Campus Facilities and Safety Practices

On April 30, 2021, Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker issued an order requiring people to wear masks or face coverings in indoor public places, and outdoors when they are unable to maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people. This means face coverings are still required at all times in indoor public places, and will continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or outdoors, and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when eating or drinking.

In these instances, you must wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose. Your mask must fit snugly on your nose and under your chin, and cover your mouth fully. Note that gaiters, buffs, and bandanas are not recommended.

Please review this resource from the CDC for more guidance about how to choose the right mask, wear it properly, and keep it clean.

Here is special guidance for singers and wind instrument players:

• Singers are required to wear a mask at all times. You may choose which type of mask to wear: a standard mask or a specialized mask designed for singing. For example:

  • The Resonance Singer's Mask comes in two sizes (medium and large), and is washable. The design features adjustable head straps and internal construction that holds the fabric away from the mouth so that inhaling is more comfortable and jaw movement does not disrupt mask placement. The sizing of this mask runs large.

  • The Singer's Mask is similar to the first but has a larger spacing away from the mouth, creating more of a duckbill. This mask has ear straps and comes in child and adult sizes. Allow two weeks for manufacturing and delivery.

• Wind instrumentalists are required to wear a mask at all times. You may choose which type of mask to wear: a standard mask or a specialized mask designed for performance, such as Dance Sophisticates Music Mask (masks) or National Educational Music Company (masks and bell covers). Individuals interested in making their own face mask can find DIY directions.

In addition to wearing face masks, brass players must cover their instrument bells with a dense fabric bell cover (e.g., McCormicks, Rettig Music, Seavine) and practice water key etiquette:

• Drape the water valve and collect condensate in a towel or WindSorb.  

• Disinfect towel/WindSorb after use.  

• Empty spit valves into a puppy pad, WindSorb, or cloth that is disposed of by the user.

Berklee has used industry-specific guidance in revising room occupancy limits for its on-campus spaces. These capacity adjustments will allow individuals to observe Berklee’s social distancing guidelines, which are as follows for both classes and performance activities:

• Six-foot distancing is required for academic, instrumental, and theater activity with low aerosol production, such as speaking at an average volume. Six-foot by nine-foot distancing is required for trombone players.

• Eight-foot distancing is required for dance activities, as well as theater activities with moderate aerosol production, such as loud speaking.

• Twelve-foot distancing is required for all singing activities, including theater singing.

Berklee has installed plexiglass barriers throughout campus in high-traffic reception areas to help protect individuals from airborne particles. 

Portable barriers are available to use in ensemble rooms and other spaces. Woodwind players, brass players, and vocalists are required to use these portable barriers when rehearsing with others in a practice room. 

After completing a campus-wide assessment of all building ventilation systems, Berklee has taken several measures to enhance air cleaning of its campus spaces:

• Air filters were replaced with new MERV 13 filters. 

• All ductwork has been cleaned and sanitized.  

• Systems have been reprogramed to provide maximum ventilation.

Campus spaces without mechanical ventilation were either taken offline for the spring semester or outfitted with ventilation systems appropriate for the space.

In addition, portable HEPA filters will be available to supplement ventilation in some rooms, including small instructional spaces used for singing or dancing and larger instructional spaces.

Community members are responsible for sanitizing high-touch areas before and after use, including in classrooms and practice spaces. Throughout campus, community members can find cleaning stations equipped with disinfecting wipes, gloves, and hand sanitizer, as well as instructions on how to properly wipe down shared furniture, instruments, and equipment in each space.

Campus spaces are cleaned and disinfected by Berklee professional custodial staff from ACME in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Berklee has rented space at 1120 Boylston Street to support the de-densification of its campus. This facility provides 30 new practice spaces to students participating in the hybrid semester.