Fall 2021 Plan

What coronavirus health and safety protocols will be in place for the fall semester?
The college will review our current COVID-19 health and safety protocols throughout the summer. We will update these based on federal guidelines and state regulations and expect to have more specific information to share by August at the latest.

UPDATED: What vaccines does Smith accept for their vaccine requirement for students and employees?
Based on the current guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, we will accept full courses of World Health Organization–approved vaccines to fulfill our student and employee vaccination requirement, in addition to U.S.-approved vaccines, until further notice. Those students arriving only partially vaccinated or who have been vaccinated with nonapproved vaccines should work with the Schacht Center to determine how to meet the college’s requirement.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently considers people to be fully vaccinated if they are two weeks past the final dose of these vaccines.

If I am fully vaccinated with a vaccine that is not FDA- or WHO-listed, what will I need to do when I arrive at Smith?
The college is awaiting clear guidance on this question and will continue to monitor state, CDC and WHO guidance. It is possible that those who received full doses of international vaccines may be asked to revaccinate based on CDC guidance available in late summer. If you need to be vaccinated upon arrival, the Schacht Center will assist you. If you have questions, students should contact the Schacht Center at healthservices@smith.edu or (413) 585-2250; employees should contact Human Resources at hr@smith.edu.

If I have only received one dose of a vaccine upon arrival, can I get the second dose at Smith after I arrive?
The Schacht Center for Health and Wellness will assist students who need to be vaccinated upon arrival with either the first or second doses. If you arrive having only received the first dose of a vaccine that is not on the FDA or WHO lists, you will need to restart your vaccination process with a U.S. vaccine. At this time, CDC guidance indicates that you should restart your re-vaccination schedule in the U.S. at least 28 days after your last dose of the nonapproved vaccine. If you have questions, students should contact the Schacht Center at healthservices@smith.edu or 413-585-2250; employees should contact Human Resources at hr@smith.edu.

Will COVID vaccines be required by the fall for students?
Yes. Smith College will require all students to be fully vaccinated by the date they arrive on campus for the fall semester, including Five College students, high school students and auditors who take courses on Smith’s campus. Students should verify that they are fully vaccinated before their fall 2021 arrival by uploading vaccine records to the Schacht Center’s confidential patient portal. Instructions can be found on the center’s website. As with other required vaccinations, requests for medical or religious exemptions will be reviewed and accommodated on a case-by-case basis. The college will help international students or others who cannot get a U.S.-approved full vaccination prior to arrival to meet this requirement. Smith will have additional details about the overall return-to-campus process, including the vaccination requirement, by mid-June.

Will COVID vaccines be required by the fall for employees?
The college will require all employees to be fully vaccinated by August 1, 2021, including casual employees and Five College faculty and staff who teach or work on Smith’s campus. Requests for medical or religious exemptions will be reviewed and accommodated on a case-by-case basis. It is our hope that these vaccination requirements for all employees will provide additional protection for those in our community and be reassuring to individuals as we begin to return to campus in August.

Information on confirming vaccination status can be found in the June 9th letter to the community.

What is the status of study abroad for fall 2021?
The Office for International Study is offering conditional approval for study abroad in a limited number of countries. This decision is based on an extensive review of the pandemic risk for study abroad, which includes an assessment of each program’s COVID-19 contingency plans and protocols, refund policies, academic continuity guarantees and coronavirus precautions in program-regulated housing. Continued approval of these destinations is contingent upon ongoing monitoring of COVID-19 public health metrics and indications that the risk is low or moderate based on global health criteria. Up to date information on the programs can be found on the Study Abroad website.

What does in-person instruction mean?
Classes will be held on campus in classrooms, labs, studios and other facilities.

Will the college be flexible in allowing gap years for admitted students?
Smith allows students to request a gap year or semester (for fall 2022 or January 2022 entrance). Requests should be sent to admission@smith.edu by June 1. Students requesting a gap year or semester should include a plan for their semester or year with their request.

Will all students be invited back to campus in the fall?
Yes, we are planning for a fully in-person fall, and we plan to invite all students back to campus.

Will students have the choice to attend in-person or remotely as they did this spring?
No. All students will be expected to attend in person.

If pandemic conditions force a change of plans before the semester begins, will the college reimburse students for travel expenses?
No. The college is unable to reimburse students for travel expenses and encourages all students to book flexible, refundable travel in the event that pandemic conditions worsen.

As we return to a fully in-person fall semester, we expect that the vast majority of students will live on campus.

Will students be required to live on campus?
We expect all students to return to on-campus living unless they have been granted off-campus approval through the Off-Campus Lottery or Petition to Live Off-Campus processes managed by Residence Life, confirmed for study away/abroad programs or granted a leave of absence.

Will all students live in singles?
Residences will return to their traditional density.

How can students request housing accommodations?
The June 1 deadline for requesting housing accommodations has passed. If you require emergency housing accommodations, please contact the Office of Disability Services for further information.

When will I receive my housing assignment?
Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors will select their housing through our annual Room Draw process. New students will receive their room assignments in early August.

How do I apply to live off-campus?
Students may continue to request off-campus housing status via the Petition to Live-Off-Campus (all class years), which is available in your Residence Life Self-Service and will be reviewed on a rolling basis through August 1. Spaces are limited. Students who apply for off-campus housing status through the Petition to Live Off-Campus must meet certain criteria for approval (e.g., be living at home within 20 miles of campus, be married or in a civil union, have a substantial change to financial status, have a medical/mental health need approved by ODS or be experiencing extenuating circumstances). Further documentation to support your request may be required. Entering first-year students and rising sophomores are rarely approved.

Is the college adjusting its pricing structure for 2021–22 in response to COVID-19?
No.

How much will room and board cost for the fall? How much will tuition cost?
Tuition, housing and meal costs are available via Student Financial Services.

Will staff and faculty return to on-campus work?
Yes. Staff and faculty will be expected to return to on-campus work during August or September. Managers will work with their teams to set up a return to work schedule within the time frame set out by HR. The process and timeline will be communicated over the summer.

Who should employees contact if they have questions or concerns regarding the return to work process?
As always, employees should work with their supervisors and the Office of Human Resources to discuss workplace concerns.