our decisions & campus operations. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Providence Campus Updates

Last updated: 2/23/2021

02.23.21 - In consultation with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), JWU will continue sentinel testing during the spring semester for students who live on campus, or commute to campus.

The following information is based on student testing coordinated by JWU Health Services:

02/14-02/20 - 2 positive out of 598 tested
02/07-02/13 - 0 positive out of 598 tested
01/31-02/06 - 9 positive out of 583 tested
01/24-01/30 - 8 positive out of 619 tested
01/17-01/23 - 15 positive out of 671 tested
01/10-01/16 - 3 positive out of 259 tested
01/03-01/09 - 2 positive out of 264 tested

02.05.21 - To continue to safeguard our campus community, we began conducting sentinel testing twice a week during the week of January 18 that will occur through April. All in-person learners, and any remote learners coming to campus as an athlete or student employee, are required to participate in testing. In accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) guidance, our goal is to test 100% of our student population on a monthly basis, in addition to a pool of faculty and staff. We continue to work closely with RIDOH to advocate for access to the vaccine for our campus community.

An Important Video Message Regarding COVID-19 Testing at the Providence Campus:

"I remain inspired by our faculty and staff for their adaptability, creativity and unwavering commitment; and our students, who have adjusted to so much change in so little time, simply awe me."

- Providence Campus President Marie Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D., '92

What to Expect on the Providence Campus

The student experience will continue to look different. We continue to monitor federal and state guidance to determine the best way to execute in-person events. This past spring, we successfully offered career fairs and other experiences virtually. This will continue, but we will also explore outdoor programming that maintains appropriate physical distancing requirements. Student Academic & Financial Services, Experiential Education & Career Services, Tutoring, Personal Counseling, and other services will be accessible in-person and virtually. Transportation and the libraries will be available on campus as well. Students who typically work on campus should speak with their department heads to determine their status.

Learn More About What to Expect

Important to Know

Spring Semester Begins Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Students enrolled in lab courses will begin on January 19 (in person). Students taking in-person academic courses will do so remotely for the first week.

Arriving to Campus this Spring
All students arriving from outside Rhode Island, whether residing on campus or off, must complete a quarantine requirement. A negative point of origin COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival to Rhode Island will also be required. Anyone whose test is positive must contact health services to discuss next steps. Students planning to reside on campus can do so beginning January 4 (students in need of on-campus housing should contact Residential Life at reslife.pvd@jwu.edu). Please monitor your JWU email for detailed instructions.

Spring COVID-19 Testing Plans
COVID-19 sentinel testing will continue through the spring semester, as will our COVID-19 protocol. Our diligence with ongoing testing and wearing masks during the fall effectively helped to minimize the spread of the virus. As the winter months approach and we prepare for the spring semester, please continue the health practices you have adopted at JWU to keep yourselves, your friends and loved ones safe.

Providence Campus Info & Services

COVID-19 Conduct Protocol

Johnson & Wales University remains committed to mitigating the risks of COVID-19 and maintaining a positive campus community and online environment for living, learning and working.

Student Services

Offices and departments continue to provide services via phone, email and/or video conferencing. Limited in-person services are in effect. Check for updated hours.

Athletics

Check for the latest news and updates regarding athletics at the JWU Providence Campus.

Counseling Services

Counseling Services is a confidential resource for students where they can access support to help manage their emotional well-being.

Campus Dining

Review the safety measures in place, hours of operation, best practices and how students in quarantine are served by Campus Dining

Getting Around Campus

JWU offers student parking, bus and/or public transportation options to safely explore all the opportunities your city offers and get where you need to be.

Library

To learn about how the library is serving JWU students during the COVID-19 pandemic, check its website.

Internet Connectivity

Service providers have pledged consumer support for individuals with no internet or a weak connection during the current pandemic

What's Happening at JWU

Stay Healthy, Stay Safe: COVID Protocols for Spring

From sentinel testing to daily check-ins, here is what you need to know for staying healthy this semester.

Andrea Feldman ● 29 January 2021

The Speed of Sound: JWU’s Shift to Remote Learning

JWU’s Director of Instructional Design & Technology discusses how the university pivoted to remote learning during the the coronavirus pandemic.

Denise Dowling ● 10 June 2020

Call of Duty: JWU’s Emergency Management Response to COVID-19

JWU’s director of emergency management discusses his strategies for dealing with a pandemic.

Denise Dowling ● 15 May 2020

Providence Campus FAQs

When will students be permitted to return to campus for the spring semester?

Move-in for students residing on campus will occur in a staggered fashion:

All culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and equine lab students must arrive on either January 4 or 5 to fulfill the 14-day quarantine requirement; labs will begin on January 19.
Students enrolled in face-to-face academic courses may begin to move in on January 15; courses will begin on January 19 and will be held remotely for the first week. Face-to-face classes will commence on January 25.
Internships will begin on January 19 and end on May 4.

Which students living on campus need to quarantine upon arrival to campus?

Students travelling to RI from any state must arrive early to quarantine prior to the start of the spring semester. In addition, all students, including those who are Rhode Island residents, with face-to-face courses must present a negative point-of-origin test within three days of coming to campus.

What student services will be available during the spring semester?

Where is sentinel testing taking place on the Providence Campus?

Testing is taking place on the Harborside Campus at the Indoor Practice Facility (near the athletic fields). For address, use 60 Harborside Blvd, Providence, RI, 02905. Refer to the Wildcat Wheels bus schedule for JWU transportation to/from Harborside.

What is sentinel testing?

This is a type of surveillance testing, regardless of symptoms, intended to identify positive cases early and limit outbreaks. A percentage of students, faculty and staff will be randomly selected each week to participate. Many individuals will be tested multiple times, sometimes in consecutive weeks.