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Date: 12/27/2021
NORTHAMPTON – In response to the increase in COVID-19 cases nationwide and the prevalence of its omicron variant, Smith College announced it would update its health policies for the interterm period between Jan. 3 and 21, 2022.
“Public health conditions are changing rapidly. As you know, we are heading into a period where the vast majority of our community will be traveling for the holidays,” President Kathleen McCartney said in a letter that was also signed by Vice President for Finance and Administration David DeSwert, Dean of the College and Vice President for Campus Life Baishakhi Taylor and Provost and Dean of the Faculty Michael Thurston. “We don’t yet know what conditions will be like at the start of interterm; therefore, we have decided, out of an abundance of caution, to update our Culture of Care plan, beginning Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.”
While interterm courses will take place as scheduled, the college has encouraged its instructors to convert to remote instruction when possible and recommended that students participating in interterm courses to stay at home rather than returning to campus. Those permitted to remain on campus include students who were previously approved to stay during the winter recess, students who cannot return home, students working on research projects and approved curricular and co-curricular work, students who have interterm jobs that require them to be on campus, and students participating in varsity athletics.
The college is also encouraging staff that can work remotely to do so and to host all meetings remotely. Staff on campus will submit to
The Office of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty must now approve any academic-related travel outside of Northampton, even if it has already been booked.
Upon returning, students will be required to immediately take a rapid antigen test and a PCR test with twice weekly testing resuming once they are back on campus. Until a second negative PCR test is taken, students will be required to minimize “nonessential contact.” Meals will be offered to-go with no seating available in the dining rooms; students will be required to eat in their rooms or in other areas where they can socially distance.
McCartney said the college’s “hope” is to offer in-person instruction in the spring, but noted, “we will monitor pandemic conditions locally, regionally and nationally, and adjust our plans accordingly.”
Booster shots will be required for all eligible students by Jan. 22, 2022 or within 30 days of eligibility. Students are currently expected to return to the college by Jan. 22, 2022 in order to receive required rapid and PCR tests. More information about students’ return to school for the spring semester can be found at https://www.smith.edu/about-smith/student-affairs.
“We want to acknowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant uncertainty in our lives, both personally and professionally. We have all been asked to adjust our plans and behavior repeatedly in response to changing risks and guidelines—and we understand how frustrating this has been for everyone. Nevertheless, the Smith community has been resilient, even during the most challenging of times. Let us continue to support and care for one another,” McCartney concluded.