Spring Arrival Planning Update
Dear Students approved for spring on-campus enrollment,
We're writing to share some important spring term planning updates. Please read this carefully so that you can prepare accordingly.
Travel Advice
To reduce the risk of transmission and a campus outbreak as the term begins, we are strongly discouraging unnecessary travel during the break. Students eligible for interim housing (see below) and students currently living locally are strongly encouraged to remain here between the end of exams and March 25th. Students currently residing elsewhere are strongly encouraged to limit contacts to their current household prior to travel, and to defer discretionary travel to sometime later this year when public health conditions have significantly improved. Although there may be light at the end of the tunnel later this year, we must remain vigilant right now to reduce risk to everyone.
Interim Housing Eligibility
As in previous terms this year, interim housing availability is limited to students who have a room assignment on campus now for winter term, and will be in room assignments on campus for spring. Those of you who are eligible will receive a separate message from Undergraduate Housing early next week to let you know how to apply. Because the break is short, the winter term meal plan will be extended through March 25th, making daily meals at 53 Commons available for students with interim housing at no additional charge. Students who choose to leave during the break may not return before their assigned arrival date (see below).
Arrival Dates
To manage the volume of arrivals safely, and to give you time to make travel plans before you receive your actual room assignments from Undergraduate Housing later this month, we are assigning arrival dates now based on House membership (not room assignment).
Those of you who are members of Allen, East Wheelock and South must arrive on Thursday, March 25th between 11 am and 830 pm.
Those of you who are members of North Park, School and West must arrive on Friday, March 26th between 11 am and 830 pm.
As was the case this winter, the first stop on arrival must be Leverone to undergo arrival testing and to officially check in with Residential Life. You may not go to your rooms first - arrival must be to Leverone. As in previous terms, we are in touch with the Dartmouth Coach about adding a stop at Leverone, and FO&M will be available to transport bags from Leverone to campus hubs if needed.
Please note: There will no early or late arrivals. To facilitate arrival testing and an effective arrival quarantine period, you must arrive in the 11 am to 830 pm timeframe on your assigned date. As in previous terms, we encourage you to plan to say your goodbyes from home. Guests are not permitted on campus, and family and friends may not enter any college facilities.
Arrival Quarantine
All students approved for on-campus enrollment will be required to participate in arrival quarantine for the first eight days. This applies whether you will be living on or off-campus, and regardless of where you may have been prior to the arrival date (eg the Upper Valley, New England, within the United States, or international). It also applies regardless of vaccination or test-exemption status.
Phase One
During phase one of arrival quarantine, before your first test results are back, you may only leave your room to use the restroom or for medical care. You will pre-order your meals from DDS for this phase, and DDS will deliver to your residence hall. You will shift from phase one to phase two of quarantinewhen you receive the formal daily release message from the Health Service, after they have confirmed that your first test results are negative. Depending on test results processing by the testing vendor, the Health Service should be able to release you within 24-48 hours of your first test.
Phase Two
After you are released to phase two, you will pick up your meals twice a day at assigned DDS meal pick-up locations and then return to your room to eat alone with the door closed. You may not eat together while in quarantine.
You may go outside for walks or outdoor exercise on campus - wearing your face covering and observing all physical distancing and other requirements. You may walk or get out with one other person, provided that you're both following face covering, physical distancing and other guidelines. If you have items in storage that you need to retrieve, you may contact Residential Operations to schedule a time to get them - again wearing your face covering and maintaining physical distance at all times. Hinman will also be open for package pick-up during phase two. You may not enter College facilities, run other errands or go into town or local businesses until you are fully released.
Pre-arrival, arrival, and routine spring term testing
Those of you within the United States who have not been in the Upper Valley this winter will participate in pre-arrival testing. You'll receive more detailed information about that in March. All of you who are approved for on-campus enrollment and access this spring will test at Leverone three times during arrival week - on your arrival date of March 25th or March 26th, on Day 3 and again on Day 7. You will be formally released from quarantine by the Health Service once they have confirmed that your Day 7 test is negative. If you have a positive test result, Health Service staff will contact you and inform you of next steps.
Spring-approved Students Living Locally Off-Campus
Students who were not here this winter and who will be arriving to live locally for the first time for spring term will participate in pre-arrival and arrival testing as described above. Students who remain local must continue to test twice weekly at Thompson. Students who have been here and who do leave the Upper Valley are strongly encouraged to align their return with the on-campus arrival dates of March 25th or March 26th. To retain your eligibility for on-campus access, all testing and arrival quarantine guidelines must be followed.
Facilities Access
College facilities will open for undergraduate use after all are out of arrival quarantine, sometime early the week of April 5th. Courses with on-campus components will begin classroom meetings the week of April 5th.
We'll have more details available in the coming weeks. Please continue to watch for updates, and as always, please continue to be vigilant in complying with College health guidelines and requirements. If you feel ill or develop a temperature at any time or are concerned about a possible exposure, our nursing staff are available around the clock, working closely with primary care and counseling clinicians. You can reach them 24/7 at 603-646-9440.
All my best,
Dean Lively