Emerson intends to house students in the Paramount Center Residence Hall during the fall semester, after it was designated as a quarantine and isolation space for the entire 2020-21 academic year. 

Paramount last housed students during the spring 2020 semester — before the pandemic uprooted nearly every aspect of college life. The Paramount Center — which lies adjacent to the residence hall hosted classes despite the quarantine designation for the dormitory. 

Director of Housing and Residential Education Christie Anglade attributed the decision to the college’s vaccine mandate for all students, which has led college officials to drop a number of COVID-19 restrictions. 

“With the majority of the campus population vaccinated, we are anticipating lower numbers of students needing to quarantine or isolate, but will still work to support our students who have a need to do so,” said Anglade. “As always, the health and safety of our community members remains the priority.”

With Paramount reopening, it does not appear as though the college will have a designated space for students to quarantine or isolate should they test positive for or be exposed to COVID-19.