Letter to Students, March 10, 2020

Dear Smith College Residential Students,

We are writing this email as a follow up to President McCartney’s March 10 message. I am sure the news was difficult to hear for many of you. Please know we are thinking about you all and are here for you in the coming days.

Below are important details as you make plans to depart campus. Please read thoroughly.

While academic coursework will continue in alternative ways, you should be packing your room like it is the end of the semester. All of your personal belongings must be removed from your room when you leave.
Trunk rooms will be unlocked tonight. Please recognize that there is limited space in the trunk rooms. Trunk room guidelines state that each student can store up to 5 items. We recognize that there are extenuating circumstances where students need to store between 1-5 additional items. Please use this privilege responsibly and sparingly. All items stored must abide by trunk room guidelines which you can find here: https://www.smith.edu/student-life/residence-life/living/break-housing/storage.
We will not be distributing trunk room stickers. All items must be labeled with the following information: Name, class year, current date, date you intend to retrieve belongings. Smith College is not responsible for any missing or damaged items left in trunk rooms.
We STRONGLY encourage students to consider off-campus storage options. Our preferred vendor is Boomerang Storage with whom we have already coordinated a rough plan about off-campus storage logistics. You can find more information about Boomerang Storage here: https://www.boomerangstorage.com/.
We have free boxes and tape for students to use as they pack. You can stop by Clark Hall between 8:30-4:30 Wednesday-Friday of this week to pick up these items.
Later this evening and tomorrow your residence life student staff will be distributing key envelopes and closing bulletins. When you leave campus, please return your keys to Clark Hall (there is a key drop box on the front porch if Clark Hall is closed). If you lose your envelope, there are spare envelopes at Clark Hall and in the dropbox for you to use. The last resident to vacate a room or apartment should post the closing bulletin on the door before leaving.
Please take all trash down to the trash rooms or dumpster by your houses.
All students need to vacate houses by midnight on March 20. Students that need to stay must complete the form at the below link by noon on March 17. It is the College’s goal to respond to students’ requests to stay on campus within 48 hours. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZTPVDyaoz3pw6qeh9LupB_6YK0zrSa4lXmuBJT2-KM-L5FQ/viewform
Bicycles must be locked in appropriate places on campus (not on trees, ramps etc). Some houses have designated bike storage or locations in basements where bikes can be stored. Please make sure bikes are not blocking egresses or mechanical systems.
Room Draw for next year will continue as planned as it is a completely online system. Look for emails from reslife@smith.edu for updates and do not hesitate to email if you have questions.
If you have questions about leaving campus, please do not hesitate to email reslife@smith.edu or call 413-585-4940.
Decisions have not been made about summer housing or other summer programs. More information will be distributed in the coming weeks about this.

I want to acknowledge that this is an incredibly challenging time. While our in-person time together is being abbreviated, our virtual connections are just ramping up. This is new territory for many of us and we thank you ahead of time for your patience, cooperation and understanding. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Questions related to Housing: reslife@smith.edu

Questions related to COVID-19 and changes in program: covid19info@smith.edu.

Sincerely,

Julianne Ohotnicky
Associate Dean of the College/Dean of Students

Hannah Durrant
Director of Residence Life