Jamie and Sarah Juskiewicz work at the same pizza shop in their hometown of Gorham, Maine and both play the same sport, field hockey. So, when the sisters decided to return to campus this spring semester, there was no question they would do it together.
“We are really excited to be back,” said Jamie Juskiewicz ’21. “This is my last chance to be here and I want to have as much a senior experience as I can. It was definitely the right decision for me.”
For Sarah, a first-year business management major, she could not wait to officially become part of the campus community. “I’ve visited my sister here before but this is the first time I won’t be going home,” Sarah said. “I can wait to meet people.”
Marcello Cappuccio ’23, who was helping friend and volleyball teammate Inelson Alves ’21 move in to College Hall on Thursday, said he didn’t want to miss out on the connections students get on campus. “I live out of state so I don’t get to see (my friends and teammates) that much,” said Cappuccino, who’s from New Jersey. “I am looking forward to seeing everyone, of course in a safe way.”
More than 350 Regis College students moved to campus this week for the spring semester. As part of the university’s comprehensive COVID-19 health and safety protocols, move-in took place throughout the week to allow for social distancing, minimal waiting at the on-campus testing center, and any required quarantining.
“The excitement our students bring to Regis is why our team worked so hard over the past several months to develop a safe move-in plan,” said Bridget Buoniconti, assistant dean of student affairs and director of residence life. “We are thrilled with how joyous and smooth the process has been.”
All student residents will be in single occupancy rooms this semester, and everyone had to get a COVID-19 test at Regis College Health Services upon arrival.
“It was really easy and quick,” said Jamie Juskiewicz of the testing process. “I had never done the self-swab before and (the staff) was great taking us step-by-step.”
This past fall Regis College significantly restricted campus access. In addition to essential faculty and staff, only students that required in-person learning or clinicals to advance in their program were eligible to be on campus. Everyone on campus was tested for COVID-19 once a week at Health Services, and that remains in place for the spring. In the fall, Regis completed almost 4,000 tests and recorded 10 positive cases.
“We are ready and very excited to welcome students back,” said Tammi Magazzu, director of Regis Community Health Services. “We have wonderful new additions to our team and will continue to serve as a fully operational health center for our students, as well as a COVID-19 testing site.”
