Vassar plans to bring students back

Vassar College in Poughkeepsie plans to bring back students to its campus for the fall semester.

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY » Vassar College plans to bring back students to its campus for the fall semester.

College President Elizabeth Bradley says that firm health and safety measures are in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The campus has been virtually closed since March, with only a few students and staff remaining.

The plan for returning to campus was developed by VassarTogether, a committee of administrators, faculty, students and staff co-chaired by Dean of the College Carlos-Alamo-Pastrana and Dean of Faculty William Hoynes, according to a press release.

The plans calls for the arrival of small groups of students to campus on staggered dates starting Aug. 15, with classes beginning on Aug. 31. Students who are unable to return to campus or who choose not to do so will be able to take courses remotely, the college said.

Bradley said she was confident the plan contained the necessary safeguards to ensure the health and safety of everyone who returns to the campus.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to keep our community safe and healthy on campus this fall,” Bradley said in a website message.

Bradley said Vassar’s guidelines for returning to campus are consistent with all state, regional and local public health recommendations. The college will employ a combination of regular selfhealth assessments, physical distancing, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting, masking, testing, contact tracing, self-quarantine and isolation to sustain the health of the Vassar community.

In order to be permitted on campus, students must show evidence of a negative coronavirus test result taken three to five days before they arrive. They will

be required to be tested on campus within the first days of move-in and tested again several days later, according to the release.

Students will be required to wear a mask or face covering at all times except when they are in their dormitory

room or apartment.

“Students may socialize with each other but must keep six feet of distance from each other and wear a mask indoors,” the release said. “Outdoors, a mask will be required while in transit (walking) but can be removed if one is 6-feet distanced from others and stationary outdoors.”

Dining will be grab-andgo only for at least the first

part of the semester.

“Classes will be conducted in classrooms and outside when appropriate with adequate technology support and accessibility using tents and awnings, all with social distancing protocols in place,” the release said. “Classrooms will be equipped with needed technology to support hybrid classes that are taught both in-person and remotely.”

Students must remain on campus until the Thanksgiving break, then complete the last week and a half of fall classes, study period, and final exams remotely. Students will then remain offcampus for the winter break and return for the spring semester in late-January.

For local coverage related to the coronavirus, go to bit.ly/DFCOVID19.