Looking Ahead to Academic Year 2021 – 2022 at Tuck
April 6, 2021
Dear Current and Admitted Tuck Students,
Over the past year, our community has worked diligently to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic. I deeply appreciate and admire the exceptional efforts and sacrifices that have been made by Tuck students, faculty, and staff. In the face of historic circumstances, we have created and lived together a distinctly Tuck experience.
Nearly a year ago, I first shared the five guiding principles that would guide our decision-making in the Deans’ Office. My message to you today is in the spirit of our fifth principle: our intention to transition back to our distinct in-person learning community as soon as safely possible. While we have made great strides establishing an in-person hybrid learning environment and convening in small groups this year, I know all of us are eagerly looking ahead to what campus life will be like this coming fall.
To echo the aspirations that President Hanlon and Provost Helble have shared in recent Dartmouth Community Conversations: summer and fall term 2021 we anticipate being fully open and operational, with classes offered in person. The College is anticipating that most students will be vaccinated over the coming months and that, as the large majority of the community gets vaccinated, public health restrictions will also ease. For example, we expect that vaccinated visitors and guests will be welcomed to campus this fall.
There are, of course, caveats to these plans. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, our plans are contingent upon public health conditions. With the rise of new COVID variants and the varying pace of vaccination around the world, uncertainty remains. We do not and cannot know now what the public health conditions months from now will be. We will continue to be guided by the data, and we will continue to refine our plans as needed. These caveats aside, today I would like everyone to know that Tuck’s aspirations and charted path are set towards a full return this fall to our vibrant in-person learning community.
As has been the case from the earliest days of the pandemic, Tuck will continue to work with any community member who might need special accommodations; for example, international students with travel limitations or visa delays, as well as anyone with particular health concerns.
And as summer and fall approach, each of us must continue to do our part for the wellbeing of our entire community. This means continuing to prioritize health and safety, getting vaccinated as soon as possible, and continuing to extend compassion and empathy to one another. Just as we collectively learned how to enter into a pandemic, together we will learn how to emerge out of one.
In the weeks ahead, we will communicate more details about the summer and fall terms at Tuck. For now, I trust that you share my hope and enthusiasm for what might be possible. Thank you for your resilience, creativity, and vigilance.
Keep well and be safe.
Dartmouth has formed a high-level task force to plan for and manage possible disruptions related to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, monitor federal and state recommendations, implement guidance, and communicate with our community.