Welcome to Spring Term 2022

Dear Students,

We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break. In advance of classes next week, below please find updates regarding the new process for requesting Zoom access to class, recently relaxed COVID protocols on campus, and arrival testing.

Zoom and What to Expect for Spring Term

Before break, we communicated about Zoom use and what to expect this term. That full message is here.

The only Zoom access requests which will be approved for spring term are those embodying the following two COVID-specific public health concerns: a positive test result or exhibiting symptoms and actively seeking a test result. Requests related to formal accommodations will be reviewed and managed separately through the MBAPO and Deans’ Office.

From Monday, March 21 through Wednesday, March 23—when students are participating in PCR arrival testing—awaiting results of a PCR arrival test will be an approved COVID public health concern that allows Zoom access.

Students who cannot attend class in-person for any other reason should not expect live Zoom access, but may be able to watch a session recordingif the faculty member is recording their sessions and grants access to those recordings. This is up to the discretion of each individual Tuck faculty member. As has been the case for decades, if you know you will need to miss a class for personal travel, recruiting, a family engagement or the like, you should communicate with your faculty members accordingly.

How to Request Zoom Access

Students will be able to request access to online learning daily by submitting a justification for their request via the “My Courses” page of TuckConnect. The request system will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning each week. It will be closed on weekends. Requests must be received before 7 a.m. each day.

Again, the only requests that will be approved are those relating to COVID-specific public health concerns: a positive test result or exhibiting symptoms and actively seeking a test result.

Students submitting requests will receive an email before 8:00 a.m. letting them know if their request is approved or denied.

Dartmouth COVID Protocol Changes

On Friday, March 11, the College sent this community message to all students, faculty and staff regarding face masks, testing, visitors, and event guidance. A few highlights from that message to note:

1. Dartmouth no longer requires face masks indoors, except in the following circumstances:
    
   • If you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19;
   • For at least 10 days after you first test positive for COVID-19, even if you tested out of isolation on Day 5 or Day 7;
   • For at least 10 days after you were last in close contact with someone who has an active case of COVID-19 (in which the person with COVID-19 had symptoms or initially tested positive in the 10 days prior);
   • When you are at a COVID-19 testing center, at the Dartmouth College Health Service, or for employees as designated in isolation spaces;
   • Where required through a contract with an external organization (e.g., the Hopkins Center agreement with the Broadway League, and the Athletics department with the NCAA);
   • When you are on public transportation, including the Dartmouth Coach and transportation provided by Advance Transit, according to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
   • Masks are welcome for anyone who chooses to wear one. It will remain best practice to keep a mask with you and KN95 masks will continue to be available on campus.
      
2. All students who have not tested positive for COVID-19 within the 90 days prior to the start of the term will be required to participate in start-of-the-term arrival testing. This testing will be conducted via an in-person PCR test immediately followed by a take-home antigen test. This message sent before break on Friday, March 4, outlines the arrival testing process for Tuck students in detail.
   
   Tuck Arrival Testing Reminder: Arrival testing for Tuck students will take place at 4 Currier Place in Hanover during the following times: Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday, March 20 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. On Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22 arrival testing will be available at West Gym from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Note: The greatest chance to receive test results before in-person classes resume on Tuesday, March 22 is to test over the weekend.
    
3. As of April 10, asymptomatic testing will become optional. In-person and take-home PCR testing will remain available for anyone who would like to conduct a test. At-home antigen tests will be made available for students, faculty, staff, and appointees to use at their discretion.

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We look forward to kicking off the spring term with you next week and maximizing the remaining time we have together leading up to Investiture for the T’22s and summer internships for the T’23s.

Be well,

Joe and Sally