Dear UMass Boston Community,
Since the pipe burst in East Residence Hall on February 9, our campus has mobilized in extraordinary ways to support our students. We know how deeply disruptive, emotional, and exhausting these past days have been for residents who were displaced while continuing their academic work. This has been especially challenging for so many first-year students who are in the process of cementing their connections to our community, their academics, and campus life, which a live-on experience is designed to support. We want to acknowledge that strain and express our gratitude for the patience, flexibility, and compassion shown across our community.
The response to this incident is a campus-wide effort. Cross-functional teams from Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Facilities, Residential Life, Dining, Transportation, Counseling, Communications, and others have been working around the clock in close coordination with the building’s property manager Capstone On-Campus Management (COCM) and owner Provident Resources Group, as well as city and state inspectors. Below is a summary of where things stand and how we continue to support our students.
Student Support & Academic Continuity
All faculty have received guidance directly from the Provost regarding flexibility and reasonable accommodations for impacted students. We are grateful for the care and responsiveness faculty have shown.
Additional supports include:
- Expanded mental health counseling services on both the UMass Boston campus and the Charles River / Mt. Ida campus. Students can continue to access 24/7 crisis phone support by calling 855-634-4135.
- Open, staffed spaces for students seeking a calm and supportive environment in University Health Services (Quinn 2nd floor)
- A pop-up essential items donation center in the “Fishbowl” conference room of the East Residence Hall, providing clothing, bedding, and personal necessities (donations remain welcome)
- Temporary parking access added to East Hall residents’ Beacon Cards to ease transportation challenges
- Activation of the Beacon Student Emergency Aid Fund, providing up to $1,000 in immediate assistance to eligible residents
- Establishment of a new Chancellor’s Fund for Student Emergency, seeded by the Chancellor’s personal gift, to provide additional rapid support
- A hotline with UMass Boston staffing has been made available for students being moved to Emerson to support any transitional questions during the reassignment process.
Housing Updates
Students in Damaged Rooms – Transition to Emerson College
After extensive coordination and planning, students whose rooms sustained direct water damage will transition to longer-term housing at Emerson College, with move-in scheduled for this Sunday, February 22.
This arrangement will remain in place through the end of the Spring semester, providing stability and continuity for those students. Emerson’s centrally located downtown campus offers convenient MBTA access just a few stops from UMass Boston. Students will be housed in close proximity to one another to maintain community connection, and UMass Boston Residential Life staff, including peer assistants, will be on site to provide continued support and programming. MBTA passes will be made available for these students.
Students in Non-Damaged Rooms – Progress Toward Re-Occupancy
Significant progress continues within the East Residence Hall. Building systems are performing well in testing, and remediation efforts are advancing steadily to provide access to areas that did not sustain direct water damage.
A small number of remaining safety requirements must be completed and formally approved before authorization for the next phase of re-occupancy can be granted. We expect to share more detailed timelines shortly.
Our current plan envisions a phased re-occupancy organized by corridor color, floor, and proximity to active remediation/construction zones. This structured approach ensures that safety remains paramount, and that inspections are fully satisfied before students return.
This moment has tested us—but it has also demonstrated the strength of our Beacon community. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners have stepped forward to support one another in meaningful ways.
We remain focused on safety, stability, and transparent communication as we move into this next phase of recovery. Additional updates will be shared as soon as they are confirmed.
With appreciation for your continued support,
Karen Ferrer-Muñiz, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Kathleen Kirleis, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance
