By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Amherst, MA) As the 2020-2021 academic year approaches, many have questions regarding college life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Jo Comerford has released a clarification on the plans for Umass Amherst.
“Many people may not be aware that the campus acts as its own public board of health and reports directly to the Commonwealth,” said Comerford in her blog titled The People’s Blog.
Umass Amherst has implemented testing, quarantine, and contact tracing protocols for the upcoming school year. A working group for Umass has been created called the COVID-19 Umass Working Group, which will consist of Amherst officials, Public Health Officials, Rep. Mindy Domb, and Jo Comerford.
“We know that community members, the business community, faculty, and staff have concerns,” said Comerford in her blog.
Comerford also clarified that Umass has not laid off any full-time permanent employees, but there have been furloughs related to COVID-19 budget cuts. Increase in public health costs and a drop in revenue have caused budget problems throughout the state government, Comerford said. Difficult budget decisions are still being made. To read the blog post in its entirety click here.