Read Smith’s UPDATED plans as of August 5, 2020,
for an entirely remote fall 2020 semester.
Smith College A Culture of Care
COVID-19 Response Plan
Throughout the spring and summer of 2020, staff, students and faculty across the college developed a plan for Smith’s response to COVID-19—a plan with health and safety, students’ education and the Smith experience at the center. That plan, titled “A Culture of Care,” underscores the core value that must guide every member of the Smith community—caring for ourselves and for one another.
Smith’s plan will continue to evolve in response to emerging local, state and federal public health guidance.
Announcements
A case of COVID-19 in the Smith community was confirmed on August 27, 2020
For more information, please read this letter and monitor the COVID-19 Reporting Dashboard.
Fall 2020 Semester Changes
As noted in President McCartney’s letter of August 5, 2020, the college announced that it will switch to a fully remote fall 2020 semester.
Remote Support Resources Available for Students
Please visit the Remote Support Resources website for information on remote academic and personal support.
A Redesigned Online-Only Learning Model
Smith faculty members have invested time and resources in redesigning their courses to deliver an outstanding remote academic experience and are dedicated to ensuring a meaningful engagement with the materials and methods of their disciplines.
A Flexible Schedule
Students may elect to take three—versus four—courses in the fall term, for a total of 12 credits, and can take an additional four credits during a six-week, remote-only January/February interterm.
Increased Access to Faculty Advisers
Faculty advisers will continue to be in frequent contact with advisees, ready to provide guidance not only in the selection of courses but also about the wide range of support services the college offers for all students. Additional advising around the cocurricular experience will be available.
A Commitment to Support and Equity
We are committed to providing broad technology support, with a particular emphasis on students whose access to technology and connectivity is limited by their financial or residential circumstances. Financial aid packages will be reevaluated to ensure every student equitable access to the learning experience.
Engaging Cocurricular Offerings and Traditional Events
This fall, students can expect virtual recreational opportunities, health and wellness programs, leadership workshops and more, in addition to remotely experiencing traditional college events like Convocation, presidential colloquia and Mountain Day.
Twice-weekly Coronavirus Screenings
Students approved to be in residence on or near campus and approved on-campus employees are being tested twice-weekly and results are reported on the Coronavirus Screening Activity dashboard.
| Building Name | Details |
|---|---|
| Administrative Buildings | Closed to the public. On-campus employee and student access only. |
| Campus Center | Closed to the public. Limited hours and capacity for approved on-campus employee and student access only. |
| Campus Center Post Office | Information to come. |
| Conference Center | No external events or visitors. |
| Libraries | Closed to the public. Contactless pickup only, see details. Special Collection access by appointment. |
| Lyman Plant House | Closed to all visitors. Academic use by appointment. |
| Residential Houses | Only open to students assigned to each house. No off-campus or overnight guests. |
| Smith College Museum of Art | Closed to the public. Academic use by appointment. |
| Student Affinity Spaces | Unity House, Helen Hills Hills Chapel, Kosher Kitchen, the Mwangi Cultural Center, and the Resource Center for Sexuality and Gender are closed for the fall semester. |
| Print and Copy Services | Open for Smith production needs. Contact copyprint@smith.edu. |
| Center for Early Childhood Education | Closed for the fall semester. |
| Campus School | Information to come. |
| Bookstore | All business done remotely. See: www.smithcollegeshop.com |
| Outdoor athletic facilities (including the tennis courts and track) | Open to any member of the Smith community; closed to the public. Masks must be worn at all times and physical distancing must be practiced. |
Please note: Outdoor walkways are open to the public. All visitors are required to wear masks while on campus and maintain physical distancing of 6 feet.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| August 28 | Personal leaves of absence requests due from returning students |
| September 1 | First day of classes |
| October 12-13 | Fall Break |
| December 8 | Last day of instruction |
| January 4–Feb 11 | Interterm instruction (remote) |
CIRT Membership
- Anne-Marie Szmyt, Associate Vice President for Human Resources
- Borjana Mikic, Associate Dean for Integrative Learning
