WORCESTER, Mass. - The class of 2025 is arriving at Assumption University. Masks and COVID-19 tests are on their checklists as they move in.

“I didn't think I'd be able to like live on campus at all this year,” Eva Faingaa, an Assumption University freshman, said. “I'm glad I'm able to be here, and able to live here and not be doing online classes all year long.”

What You Need To Know

  • Assumption University students are moving in for the school year

  • About 99% of staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and 86% of students

  • All students will be wearing masks inside to start the year

  • The school is looking forward to a somewhat normal year

“I’m very excited to be here,” Emma Bramante, an Assumption University freshman said. “I'm excited to meet my roommate and everything. [And] get settled in and start a new chapter.”

Assumption leaders say there are a few less hands helping out on move in day this year, but it’s to help keep everyone safe. The school is looking forward to a somewhat normal year.

“It's very different from last year,” Dr. Francesco Cesareo, president of Assumption University said. “I mean, last year we actually had to delay the start of the semester and we started remotely. So this year we're starting on schedule.”

The university has a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students and staff. About 86% of the student population is fully vaccinated. Students are also being tested once a week.

"The plan is to hold as many in-person events as we can, with all of the safety requirements in place, so that the student experience will be exciting, fun, engaging, and closer to what they expected," Cesareo said. 

This weekend masks are required all the time. Next week, all students will have to wear masks in the classroom. Vaccinated students can take their masks off outside.

“I wasn’t looking forward to that, but to keep everyone safe you got to do what you got to do," Charlee Kennedy, an Assumption University freshman, said. 

“I think it's appropriate that we wear them during class,” Bramante said. “Everyone's all confined in the room. It good though, when we're outside we can take them off. We can see everyone, but in class I definitely think it’s a good idea to keep them on.”

The rest of Assumption students will be returning to campus this weekend and classes start on Monday.