Bay Path University and Town of Longmeadow Join Forces to Support Local Emergency Responders
Longmeadow, MA — Bay Path University and the Town of Longmeadow have joined forces to support local emergency responders during the COVID-19 crisis by designating Theinert Hall, on Bay Path’s campus, as a Public Safety Quarantine Center.
The town and the university have forged an agreement allowing local emergency responders who need to self-quarantine the opportunity to do so in Theinert Hall, one of the university’s three residence halls.
Emergency Management Director and Longmeadow Fire Chief John Dearborn is responsible for coordinating the town’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and will oversee management of the Center. The town and fire department will have full responsibility for the supervision and maintenance of the facility, and will care for, feed, and monitor the safety and well-being of any first responders who need to be placed in the Center.
Chief Dearborn stated, “This is an important aspect of controlling the spread of this virus in the public safety community and in the community at large and Bay Path’s Theinert Hall is uniquely suited for this purpose. We are grateful to Bay Path for their assistance.”
The Governor of Massachusetts declared a state of emergency with regard to COVID-19 on March 10, 2020. At the same time, Bay Path University informed students who were on spring break to remain home as all classes were being moved to remote learning due to the COVID threat. All Bay Path University students will complete their semester through distance learning.
“Our successful partnership with the town of Longmeadow and its emergency responders goes back many years and we were happy to answer the call when Chief Dearborn reached out,” stated Michael Giampietro, Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services for Bay Path.
Media questions may be directed to Kathleen Bourque, Vice President for University Relations at Bay Path University at 413-478-6582 or kbourque@baypath.edu or to Lyn Simmons, Longmeadow Town Manager at lsimmons@longmeadow.org.
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About Bay Path University
Bay Path University was founded in 1897. With locations in Longmeadow (main), East Longmeadow (Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center), Springfield (MA), Sturbridge (MA), and Concord (MA), Bay Path’s innovative program offerings include traditional undergraduate degrees for women, The American Women's College on-ground and online, the first all-women, all-online accredited bachelor’s degree programs in the country; over 30 graduate programs for women and men, including doctorate degrees; and Strategic Alliances, offering professional development courses for individuals and organizations. Bay Path’s goal is to give students confidence in the fundamentals of their chosen field, the curiosity to question the ordinary, the leadership to show initiative, and the desire to make a difference.