To: The Wellesley College Community
From: President Paula A. Johnson
Re: Spring 2021 Update
Date: October 7, 2020
As we approach the midpoint in our fall calendar, I am writing to share information about the College’s plans for the spring.
Our experience over the past seven weeks has demonstrated the feasibility and the strength of our approach to the challenges of this COVID-19 year—prioritizing the health and safety of our community, reducing population density on our campus, and offering our outstanding academic program in both in-person and remote formats. I am proud of the creative, determined, and resourceful manner in which our entire community has risen to this challenge. I know that this work has not been easy, and I appreciate the extraordinary efforts you are all making.
While we are continually learning about improvements we can make, in particular to alleviate the stresses of this uniquely intense year, the overall success of our efforts has enabled us to move forward with plans for the spring. At the same time, we know that the pandemic will be with us for many months to come, so we must remain vigilant in following our health and safety protocols. Now, throughout the winter, and into the spring, we will need everyone to continue to do their part to protect our community.
In general, the plans for the spring that we announced in June remain the same. All students in residence will have a single room. We will invite all eligible juniors and seniors to return to campus as well as first-year and sophomore international students who were not able to enter the country this fall. Most other first-years and sophomores will study remotely in the spring, although additional rooms may be available to those who are interested in remaining in residence or have a compelling need to do so.
Below are some key details about the academic calendar for the spring and procedures for indicating intent to enroll, registering for classes, and applying for housing. Please see our Spring 2021 Planning FAQ for more information about timelines relating to financial aid, billing, and flu shots, which are now required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Academic calendar
- Spring classes will begin on Monday, February 8, and will include two seven-week terms.
- Term 3 will run from February 8 through March 23, followed by a short reading period and final exams. We will have a break between terms from March 28 to April 4. As with the upcoming October break, students living on campus will be required for reasons of health and safety to stay on campus during that time.
- Term 4 will begin on Monday, April 5, and classes will end on Wednesday, May 19. Commencement will take place on Friday, June 4.
- These dates are all one week later than what was on the provisional calendar we circulated in June. We have made these changes in order to push back the timing of students’ arrival on campus in January, during a period that public health experts expect to be particularly challenging.
Intent forms and registration
- Starting October 9, students will be able to complete a Spring Intent Form to indicate the following: their intention to study on campus, study remotely, study abroad, or take a leave of absence. First-years and sophomores will also be asked about their interest in returning to campus if there are available rooms. The form must be completed by October 20.
- Students whose plans or circumstances change after October 20 will have the opportunity to modify their forms. To facilitate planning and accuracy in billing and financial aid, we will ask students to indicate any changes using a Spring Intent Change Form between November 30 and December 4.
- Students who are currently on leave and wish to return in spring 2021 must request permission by October 15.
- Course registration for both spring terms will take place during the week of November 16–20.
Study abroad
- Currently, we anticipate that students who have indicated an intention to participate in spring semester study abroad programs will be able to do so, subject to international travel and health and safety restrictions. We encourage students planning to study abroad to register for remote Wellesley courses as a backup.
- The Office of International Study (OIS) is preparing a set of term 4 study abroad programs offered exclusively to Wellesley students. For further information about the location and academic focus of these programs, which are designed primarily for first-years and sophomores, please consult the OIS website.
Wintersession
- As previously announced, there will be no in-person courses or programs and no travel programs during Wintersession 2021. Any Wintersession programming that does occur will be conducted remotely.
- The College is developing a new program, called the January Project, that will give all students important opportunities for community building, leadership development, and reflection. We will announce further details during the break between terms later this month.
- On-campus housing will not be available during Wintersession. Students who have an extraordinary need for housing or for whom Wellesley College is their permanent address should contact Dean Horton.
While I expect the information I am sharing today does not answer every question you may have about the spring, I will continue to update you regarding the timing of move-in, the status of athletic or other programs, and other decisions as that information becomes available. We are also planning to host a webinar for students and families late next week to help answer any questions about the spring. Please look out for a forthcoming invitation to that webinar.
Please know that I am mindful of the many difficulties that members of our community and their loved ones are facing right now. Continuing our tradition of educational excellence in these circumstances tests each and every one of us, whether we are studying, teaching, or working on campus or remotely. I am encouraged by the fact that we are now at a point where we can contemplate with optimism and specificity the second half of this academic year. At the same time, we must be realistic. The constraints we are dealing with now are highly likely to remain in effect throughout the spring. Everyone living and working on campus must continue to adhere scrupulously to the health and safety protocols and to the code of conduct that have served us so well since August; students who are not comfortable with these protocols should consider studying remotely. And we must redouble our efforts to remain one community, fully encompassing those who are not on our campus as well as those who are.
I send you all my best wishes for the remaining days of term 1 and for a restful, relaxing—and safe!—week before term 2 begins.
