Dear students and adjunct faculty:
I write today with an update about our summer terms. We know that many students are eager to return to campus. The college has developed a careful plan to bring students and faculty onto campus this spring and is working to extend this planning into this summer terms while understanding that the situation is dynamic and changing and that vaccine rollout may impact our plans.
Much has been learned from colleges across the country during their fall and spring terms about how to manage health safety risks posed by COVID-19. In particular, we know that campuses with strong coronavirus management programs—asymptomatic testing, isolation of people who test positive, timely contact tracing and quarantine of close contacts— can keep coronavirus transmission extremely low. We have also learned of the powerful impact of recommended public health strategies—wearing masks or approved face coverings, hand washing, physical distancing and de-densified indoor spaces. All indicators suggest that these practices and protocols will continue to be required through the summer. By combining these strategies with single-room housing for every student and adjunct faculty member and enhanced cleaning protocols, we believe that the School will be able to welcome most students and adjunct faculty back to live on campus and in the Northampton area.
Later today, Associate Dean Irene Rodriguez-Martin will send a survey asking students and adjunct faculty members to confirm their plans to reside in the area and/or on campus by February 24. In advance of that commitment, we are providing information to help you make the decision that is right for you.
Mode of Instruction: As we have previously shared, in support of equity in learning opportunities, the School will offer all of its summer 2021 classes remotely.
On-Campus Housing: Based on our preliminary survey responses, any student or adjunct faculty member who would like to be housed on campus this summer, can be housed on campus.
Arrival on Campus: Students who elect to live on campus will be assigned to arrive in one of three phases: Friday, June 4; Saturday, June 5 or Sunday, June 6. We anticipate that proof of testing will continue to be required before moving to Northampton . There will be a set of health protocols in places for the first few weeks of Term 1 as folks from outside of Massachusetts arrive in Northampton.
Living off-campus: Students and adjunct faculty may continue to rent accommodations in the Northampton area. Students and adjunct faculty who wish to access campus buildings will need to participate in the testing program and comply with all restrictions.
Testing and Treatment: We will require twice-weekly asymptomatic testing for all students and adjunct faculty who either live on campus or wish to access campus facilities this summer. Full compliance with the testing program will be non-negotiable and a requirement of accessing any campus buildings. Further, all members of the Smith community accessing the campus will be asked to monitor their health on a daily basis and to seek medical treatment if they feel ill.
- Any student or adjunct faculty member in our testing program who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate according to the requirements specified by state and local health regulations and outlined in the college’s operating modes.
- Any student or adjunct faculty member who becomes ill with COVID-19 will be assigned to separate isolation housing.
Masks or Other Approved Face Coverings will be required at all times and in every shared space on campus because we know these work in preventing the spread of the virus.
Statement of Shared Responsibility: Before arriving on campus, students will be required to sign a statement of shared responsibility. We encourage you to read and understand the potential consequences of failing to abide by our campus public health requirements.
Day-to-day Life on Campus will be guided by green/yellow/red operating modes for the campus with the progression of colors designating least to most restrictive measures. The operating mode will be determined by the college in accordance with pandemic conditions on our campus, in the city of Northampton, in Hampshire county and in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. For example, if campus and local COVID-19 rates are low and well managed, and we are all complying with masking and social distancing, the campus will likely operate under the “green” designation, allowing students and faculty to use common spaces and meet in small groups. If increasing COVID-19 positivity rates or other monitored metrics necessitate the college to shift to a more cautious “yellow” designation, those kinds of group activities will no longer be permitted for the duration of the "yellow" mode. In red mode, students and faculty living on campus will be required to stay in their rooms except when being tested and picking up meals and there will be very limited campus access for those living off campus. You can see the application of the college’s modes for the spring semester here. The college will update and/or revise these modes for the summer terms as the time approaches, but we do not anticipate any significant changes. We expect that, like the spring term, for the first few weeks of Term 1 we will be in the initial operating mode, Blue where there are particular protocols in place to bring individuals from outside of Massachusetts to the Northampton area.
We want to welcome students and adjunct faculty back to campus. At the same time, it is important to note that some uncertainty remains about the trajectory of COVID-19 cases and the spread of mutations of the virus in the coming months. I encourage students/adjuncts to approach any campus travel arrangements or ticket purchases with caution and, whenever possible, ensure that travel-related purchases can be refunded. Our plans for the summer could be adapted more flexibly or restrictively at any point based on changes in the pandemic or if federal, state or local regulations change.
We have scheduled a webinar for Thursday, February 18 at 5 p.m. to answer questions about on campus housing and limitations. You may request the link to join the webinar here.
Take care and be well,
Marianne RM Yoshioka, MBA, Ph.D., LCSW
Dean and Elizabeth Marting Treuhaft Professor
Co-editor, Smith College Studies in Social Work
Smith College School for Social Work
