I think it may largely depend on how socially conscious the student body at the college is; most students at Amherst have been very good with social distancing and mask-wearing.
- Starting with a hybrid of classes. Class size > 50: online. Prof who says they will not do face-to-face: online. Class size < 50: in person, to the extent that they can arrange distancing in classrooms. In some cases, this might be coming on alternate days and online the "off" days. Some classes have been divided into smaller section to achieve distancing. Masks in class. And anyone who is uncomfortable is welcome to do all online...profs are planning for that.
- Testing all returning students, faculty, and staff with saliva testing. Using on-campus lab (been working with CDC) and labs at local hospitals to achieve 3-4 hour turnaround.
- Have set aside a "quarantine dorm" for both positives and potentials. Food and nurse checkins provide. President didn't say this, but quarantine capacity is likely to be a trigger point for keeping on-campus going. That and local hospital capacity and community impact will all feed into decisions about staying on campus.
There is a front (main) gate, but unless things have changed drastically, there is no “wall” around the campus. And the townhouses (part of VC’s housing options) are across the main street from campus.
How would you know that? Social distancing only started after everyone was dismissed from college.
@homerdog The requirement at UofSC will be testing of all returning students. I think the president just acknowledged that it is a challenge to achieve that.
With the recent positives in the campus community, he is realizing that the students are just too ignorant/self-centered/oblivious to make reopening work. He wanted to treat them as responsible adults, silly him.
He is currently finishing his first year at UofSC and was formerly the superintendent at West Point. It must be eye-opening to come from a place where orders are generally given and obeyed to a place where…one of the first questions during the town hall was, “What about sorority rush?” S19 says too many kids just care more about their social experience than academics.
@jym626 wrote:
I stand corrected. It does have a very distinct campus/non-campus divide, no? Would a car typically enter through the main gate or are there other ways of getting in?
So, the US had the highest number of cases reported today. I’ll guess that record won’t last long. I’m wondering if communities that have significant community transmission when students are due to return to campus will be happy to welcome a cohort of 18-22 year old disease vectors. And if communities that don’t have significant community transmission are going to be happy to welcome students from more hard-hit areas.
Your interpretation isn’t silly. Saying off-campus students can’t eat on campus, or use the library, is where things get silly.
This is why the language was so careful, and there couldn’t be final answers regarding returning to campus this fall. Some proposed openings are less than eight weeks off. We really have no idea what the situation will be then.
Really, really disappointing, but reality.
June 17th
Go Squids
Williams had a town hall today. Still no answer but these were some of the highlights according to my son:
Either everyone will be welcomed back to campus or no one will be welcomed back.
Believe that they will have enough room for everyone to have a single
They said they initially were concerned about the area medical facilities being overrun if outbreak occurred on campus. Said that they spoke with the hospitals and have been assured that they have the bed capacity to handle it.
Town is suffering economically without the kids on campus. Town wants kids to come back.
They will have regular calendar. Kids who stay on campus for Thanksgiving can stay on campus until end of semester. If you go home for Thanksgiving, you have to stay home and finish remotely.
Athletic teams can practice but, as of now, can’t travel out of state.
The kids will have a “family living unit” that they won’t have to practice social distancing with.
Formal plan will be announced by July 1st
Son is optimistic that he will be heading back to Williamstown.
@shuttlebus I’m sure that Williams having so many singles already is helping their situation. I wish Bowdoin had singles! Fingers crossed for Williams to return. That would be great if athletes could practice even if they can’t compete. Did they say anything about classes being remote or in-person?
So do you think they’ll act any differently that the UofSC students above?
My kid does not remember that issue being mentioned.
It really is disappointing. Those southern states plus TX and AZ really need to step it up. Thankfully some of those governors seem to be finally ‘getting’ it, but sadly not all. Still, I don’t think those states have any appetite for closing down again which is probably what they need to do to get this in check.
I really am struggling with how these big schools are invited back with big dorms and double rooms and Bowdoin will be at 35% capacity for housing with all singles. Is there some guidance out there that can be pointed to that says schools can operate like these big schools and not risk an outbreak? UofSC testing once upon arrival. Bowdoin testing everyone twice a week. Michigan giving kids guidance on when to wear masks and having kids quarantine before they come but then just trusting them to call the doc if they have symptoms…
What am I missing here?
Yes.
Some schools have staggered move in less than 30 days from now. The clock is ticking if schools plan to pivot before students arrive on campus.
^it’s my personal belief some never imagined in-person classes a possibility.
I’ve been googling around about non-refundable R&B. Sorry to be so cynical. And gloomy.