Connecticut colleges are preparing to welcome students back into dorms over the next few weeks as parents make decisions about how to keep their kids safe.

Local doctors say how safe dorming is right now depends on where the dorm is.

Dr. Carlos Oliveira specializes in infectious diseases in children. He says Connecticut's low viral reproduction rate is a good sign for campuses.

"Where the reproduction rate is very high, you have a lot of cases all at once, then it becomes very hard to contain that, so the risks for the students become higher," said Oliveira.

He says if a student is headed to a state with more cases, it's important to make sure the school has a plan to limit exposure.

Sacred Heart University is getting the last preparations out of the way for its students to move in. Public safety director Gary McNamara says when students move in this year, they're joining a new family.

"When you're in your dorm room, you're in that family unit, similar to when you're with your family, you're not taking the same precautions," said McNamara.

He says that will help clamp down on outbreaks before they start.

SHU classes are all being offered simultaneously online this year, meaning a hybrid or full-distance model is just a click away if it's needed.