This message was sent to individual incoming students on July 2, 2020, from Jennifer L. Walters, Dean of the Undergraduate College.
Dear [student],
As you anticipate the beginning of your college career, I hope you are finding opportunities for learning, growth, and service. And, I hope, even room for some rest and rejuvenation. I know you are eager for information about the Fall. I am writing today to share information with you about what you can expect in the coming academic year. As you know, President Cassidy and President Raymond announced on June 8 that Bryn Mawr and Haverford are planning for a 15-week Fall semester that includes some in-person instruction and re-opens the residence halls to students. We are still in the midst of planning, so we may not be able to answer all of your questions about what Bryn Mawr will be like in the Fall quite yet. But we will keep you informed all summer through the Deans Office webinars, the Tuesday newsletter, and other campus communications, so continue to watch your Bryn Mawr email and check Moodle for important messages.
The coming year probably will not be what you expected your first year of college to be like. There will be some important differences in how we do things in order to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 and prioritize the health and safety of everyone. Some courses will be taught mostly in person, some will be taught entirely remotely, and most will have some in-person components and some virtual ones; every person in the Bryn Mawr College community will be required to abide by health and safety rules including COVID-19 testing, daily symptom checks and the wearing of masks around other people; classes will be held only in spaces that have adequate ventilation and enough space for social distancing; and fewer students will be able to live in residence halls in order to make sure each student has their own room to sleep in. Club activities will have to take place in new socially-distanced ways. Yet, we will all work together as a Bryn Mawr community to create an environment in which every person is valued and where we can depend on each other to consider not only our own well-being but the health of everyone else on campus in our decisions and personal interactions.
Housing and Enrollment Form Due July 9
Please review this letter carefully. Note that you must inform the College of your plans for the Fall no later than July 9. There are three options: 1) enroll this Fall and attend in person, 2) enroll this Fall but take classes remotely, or 3) indicate that you intend to take a “Gap Year” and defer your enrollment at Bryn Mawr until Fall 2021. A link to the Housing and Enrollment Form is found at the end of this letter (email version). Our Residential Life Office will let new students know about their dorm and room assignments in early August.
Health and Safety
The College’s planning for a full re-opening has included an analysis of all facilities to assure that offices, classrooms, laboratories, and other spaces meet health standards for air filtering, ventilation, cleaning, and social distancing. We are consulting with a team of medical and public health experts to develop a protocol for COVID-19 testing which will be important components of our health and safety plans. Our plan for timing of testing is still evolving in conversation with our public health advisers.
In addition, all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the Bryn Mawr campus will sign a Community Agreement to abide by the following Covid-19 health and safety behaviors:
- Check for possible COVID-19 symptoms daily
- Stay home from school or work if you become aware of any symptoms or feel sick
- Wear a mask anytime you are around other people, including:
- in a classroom or office
- in the library
- when traveling around campus
- throughout dorm common spaces
- in communal restrooms, except when showering or brushing teeth
- Keep a distance of at least six feet from other people
- Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer
- Practice safe sneeze and cough etiquette (even with a mask)
- Keep a contact journal so that the College can reach out to anyone who needs to be quarantined and tested in the event that you become ill with COVID-19
- Limit personal travel off campus to essential travel only
I have asked the Honor Board chair to work with me and other students to consider how the Honor Code can help us to define norms and set expectations for student life.
Our Health and Wellness Center staff will respond to and care for students who feel ill. And spaces on campus have been set aside for students who become sick or test positive for COVID-19 so they can be monitored by our medical and nursing staff in isolation. The College is examining every aspect of our operations to assure that our educational and business practices minimize the risk of virus transmission. A successful and healthy semester will be achieved only if every individual takes responsibility for their health and the health of others by observing the Community Agreement. Individuals who do not adhere to the agreement may lose their on-campus housing or be required to leave campus.
We know that some students will still be uncomfortable attending in person due to health concerns. Because of these extraordinary circumstances, this Fall the College will offer students the option to register for a course schedule that is entirely “remote” — that is, you may begin your Bryn Mawr career from home this semester.
Academic Planning
Revised academic calendar:
- Classes will begin on September 8. There will not be an October break. Classes will continue straight through until November 20 with a one-week recess for Thanksgiving.
- Classes will resume on November 30 remotely and final exams will take place (also remotely) December 13-18.
- Students will depart campus during the Thanksgiving recess and return when the Spring semester begins in 2021. Students will be able to request to live on campus after November 20th. However, students who leave at the break will not be permitted to return until the beginning of the Spring semester in order to preserve the health and safety of the campus community.
- New students will register for classes in August after consultations (by video chat) with your Dean. More information about registration and advising will be shared through the Tuesday Newsletter and Deans Office webinars.
Tuition, Room and Board, Fees, and Financial Aid
We recognize that the current global economic conditions as a result of COVID-19 are challenging to many students and families. The College has decided not to increase tuition, fee, room and board rates for 2020-21 as previously announced. Instead, rates will remain as they were for 2019-20. We will make sure that the reduction from previously-published rates will be applied in such a way to benefit all students, including those on need based financial aid. Please note also that need based financial aid will be adjusted for students who decide to live at home, in accordance with Federal regulations. For more information about student account billing and financial aid, please read the information on the FAQ page.
Housing and Dining
Bryn Mawr will still offer a residential experience this Fall and all students in residence will have a full meal plan. As part of the College's plan to follow public health recommendations regarding college housing, the dorms will have fewer bed spaces available. Students will be housed in single rooms or in multiple occupancy rooms where sleeping spaces are separated by a wall or door.
We need to have an accurate understanding of how many students would like campus housing so that we can plan to make room assignments. Therefore, every student who wants to start at Bryn Mawr this September — no matter where you want to live — must submit the Housing and Enrollment Form by July 9.
Incoming first-year students are guaranteed on campus housing. All students will be assigned to singles or multi-occupancy rooms with doors that close to private sleeping areas.
Customs Week/Orientation for new students will begin remotely in late July.
Students will move in to dorms rooms on a staggered schedule in the days before classes begin. The exact dates have not yet been determined, but you will receive a notice from Residential Life in the next few weeks. Any friends or family helping a student move in will have to abide by all safety precautions and will not be able to stay overnight in the dorm.
This year, it is critical that we have accurate information about how many students wish to live on campus in order to plan for the Fall semester. We need every student’s cooperation in providing us information about your intentions.
I know that this is a lot of information to digest in a relatively short period of time. We will continue to provide information and guidance through the Tuesday Newsletter, webinars, Deans Office Instagram, and one-on-one advising through the summer. Your college career is getting off to a unique beginning, a challenging one. But I believe in the midst of these challenges we will — together — find new ways to come together to create a dynamic and vibrant educational atmosphere.
Please complete your Housing and Enrollment Form (available in email link) by July 9.
And don’t forget to review the FAQ page for additional information.
I am looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you to Bryn Mawr.
Best wishes,
Jennifer L. Walters
Dean of the Undergraduate College