Messages for Students

Message from Patty Gallagher, June 12, 2020

Dear Students,

As part of the recently passed federal legislation known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Olin College has received approximately $89,212 that must be granted directly to students as emergency financial aid. This purpose of this funding is to help eligible students offset their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations caused by COVID-19.

As a fully residential campus, all eligible enrolled students experienced some form of disruption.  A committee of Olin staff reviewed the guidance and law and determined that an equal distribution would most preserve the intent of the legislation while placing the least burden on students.  Beginning the week of June 15, 2020, all eligible students, including graduating seniors, will receive a one-time grant of $473. Eligible students are those who 1) were enrolled for classes for Spring 2020, 2) are Title IV eligible, and 3) have filed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the last day of the academic year. 

You have been determined to be an eligible student according to these requirements.  Accordingly, you will be receiving a payment of $473.  In most cases, this payment will be directly deposited to the bank account that Olin has on file.  If we do not have your bank account information, you will receive a paper check in the mail at your permanent home address.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact studentaccounts@olin.edu.

Patty

 

Message from Patty Gallagher, March 31, 2020

Dear students,

In my last email I mentioned we were working on a process for an adjustment of charges to your student account for room and board.

Olin made the difficult but necessary decision to change to online learning to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our entire community, and as a result most students left campus abruptly on or before March 18. 

Even though there are many complexities regarding federal regulations and student accounts, we were determined to make the refund process as simple and equitable as possible.

Olin’s founding precepts state that the College must care about its students “not just as scholars and engineers but as people.” With that as our guiding principle, we are pleased to tell you that the Board of Trustees has generously voted to offer the maximum pro-rated room and board refund possible to every student regardless of any financial aid award.

Each student who has already departed campus, therefore, will receive a credit to their student account in the amount of $4,218,  which amounts to half of the room and board fees for this semester. Any overpayment as a result of this credit adjustment will be promptly refunded to students. Olin will direct deposit the entire credit balance into your bank account.  If we do not have your bank account information on file, we will mail a paper check to your home address on file.  If you wish to update your bank account information, you may enter it securely through the Olin student portal. Please make any necessary changes as soon as possible by clicking on MyStAR>Student Private Data.

If you have any questions you may email studentaccounts@olin.edu. 

We know the past few weeks have been challenging for all of you. Abruptly leaving campus, transitioning to online learning and leaving your friends and college community isn’t easy. We hope this will give you one less thing to worry about. 

Patty

Message from Beth Grampetro, March 23, 2020

Hello students,

I hope that this message finds you all well. I know that you are in varied places now- at home, with friends, a few on campus- and that we’re all still adjusting to how things are going to work for the next several weeks and beyond. I wanted to send a message to remind you of wellness resources that are available to you.

Physical Health

  • Obviously Coronavirus is at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now. Here is helpful information about symptoms to look out for and what to do if you are experiencing symptoms. Please note that you should call your provider first so that they can discuss your symptoms over the phone and be prepared for you to visit the office if you are in fact experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If you are staying on campus, you can still utilize Babson Health Services. You must call to make an appointment. There will be no walk-ins. If you make an appointment you will need to call 781-239-6363 when you arrive at the clinic to be let in. Hours of operation are 8:30 to 4:30 going forward. You can also use local after-hours care options when Health Services is closed.
  • For the majority of you who are off campus, you have a few options:
    • Utilize your primary care provider at home if that’s where you are
    • Contact a local Urgent Care clinic
    • Use the website for your health insurance provider or the customer service phone number on your insurance card for help finding a provider near you
    • Use your insurance provider’s after-hours nurse/advice line if they have one (it will be listed on their website and possibly on your card)

Mental Health

  • If you are already a client of any Olin-sponsored counselor, they have likely reached out to you about remote sessions. These will be covered by the college through May 15th. If you have not yet been contacted by your counselor, please let me know.
  • If you were not utilizing counseling before remote instruction began, but you’d like to connect with someone, you can:
  • You can also follow the same steps as above for finding a mental health provider through your insurance company- use their website or the customer service number on your card to locate a provider near you.
  • You can find some suggested hotlines for support here.
  • Check out this resource from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) about coping strategies.

Wellness Office

Take care of yourselves, be as patient with yourselves and with others as you can be, and please e-mail me if you have questions, 

Beth

Message from Rae-Anne Butera, March 10, 2020

Dear Students,

Earlier today you received a message from President Miller regarding the College’s plans for moving forward after spring break. We realize that this is a lot to take in and will provide as much information and support as possible.

Below is important information and instructions for your departure from campus

  • All students should depart campus by 5 pm on Wednesday, March 18. Because the duration of the situation is unclear, students are encouraged to take as many of their belongings as possible. Though no determination has been made, it is wise to assume that you may not be returning this semester. Certainly take any belongings that may be needed for remote course engagement. The residence halls will be inaccessible during this time.
  • We recognize that there will be some students whose circumstances are such that they have no other option than to continue to be on campus after spring break due to travel restrictions to other countries or other extenuating circumstances. If that is the case for you, you must complete this form by noon on Thursday, March 12. A member of the Student Affairs staff will reach out to you to discuss plans for your situation. 
  • Key return envelopes will be available at the blue key boxes located in each residence hall lobby beginning Thursday March 12th.   All departing students need to return their room and suite keys in the provided envelopes prior to departure.
  • For those who are unable to take all of their belongings with them, you are asked to box anything left behind as it is possible Olin may need to move or consolidate items into storage.
  • Please contact Seth Hodge (shodge@olin.edu)  with any questions about departure.

Continuation of Resources from Student Affairs

  • The Student Affairs staff will continue to be available to you via email and other remote means, just as we are in person. 
  • We are working with our counseling providers to determine the feasibility of offering remote sessions for the duration of the semester. We will follow up as soon as possible with more details about this.

On Campus Events

  • No determination has been made regarding events such as Expo, Scope Summit, or Commencement. While we all hope to be able to hold these events it remains to be seen. Please stay tuned.

I realize this is a great deal of information. We are asking you to leave a place that many consider a second home and this may be challenging in different ways. We are here to be helpful. If you have particular needs to discuss please reach out. We will remain available to you and stay in touch throughout the rest of the semester.

Thanks, and be well,

Rae-Anne, on behalf of the Student Affairs team