COVID-19: Campus Update
Dear Undergraduate Students,
Much has happened today. The Provost has announced that spring term classes will be conducted remotely for the entire spring term. There will be no option to return for spring. Many of our facilities are closing. We are ramping down and pausing campus research activities.
We're all so very sorry that we have to take this step, but it is the right thing to do under the circumstances. I know this is deeply disappointing for many of you. For others, perhaps this message provides the clarity many of you have been seeking so that you can plan accordingly. Sadly, the reality is that students across the country and around the world are dealing with these same extraordinary conditions. It's important to remember that you are not alone.
We will be in touch separately tomorrow morning with those of you who are approved to remain in the residence halls. I want to assure you that you have a place to be and we will continue to support you through this. For those of you who are able, and for those of you who chose to stay in non-College owned off-campus apartments or facilities, we continue to strongly encourage you to return home for the duration of the term. Student Affairs staff will be available to talk with you about your individual decisions – send me a note, or email the undergraduate deans at undergraduate.deans.office@Dartmouth.edu if you'd like to chat with someone.
By now, you may have heard or seen in the D that this morning, we notified interim and winter term residents of Maxwell that we needed to empty the building today. Given the way that Maxwell is configured, and in consultation with medical and public health clinicians, we determined that Maxwell is suitable for students who may need to "self-quarantine". "Self-quarantine" is a public health term for individuals who may have been exposed, but have not been tested, are not sick, and have no symptoms. If we learn from the state that we have any students in that category, we will temporarily assign them to beds in Maxwell, so that they are not in self-quarantine in their residence halls. This status is precautionary to follow public health guidelines.
Taking this step helps reduce the risk of transmission from those who may have been in contact with an individual who has tested positive. As I mentioned yesterday, "contact" for this purpose generally means someone who has been within six feet, for more than thirty minutes. Another way of thinking about it is "close personal contact", which a public health provider would assess =by talking through individually-specific questions like "what was the activity? how close? for how long?" The clinical assessment is informed by public health guidelines. We are doing our best to protect the health and safety of everyone in our community.
Finally, we know you have many logistical questions about what these decisions mean – online course offerings? D-plan changes? belongings? events? senior theses? You'll be hearing from me throughout the next ten days, as answers become available. Watch for another message tomorrow morning.
For now, all best-
Dean Lively