May 24 Weekly CIRT Campus Update

CIRT Update

Published May 24, 2021

Dear students, staff and faculty:

Below, please find important campus, regional and national updates from the COVID-19 Incident Response Team (CIRT).

Campus Status

The campus is currently operating in GREEN mode. For an explanation of the college’s color-coded operating modes, please visit Status & Operating Modes.

Over the past seven days, there have been zero positive cases of COVID-19 reported through the on-campus campus screening program. For more data on the screening program, please visit Coronavirus Screening.

Updated Mask Guidelines

Consistent with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts rescinding its outdoor masking order as of May 29, the college will no longer require that masks be worn outdoors beginning Saturday, May 29.

Community Forum

We look forward to seeing you in our bi-weekly community update meeting on Wednesday at https://smith.zoom.us/j/93293837876 (Smith login required)

Commencement Update

Last week, the college was notified that elements of the state’s COVID-19 regulation of higher education will expire on May 29, 2021. In recognition of this change, graduating students were notified of the following two changes to Commencement:

  • Graduating students may now invite two guests to the 2 p.m. outdoor, post-Commencement lunch. Please note that this lunch will not be held in the event of inclement weather. The college will share further details shortly.
  • Consistent with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts rescinding its outdoor masking order as of May 29, masks will be optional for the Commencement ceremonies if they are held outdoors. Should the ceremonies be moved indoors due to inclement weather, masks will be required.

Vaccination

Smith is now requiring all students (before the beginning of the fall semester) and employees (before August 1) to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Medical or religious exemptions will be reviewed and accommodated on a case-by-case basis. The process for employees to upload documentation of vaccination or to request an exemption is under development and will be communicated in early June.

Please send any questions to covid19info@smith.edu.

COVID-19 Incident Response Team (CIRT)
covid19info@smith.edu



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