Today, President McCartney sent out an email to the Smith community announcing that, to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 on campus, students, unless they had “no option” but to stay, would need to leave campus by Friday, March 20. “Alternate modes of instruction” would be offered starting March 30, with spring recess extended a week until March 29. Classes will continue until Friday, March 13. Smith students studying are instructed to stay where they are. So far, there have been no cases of COVID-19 on campus.
Today, President McCartney sent out an email to the Smith community announcing that, to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 on campus, students, unless they had “no option” but to stay, would need to leave campus by Friday, March 20. “Alternate modes of instruction” would be offered starting March 30, with spring recess extended a week until March 29. Classes will continue until Friday, March 13. Smith students studying are instructed to stay where they are. So far, there have been no cases of COVID-19 on campus.
“You may be wondering why we are making this decision now, given that there are no known cases on our campus and few cases in Massachusetts,” McCartney said in the email. “We believe that spring recess travel presents a potential threat to Smith. Because so many members of our community are planning to leave, their return, from many places, could present a significantly increased risk of exposure to the virus.”
Many students on campus wondered where they were going to go next.
“Most Adas don’t have a home to go home to,” Natalie Najman ’AC ’21 said. “This is our home; we don’t have a bedroom somewhere waiting for us. And losing our jobs, our work-study, how will we pay our bills?”
International students worried about going back home.
“I’m upset. It’s super complicated, being European,” Elsie Freemont, a senior from France who was studying at Smith. “As soon as you’ve adjusted to the U.S. You need to leave. And we need to go back to a place that isn’t safe.”
According to a continuously updated FAQ, students going home will be reimbursed for room and board. The college will also work on a case by case basis with students remaining on campus about when they should leave as well as those who would be affected by losing their work-study.
“Each and every Smith department and team is working to address the ramifications of COVID-19,” McCartney said. “For example, the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness is preparing to support sick and well students; dining services is transitioning from self to plated service; facilities has implemented enhanced cleaning protocols across campus; Information Technology Services has mobilized all hands on deck to support the shift in academic and administrative operations; and so much more. We are fortunate to be a part of such a committed community.”
“Importantly, the college is not closing,” she said. “We will continue to offer the services necessary to meet our core academic mission and serve the needs of our community.”
Today, President McCartney sent out an email to the Smith community announcing that, to prevent an outbreak of COVID-19 on campus, students, unless they had “no option” but to stay, would need to leave campus by Friday, March 20. “Alternate modes of instruction” would be offered starting March 30, with spring recess extended a week until March 29. Classes will continue until Friday, March 13. Smith students studying are instructed to stay where they are. So far, there have been no cases of COVID-19 on campus.
“You may be wondering why we are making this decision now, given that there are no known cases on our campus and few cases in Massachusetts,” McCartney said in the email. “We believe that spring recess travel presents a potential threat to Smith. Because so many members of our community are planning to leave, their return, from many places, could present a significantly increased risk of exposure to the virus.”
Many students on campus wondered where they were going to go next.
“Most Adas don’t have a home to go home to,” Natalie Najman ’AC ’21 said. “This is our home; we don’t have a bedroom somewhere waiting for us. And losing our jobs, our work-study, how will we pay our bills?”
International students worried about going back home.
“I’m upset. It’s super complicated, being European,” Elsie Freemont, a senior from France who was studying at Smith. “As soon as you’ve adjusted to the U.S. You need to leave. And we need to go back to a place that isn’t safe.”
According to a continuously updated FAQ, students going home will be reimbursed for room and board. The college will also work on a case by case basis with students remaining on campus about when they should leave as well as those who would be affected by losing their work-study.
“Each and every Smith department and team is working to address the ramifications of COVID-19,” McCartney said. “For example, the Schacht Center for Health and Wellness is preparing to support sick and well students; dining services is transitioning from self to plated service; facilities has implemented enhanced cleaning protocols across campus; Information Technology Services has mobilized all hands on deck to support the shift in academic and administrative operations; and so much more. We are fortunate to be a part of such a committed community.”
“Importantly, the college is not closing,” she said. “We will continue to offer the services necessary to meet our core academic mission and serve the needs of our community.”
