'You Must Plan to Move Out of Your Residence by Tuesday, March 17': MIT's 7-Day Eviction Order for 4,500 Undergraduates

To the members of the MIT community, As the coronavirus situation evolves, we must take additional steps to protect the health of our community and reduce the impact on the broader public. Effective immediately, all MIT classes will move to virtual formats beginning Monday, March 30, following an extended spring break. Most importantly: All undergraduate students living in MIT residence halls must plan to move out of their residence by Tuesday, March 17, and to remain away from campus for the remainder of the spring semester. Graduate students may remain in their residences but should plan for the possibility of further restrictions. We recognize that this is an extraordinary request, and we will provide financial assistance to students who require it. No student will be required to leave campus if they cannot safely do so. The Institute will also continue to pay all hourly campus workers whose work cannot continue under these new circumstances. These decisions are deeply painful, but we believe they are necessary.

MIT COVID-19 Update: All non-essential research activity in MIT laboratories will be ramped down by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20. Only research deemed essential to address the COVID-19 pandemic, or that cannot be paused without significant loss of work, will continue. Principal investigators must submit continuity plans by March 17. Undergraduate students should be in transit or have departed campus by Tuesday, March 17 at the latest. Travel grants of up to $1,000 are available through Student Support Services. Dining will move to grab-and-go through March 17, then will close. Building access for undergraduates will be terminated effective March 18 except for designated essential-needs students.