- David DeSwert, Vice President for Finance and Administration
- Dano Weisbord, Executive Director of Sustainability and Campus Planning
- Julianne D. Ohotnicky, Associate Dean of the College/Dean of Students
- Joanna Olin, Chief of Staff
- James Gray, Associate Vice President for Facilities & Operations
- Marianne Yoshioka, Dean of the Smith College School for Social Work
- Samuel Masinter, Interim Vice President for Public Affairs
- Samantha Earp, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
- Hélène Visentin, Associate Dean of the Faculty
- Kris Evans, Interim Director of Schacht Center for Health and Wellness
Finance Membership
- Membership: Members of ACRA/CMP
- Kathleen McCartney, President, Chair
- David DeSwert, VP for Finance and Administration, Chair
- Michael Thurston, Provost and Dean of the Faculty, Vice Chair
- Camille Bacon ’21, SGA selected representative
- Darcy Buerkle, Associate Professor of History and Faculty Council
- Betsy Carpenter, Associate Vice President for Development
- Samantha Earp, Vice President for Information Technology
- Rick Fantasia, Barbara Richmond 1940 Professor in the Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology and Faculty Council
- Laurie Fenlason, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
- Bosiljka Glumac, Professor of Geosciences and Faculty Council
- Kate Gola, Director of Budgets and Financial Planning
- Saari Greylock, Senior Academic Budget Manager
- Kristin Hughes, Director of Athletics
- Susan Levin, Roe/Straut Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Philosophy
- Mahnaz Mahdavi, Professor of Economics and Faculty Council
- Katie McGarry AC, SGA selected representative
- Esther Mejia ’21, SGA President
- Borjana Mikic, Associate Dean for Integrative Learning
- Madelyn Neely, Administrative Coordinator School for Social Work
- Joanna Olin, Chief of Staff
- Bill Peterson, Associate Provost and Dean of Faculty
- Beth Raffeld, Senior Vice President for Alumnae Relations and Development
- Danielle Carr Ramdath, Dean of the Senior Class
- John Singler, Associate Vice President for ITS (Enterprise Application & Data Services)
- Audrey Smith, Vice President for Enrollment
- Anne-Marie Szmyt, Associate Vice President for Human Resources
- Baishakhi Taylor, Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of the College
- Hélène Visentin, Professor of French Studies and Associate Dean of the Faculty/Dean for Academic Development
- Susan Voss, Chaired Professor of Engineering
- Frazer Ward, Associate Professor of Art and Faculty Council Chair
- Dano Weisbord, Executive Director, Sustainability and Campus Planning
- Greg White, Mary Huggins Gamble Professor of Government
Enrollment and Financial Aid Membership
- Audrey Smith, Vice President for Enrollment, Chair
- Dave Belanger, Director of Student Financial Service
- Gretchen Herringer, Registrar
- Danielle Carr Ramdath, Dean of the Senior Class and Associate Dean of the College
- Kate Gola, Director of Budgets and Financial Planning
- Julie Ohotnicky, Dean of Students and Associate Dean of the College
- Rebecca Hovey, Dean for International Study
- Hélène Visentin, Associate Dean of the Faculty
Academic Program Membership
- Michael Barresi, Professor of Biological Sciences
- Samantha Earp, Vice President for Information Technology
- Michael Gorra, Mary Augusta Jordan Professor of English Language and Literature
- Gretchen Herringer, Registrar
- Susan Levin, Roe/Straut Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Philosophy
- Sara Pruss, Professor of Geosciences and Director of the Sherrerd Center for Teaching & Learning
- Danielle Ramdath, Dean of the Senior Class and Associate Dean of the College
- Michael Thurston, Provost and Dean of the Faculty, Chair
- Susan Voss, Achilles Professor of Engineering
- Dano Weisbord, Executive Director, Sustainability and Campus Planning
- Greg White, Mary Huggins Gamble Professor of Government
Campus Life Membership
- Baishakhi Taylor, Dean of the College and Vice President for Campus Life, Co-Chair
- Julie Ohotnicky, Dean of Students and Associate Dean of the College, Co-Chair
- Floyd Cheung, Vice president for Inclusion and Equity
- Scott Richards, Assistant Vice President for Facilities and Grounds
- Andy Cox, Director of Dining Services
- Hannah Durrant, Director of Residence Life
- Kris Mereigh, Associate Director, Wellness Education
- Kristin Hughes, Director of Athletics
Health Practices Membership
- Kris Evans, Interim Director of the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness, Associate Director for Counseling Services, Co-Chair
- Jim Gray, Associate Vice President for Facilities & Operations, Co-Chair
- Tara Dumont, College Physician
- Laura Rauscher, Disability Services Director
- Benita Jackson, Professor of Psychology
- Rob Dorit, Professor of Biological Sciences
- Corey Lynch, Environmental Health & Safety Manager