Dear UMass Boston Community,
We are pleased to share positive housing news that we learned moments ago this morning: following final inspections and safety approvals, we are ready to begin a phased re-occupancy of the East Residence Hall for select residents. This milestone reflects the collective patience and resilience of our community, and we are excited to begin welcoming students back home.
Phased Re-Occupancy – Effective Today
Students whose rooms are in the Orange Corridor, the Yellow Corridor, or select Blue Corridor rooms near the elevators that are not affected by ongoing construction as well as Blue rooms on 11th and 12th floors, may return to their East Residence Hall rooms beginning today, Friday, February 27.
UMass Boston Housing staff will be on site to check students in and assist returning residents today between 10:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. and Saturday between 10:15 and 1:45 pm. Students may also return through the weekend at their convenience.
Remediation work in the central stairwell has been completed, and all required life-safety systems, including fire alarms and designated egress routes, are fully operational in the cleared areas of the building. City and state inspectors have authorized these residential sections for re-occupancy.
We are grateful to our Facilities teams, Capstone On-Campus Management (COCM), city and state inspectors, Transportation teams, Student Affairs staff, Academic Affairs, Faculty and Advising, and so many staff as well as community members who have worked tirelessly to reach this milestone.
Students in Blue Corridor – Long-Term Housing Plans
Students whose rooms sustained direct water damage transitioned to semester-long housing at Emerson College last weekend and are now settled in that community with ongoing UMass Boston support.
For students in the remaining Blue Corridor rooms who are located within active construction and remediation zones and will not be able to return this semester, securing stable long-term housing has been our next priority.
We have identified an additional long-term housing location, and COCM is currently finalizing contract details. While this plan is not yet confirmed, based on current progress we are hopeful that by the end of next week we will finalize another long-term housing partner to provide stable, consolidated housing for the remaining displaced students.
We recognize how disruptive this period has been and remain committed to restoring stability as quickly and safely as possible. We will continue to share updates as additional details are confirmed.
Additional information and a list of previous communications can be found at https://www.umb.edu/reshallsupport/.
Thank you for your continued support and patience.
Karen Ferrer-Muñiz, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Kathleen Kirleis, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
