Update from Dean Lively
Dear Students,
Given where we started, it's hard to believe that we are in week five! And despite the oddity of the start, and a few challenges along the way, things have gone incredibly well. And it's because of that attention to detail and all of your hard-won sacrifices that we can't afford to let our guard down.
I'm writing to follow up on the community messages you received on Saturday and yesterday afternoon, and to address some questions we've been receiving about College expectations.
Particularly now, we all need to be vigilant in following the College's health guidelines. It is critical that you continue to wear your face coverings, maintain 6' physical distancing, get tested weekly at Leverone, submit your TSA daily, follow handwashing and hygiene guidelines, and follow the group gathering, facilities access, undergraduate travel and other health guidelines.
I ask that you think about your actions and to please put the health and safety of the community first. Although rumors about the number of people who have shifted from on-campus to remote enrollment at the College's request are wildly exaggerated, anyone who fails to comply with the terms of the Community Expectations Agreement does risk loss of the privilege of on-campus enrollment for the remainder of this academic year. And if you fail to comply with the Standards of Conduct as required of all undergraduates from matriculation through graduation, you may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or permanent separation.
I also ask for your own benefit, as well as the benefit of the entire community, that you please continue to take the necessary public health precautions and recognize that in this extraordinary year, we cannot function as we normally would. As the D noted on September 18th,"Respect your peers and abide by public health guidelines. It isn't hard. Every member of the community is relying on us, and every one of us has an obligation to do our part." The D also noted then that "all involved parties must act in good faith and with mutual respect." https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2020/09/verbum-ultimum-do-your-part. They were right. Students, faculty, staff and community members all bear responsibility for following health guidelines and reducing the risk of transmission.
To that end, and recognizing the D's call yesterday for the College to put out "stronger messaging...about refraining from visiting in person" (see https://www.thedartmouth.com/article/2020/10/dickman-tour-can-wait), the College posted an updated visitor policy on Friday. The policy makes clear that unauthorized visitors are not permitted on campus, and that the College is strictly limiting authorized visitors to those approved by senior College leadership for reasons essential and critical to the College's mission. See https://covid.dartmouth.edu/visitor-guidance, and please share with anyone you know who may be considering travel to our community.
Looking ahead, we are receiving a number of questions about winter term. Please watch your email this afternoon for a very important update on winter planning. And please plan to tune in to Provost Helble's Community Conversations broadcast tomorrow at 3:30 pm, at https://news.dartmouth.edu/community-conversations.
I understand that this term isn't like anything that you may have imagined or remembered. I also understand that making these adjustments to our routine - and not so routine - behaviors are challenging and tiresome. However, they are critical. We've had such a successful start to the term, in large part, due to your ability to take care of yourselves and one another. Now is not the time to jeopardize all of your hard-earned successes by putting yourselves, one another, and the balance of the term at risk.
Thank you again for your commitment to the good of the community. I'll be back in touch soon.
Dean Lively