Yale to make exams remote

University will mandate booster shots for return to campus after winter break

In advance of the winter break, Yale University is shifting all exams to remote and offering students the option of leaving campus early, according to a letter sent to students Saturday.

“While Yale has not experienced the same increase in COVID rates as some other universities, we know that many of you are concerned about remaining on campus during the finals period,” says the letter from the school’s deans. “Although the risk of transmission during in-person examinations is small, we want you to be able to go home now.”

The campus is scheduled to close at noon Thursday.

Until then, dining halls will continue to serve grab-and-go meals and the gyms have been closed.

“We want to emphasize that you are not required to leave campus early, but we encourage you to do so if you wish,” the letter says.

“Please continue to maintain your testing, masking, and social distancing practices.”

The campus has not encountered a large spike as Connecticut numbers continue to rise. From Dec. 12 to 18, the campus had 164 positive cases, 30 of which were identified Saturday, the most recent day of testing.

Classes for the spring semester are scheduled to begin Jan. 18. Students are required to take a COVID test one to two days before returning to campus and test twice a week for the first two weeks back on campus.

They are also required to get a booster shot before they return to campus.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to begin the semester in person, but in light of the rapidly changing public health conditions, we ask you to plan for the possibility that some or all activities will take place remotely at the outset of the semester,” the letter says.