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Update to Bay Path Students from Dean Anne Chapdelaine

March 22, 2020

Dear Students,

Over the past week, I have received many questions about the support and resources available to students while studying remotely. I have also received many inquiries for other topics. I thought it would be best to try and answer many of these questions in one document. I am sure there are others, so please don’t hesitate to reach out during this time. Please know I am thinking about all of you, and it’s not the same without you here. I speak on behalf of the entire Bay Path community when I say we are here to navigate this new process together with you and want nothing more than to see you succeed.

Stay well,
Dean Anne


Student Supports:

What will happen with my internship?

Due to the extenuating circumstances caused by COVID-19, Bay Path is committed to working with those students currently engaged in internships. Each student's internship is unique, therefore, please work directly with your career coach and faculty advisor and/or dean for specifics to your situation. We are committed to being as flexible as needed to ensure your academic progress will not be hindered.

Can my club or organization still run? Will there be any programs to interact with virtually?

Yes, the student engagement office is working hard to develop a plan for us to stay connected as a community and have some fun doing it as well. Stay tuned for more information from Ramona and Shelby!

How will we get mail and or packages?

We will continue to forward mail that is delivered to the university as often as we can. Packages will be available for pick up Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

NOTE: Students who wish to have their mail automatically forwarded will need to contact the SENDER to do this, NOT the post office. To do so, you will need to work with the business associated with the piece of mail (EX: to have a Verizon bill forwarded to a new address, the student should contact Verizon to update their mailing address).

It is strongly suggested that all residential students update their mailing addresses in this manner, as there will be a significant delay in forwarding mail due to staff working remotely for this period of time.

Will we still be able to utilize the Counseling Center?

Yes! Jen & Tara are still here to serve and support our students virtually or in-person, by appointment Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. They can be reached by phone (413) 565-1544, or Medicat messaging for consultation and referral support to get you connected in your area. We do recommend you seek care in your local community. To learn more about finding a therapist in your area, check out our guide: How to Find an Off-Campus Provider. We also have a list of other resources for virtual support, online skills practice, and connection opportunities.

Good news, the Counseling Center is working on offering telehealth services (phone and Zoom services) that align with the laws and regulations pertaining to psychological practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and professional ethical guidelines. The counselors are currently engaged in training and preparation to offer this new service and hope to begin offering it to remote students on 3/30/2020. More information on those services will be forthcoming.

Will we still be able to utilize the Health Center?

Yes! Nurse Deb is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm for those who call ahead and make an appointment. The number for Health Services is (413) 565-1544. No walk-ins will be permitted at this time. Students that are having any of the following symptoms: temperature of 100.0 or higher, cough or shortness of breath, need to call their primary provider. If you do not have a primary provider, please call Nurse Deb for a referral to a medical facility that can assist you. Services that students can access in Health Services are Depo injections, prescription refills, injuries, minor illness, TB test and referral services to specialists. Dr. Goldstein will still be available via phone for Nurse Deb to consult with around any medical issues that students are having. Students needing immediate medical attention should dial 911.

What if I or someone close to me tests positive for COVID-19?

If you know for sure you or someone close to you has been exposed or tests positive for COVID-19 it is important that you contact Deb Baker at our university health center by calling (413) 565-1544 right away.

What if I was not able to make it to campus to move out of the residence halls by March 22nd? Will I be able to pick up my items/move out at another time?

Yes, you will be able to pick up your items at a later date! We are looking to schedule a “non-traditional move out” before June 1, 2020. Please continue to keep an eye on your student email for updates about when this move out day will take place.

Will we be refunded for Gala ticket purchases?

Yes! Students who paid via credit card will receive a refund to their card. All others will receive a check in the mail within the next few weeks.

I am a resident student, will I receive a refund for room & board? parking?

Yes! Refunds will be issued for room and board, and parking fees, on a pro-rated basis for the spring semester. Those refunds will be applied to student accounts and, if applicable, a check will be mailed on April 10, 2020.

Academic Supports

Every effort is being made to provide you with the same academic support off-campus that you rely on when you’re on campus.

Are Tutoring & Academic Coaching still available to us?

Yes! Tutoring and Academic Coaching have moved online! Peer tutors are ready to work with you in Zoom meetings, by phone, or by using Google Docs (think writing support!). Academic Coaches (Joel Simundich, Amy Goldman, Colleen Mutlu and Andy Ngwaba) are also available to support you in their subject areas as well as general academic success support. You can make an appointment with the coaches and peer tutors via TutorTrac in the My Bay Path Portal.

*Don’t Forget* You can also use Smarthinking, our online tutoring platform, for academic support. The “Essay Center” provides writing review and the tutors cover a wide range of topics. Smarthinking can be accessed from the My Bay Path Portal.

My online classes aren’t the same as face to face classes! I’m nervous about my success in the online classroom… Can you help me with adjusting to the online classroom?

You’re right, online learning is different from learning in the face to face classroom. Just as our faculty have support as they work to get their courses fully online, you have support to ensure you succeed as an online learner. You can schedule an appointment with one of our academic coaches or reach out to online@baypath.edu to connect with William Guida, Learning Commons Support Coordinator, to explore ways to succeed online… from using Canvas to time management to staying connected!

Do my accommodations still apply in the online classroom? I hadn’t registered with AccessAbility Services before now, but learning online poses different challenges for me and I think I might need to. What do I do?

Online classes may present something different to students registered with the Office of AccessAbility Services, but accommodations in place still apply. Surbhi Patel and John Levesque will continue to work with you to make sure accommodation needs are met. If you think you may need to work with AccessAbility Services, reach out to accessibility@baypath.edu to have a conversation.

I can’t get to the library at Bay Path or in my hometown. How can I get support for my research, access course reserves, or request online materials?

The virtual Hatch Library is open for business. Hatch librarians are maintaining regular library hours to assist with virtual learning, so you can continue to contact Peter Brunette, Miriam Neiman and the rest of the team for research and resource troubleshooting help. Librarians can be reached by phone at (413) 565-1376 or email hatchlibrary@baypath.edu, or by chat during the following hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Sunday. You can continue to request electronic articles through interlibrary loan at ill@baypath.edu. All of our online databases are still available on the library website at library.baypath.edu.

*Helpful Tip* You may be able to access course reserve textbooks through VitalSource. If you need help with this, please contact Hatch Library. If the book you need isn’t there, the Hatch Library staff can scan chapters and send them to you via email.