Read Smith’s plans for the fall 2021 semester.
Current Operating Mode: GREEN
Smith College A Culture of Care
COVID-19 Response Plan
Following extensive benchmarking, planning and analysis, Smith College is preparing to welcome students back to campus for the spring 2021 semester. The college’s “Culture of Care” COVID-19 Response Plan underscores the core value that must guide every member of the Smith community—caring for ourselves and for one another to promote a safe and healthy campus environment.
Fall & Summer 2021 Plans
Please note: The content on this page refers to Smith’s current plan for the spring 2021 semester.
Smith College is preparing for a fully in-person fall 2021 semester and has announced measures and guidelines to help promote a safe and healthy campus environment. During the summer, the campus will run limited operations to support in-person student internships and work, faculty research and precollege programming.
Current Status: GREEN |
|
|---|---|
| Summary | COVID rates on campus are low and do not appear to be increasing. |
| Residential Life | On-campus students may visit other on-campus students’ rooms and houses (limited to two guests in residential room). Kitchens available via sign-up, common spaces available during designated hours. Food and grocery delivery drivers may not enter building; recipient must meet delivery driver outside. |
| Dining | Open, limited internal seating. |
| Learning Mode | In-class and remote |
| Testing | Regular testing required for all students, on-campus faculty and staff. |
A Return to a Residential Campus
For the spring 2021 semester, the college will welcome to campus most if not all students who wish to return. The college is prepared to host as many as 1,830 undergraduate students based on the availability of single rooms and designated quarantine space. Any student who wishes to study remotely may do so without penalty.
A Primarily Remote Learning Model
Based on surveys of faculty, about half of spring courses will be remote only, while the other half will be offered as “enhanced remote.” Enhanced remote courses will incorporate some in-person meetings, which may include office hours, small-group discussions, labs, and projects with the Smith College Museum of Art, Botanic Garden or other campus partners. A small number of performance and lab courses will be fully in-person with appropriate safety protocols. Note: All courses will be remote for the first two weeks of the term, to allow sufficient time for all returning students to clear testing protocols. Also, depending on pandemic conditions during the term, there may be times when all classes will shift to remote.
Buildings and Campus Areas
Outdoor walkways are open to the public. All visitors are required to wear masks while on campus and maintain physical distancing of 6 feet. Please visit the operational mode tables for information about specific building access.
BUILDING ACCESS (GREEN/YELLOW/RED MODES)An Adaptive Health and Safety Program
Smith’s operations—including academic delivery, dining and recreational offerings—will follow the college’s COVID-19 operating plan, which designates three potential operating modes: green (low risk), yellow (moderate risk) and red (high risk). Operating modes will change based on local and campus health and safety conditions.
Engaging Co-curricular Offerings and Traditional Events
This spring, students can expect primarily virtual recreational opportunities, social gatherings, leadership workshops and more. A small number of offerings will be in-person, including health and wellness opportunities, cultural programming and more.
Regular Coronavirus Screenings
Students and employees who are either in residence or approved to spend time on campus are required to participate in the college’s COVID-19 screening program. Students will be screened three times per week until further notice and employees up to twice per week. Aggregated screening results will be reported via the college’s Coronavirus Screening Activity dashboard, which will be activated in January.
PolicyPath App
As part of our COVID-19 health and safety practices, we are rolling out a smartphone app called PolicyPath. All members of the Smith COVID-19 asymptomatic screening program are now expected to use this app on a daily basis to document compliance with campus health practices; test results will be delivered via this app.
For details see PolicyPath on the Digital Support site.