Frequently Asked Questions
Campus Status
Q: Are there any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Smith College?
A: No.
Q: Will COVID-19 affect Commencement or Reunion?
A: Because of the rapidly developing nature of COVID-19’s national and international impact, the college is closely monitoring potential consequences for Commencement, Reunion and other on-campus events. At this time, there are no changes.
Q: Who should I contact if I have questions about COVID-19 at Smith College?
A: Questions about Smith's response to COVID-19 should be sent ot covid19info@smith.edu.
Emergency Planning
Q: How is the college planning for a potential outbreak of COVID-19?
A: The college’s response to COVID-19 is being led by the COVID-19 incident response team, which is meeting daily to set policies for and issue operational guidance to the Smith community in response to the disease.
Q: Does the college have a quarantine protocol in place?
A: Yes. The college’s emergency plans include a pandemic protocol that covers, among other contingencies, the need for various modes of on-campus quarantine.
Study Abroad
Q: How will Smith make decisions about canceling study-abroad programs?
A: The college will suspend operations, including study-abroad programming, in any country whose CDC warning level reaches alert-level 3, indicating the need to avoid nonessential travel.
Q: Has Smith canceled any of its study-abroad programs?
A: Yes. On February 28, the CDC raised Italy’s alert level to 3. Following its protocol, the college closed the Smith in Florence program and made arrangements for students to return home and continue their coursework remotely. Other programs not operated by Smith—but that host Smith students—have also been canceled.
Q: If students wish to leave campus or their study abroad programs out of concern for potential COVID-19 transmission, what steps will the college take to ensure that they can continue their studies?
A: The college will work on a case-by-case basis with any student whose studies are interrupted by restrictions stemming from the spread of COVID-19. Students who voluntarily leave programs that have not been canceled by Smith or by that program’s host institution might not be able to complete their academic coursework for this semester.
Q: Where will students returning from canceled study-abroad programs go?
A: Smith students returning early from study-abroad programs will return to their home locations - not Smith College. Additionally, any student returning from a CDC alert-level 3 country must self-isolate and remain symptom-free for a minimum of 14 days before visiting the Smith campus.
Q: Can students choose to remain in a CDC alert-level 3 country if the college closes their study-abroad program?
A:In order to ensure the safety of our students, and in following CDC guidance, the college will discontinue all programing in CDC alert-level 3 countries and arrange for students to return to their home locations. The college will work towards providing academic continuity to students who repatriate. Students who remain against the college’s guidance do so at significant personal risk and may not be able to leave the country for an extended period due to international travel restrictions - in this case, Smith will be unable to provide any assistance. Additionally, any Smith-sponsored housing in CDC alert level-3 countries will be discontinued and additional housing support will not be provided.
Q: Are there any changes to the application process to study abroad in fall 2020?
A: Yes. The college is no longer approving applications for fall 2020 study-abroad programming in any CDC alert-level 3 country until further notice
Travel
Q: Can students or employees return to campus if they have recently spent time in a country with a CDC level-3 designation?
A: Not immediately. The college now requires any student or employee returning from CDC level-3 countries to self-quarantine and remain symptom-free for a minimum of 14 days before returning to campus. If returning from a CDC alert-level 3 country, students are required to contact their class dean, and employees are required to contact Human Resources.
Q: What will happen to students who are unable to return home for spring recess?
A: The college recognizes that some students will not wish to—or may not be able to—travel over spring break to destinations currently affected by COVID-19. In response to these circumstances, the college is waiving all housing fees for this year’s spring recess for any student who wishes to remain on campus.
Q: Are there any restrictions in place for domestic travel?
A: Domestic travelers are encouraged to monitor and follow guidance from the CDC’s “Information for Travel” page. Non-essential, Smith-funded domestic travel is discouraged.
Q: Are there any restrictions in place for international travel?
A: Yes. No Smith-funded or Smith-related international travel is permitted through May 1, 2020.
Events
Q: Are on-campus events being canceled?
A: Until May 1, the college will limit large gatherings by requiring that events with an expected attendance of 50 or higher be postponed, canceled or, if possible, moved to online delivery methods.
Q: Why has the college chosen an event cap of 50?
A: Recognizing that any specific number may be seen as arbitrary, CIRT chose an event cap of 50 to reflect the dynamic of the Smith community and the size of events hosted on campus.
Health & Prevention
Q: What should students, faculty and staff do to minimize the risk of transmitting the disease on campus?
A: The college strongly recommends following CDC prevention guidelines, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Q: What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?
A: According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing. If you have had close contact with someone showing these symptoms who has recently traveled from an area affected by COVID-19, please follow the guidance below. Do not go in person to any medical provider without first speaking to medical staff over the phone for advice.
Students should call the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness at 413-585-2250. Medical staff are also available outside of normal business hours at 413-585-1260.
Faculty and staff should contact their primary care provider.