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COVID-19 Information

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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith community members have worked together to protect all those on campus. Our protocols are developed by the COVID Incidence Response Team (CIRT), whose members include representatives from Facilities, Finance and Administration, College Relations and Communications, Human Resources, Information Technology, the President's Office, the Provost's Office, Student Affairs, and the Schacht Center. CIRT uses data from the CDC and local and regional authorities as well as comparisons of similar college protocols to make recommendations to the COVID Executive Group (COVEx), which includes cabinet members and the president of the college. Protocols change as needed based on the status of COVID-19 transmission and activities of the college. With prudent protocols and thoughtful action by the community, we can maintain a safe and caring learning and working environment for us all. Questions can be sent to covid19info@smith.edu.

What You Need to Know

All students, staff, faculty, and visitors must follow Smith College’s COVID-related health and safety policies. If you are sick or showing symptoms related to COVID-19, stay home and get tested.

Indoor Masking

  • Masking is optional and welcomed everywhere on campus.
  • Masks are required in the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness and the COVID-19 Testing Center.
  • When masking, please wear well-fitting masks. Both KN-95 and surgical masks are available at the Testing Center.
  • Please be supportive of those who choose to wear a mask.

Testing

  • Optional once-per-week testing for students and employees not experiencing symptoms is available at the Campus Center.
  • Students, staff and faculty who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should take a rapid test and a PCR at the self-service testing kiosk at the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness.

When: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Campus Center, Lower Level, Room 004 (formerly the Smith bookstore)

Who: Current students, staff and faculty.

SCHEDULE AN ASYMPTOMATIC TEST

Please note: Those who need access to asymptomatic PCR testing outside of the testing site's open hours can pick up a self-collection kit at the vending machine located at the lower level of the Campus Center.

When: Monday–Thursday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Self-collection kiosk at the Schacht Center, back entrance adjacent to the parking lot.

Who: Current students, staff and faculty exhibiting any symptoms related to COVID-19.

How: All symptomatic tests will be self-administered. Symptomatic individuals should submit a PCR test using the self-collection test kits available in a box next to the kiosk. Symptomatic individuals will also take a rapid antigen test. Instructions on use and reporting will be at the kiosk.


Policies and Guidelines

Recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Updated November 17, 2022

  • If you are not feeling well, stay home and take a rapid antigen test.
  • Consult the CDC guidelines for up-to-date travel and health guidance.
  • If you travel or have been in large group activities, we recommend that you test before returning to campus or take a rapid antigen test immediately upon your return and take a COVID-19 PCR test at the Campus Center testing site within 48–72 hours of your return. Click here to book an appointment. We urge you to exercise caution, such as wearing a mask in group settings, until you receive a negative PCR test result.
 

Vaccination

Updated September 12, 2022

All members of the Smith College community are required to receive all COVID-19 vaccine doses in the primary series as well as one booster. Students are required, and employees are strongly encouraged, to be up to date with additional COVID-19 boosters, per CDC recommendations. Exceptions will be considered on medical or religious grounds.

All visitors must be vaccinated, with exceptions for visitors and vendors that would not meet the CDC definition of a “close contact” (less than 6 feet away from a Smith community member for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period). Smith community members who invite visitors to campus are responsible for communicating the college’s vaccination requirement to them.

The college reserves the right to amend these policies as needed based on public health guidance, and in compliance with local, state and federal law.


Tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms? Here’s what to do.

STOP: If you have tested positive for COVID-19, either through a rapid or PCR test administered somewhere other than the Smith College testing program, contact testingandtracing@smith.edu immediately.

Note: The below instructions only apply to fully vaccinated individuals. Those who have received approved exemptions from vaccinations or who are eligible for but have not yet received a booster should follow the instructions provided by the testing and tracing team.

  1. A contact tracer will notify you of your test result and perform a state-required interview.
  2. Isolate for 5 days.
    • Contact tracers will work with individuals living on campus to identify an appropriate isolation space and place the student on a short term medical absence if needed.
    • Individuals living on campus who test positive and can get home via a personal vehicle may work with Health Services to determine whether they can complete their isolation at their off-campus home. Please speak with a Schacht Center for Health and Wellness staff member before leaving campus.
    • Employees and individuals living off campus should isolate at home and notify their supervisor that they will be home for at least five days.
  3. On your fifth day of isolation, if your symptoms are improving, you have been fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication, and you have not been advised by a medical provider to isolate longer:
    • Students may exit isolation and must continue to mask and use only grab-and-go dining for an additional five days. 
    • Employees may return to their regular work schedule and must continue to mask for an additional five days.
  4. Following isolation, do not participate in the Smith College PCR testing program for 90 days.

Reminder

This guidance only applies to fully vaccinated individuals. Those who have received approved exemptions from vaccinations or who are eligible for but have not yet received a booster must quarantine at home.

  1. Students should continue attending class and employees should continue working, but must wear a mask around others for 10 full days and monitor themselves for any COVID-related symptoms. Employees are encouraged to discuss the option for remote work with their supervisors during this period.
  2. If asymptomatic, complete a required PCR test on day 5 following exposure. A contact tracer will provide close contacts with the exact date to be tested.
  3. If COVID-like symptoms develop, contact the Schacht Center immediately at 413.585.2250 to schedule a symptomatic test.
  1. Do not test at the Campus Center test site if you have symptoms associated with COVID.
  2. Students and employees who develop symptoms should submit a PCR test to the self-collection kiosk (see details in the “Self-Collection Kiosk (Symptomatic)” section above. They may also access an antigen test at the kiosk to administer at home. Employees or students who develop symptoms Friday - Sunday and do not have access to a home antigen test should email testingandtracing@smith.edu who can assist them in acquiring a test on campus. 
  3. Anyone who tests positive using an antigen test should email testingandtracing@smith.edu as soon as possible, and follow the instructions under the “I have tested positive for COVID-19” section.
  4. Do not attend class or work until your symptoms have improved and you have received a negative rapid antigen or PCR test result. Wear a mask at all times.

If you believe you have been exposed outside of your presence on campus and are asymptomatic, wear a mask around others for 10 full days and monitor yourself for any COVID-related symptoms. Complete a PCR test on day 5 following exposure.


Case Data

Weekly Cases on Campus


To the Community

COVID-19 Recommendations Following Winter Break

December 12, 2022 | CIRT Update, COVID Response, Fall 2022

COVID-19 Policy Changes

September 14, 2022 | CIRT Update, COVID Response, Fall 2022

COVID-19 Protocol Update

November 3, 2022 | CIRT Update, COVID Response, Fall 2022

Important Updates to COVID Protocols

September 13, 2022 | COVID Response, Fall 2022, Presidential Letters 21-22

Updates to Masking and Testing Protocols

October 17, 2022 | CIRT Update, COVID Response, Fall 2022

Letters to the Community

Letters to Students

Letters to Staff

Letters to Faculty

Letters to Alumnae

 

Contact

More Information
Email: covid19info@smith.edu
For questions about testing and tracing, please email testingandtracing@smith.edu.