May 29, 2020 UPDATE
To the community,
In light of the ongoing challenges associated with travel, particularly international travel, at this time, and in response to the need for advance planning, we write to share important updates on a number of Dartmouth programs and policies.
FALL INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS CANCELLED
Because of significant continued risk to participants' health and safety and severe restrictions to travel and mobility, Dartmouth has made the decision to cancel all structured fall term international programs for both undergraduate and graduate and professional students. This includes language study abroad, foreign study programs, fall exchange programs, and all Dartmouth-supported leave-term programs such as internships and fellowships. Other Dartmouth-supported graduate and professional school international travel programs and clinical electives are cancelled through November. Domestic clinical rotations through Geisel will proceed as planned. The graduate and professional school deans will be in touch with their students to outline these changes and answer related questions. In June, the Tuck School will be announcing additional details about travel planning.
This decision reflects many factors, including ongoing travel uncertainty, reduced flight options, difficulties in securing passports and visas, restrictive entry requirements, risks to community health, disease progression across and within countries, guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, and the barriers to achieving our programmatic goals.
TRAVEL GUIDELINES
Dartmouth continues to discourage all international travel for students, faculty, and staff, including conference attendance and research site visitation. In accordance with CDC and New Hampshire state guidance, individuals traveling to campus from outside New Hampshire must self-quarantine off campus for a period of 14 days. This does not apply to individuals making same-day trips to New Hampshire from Vermont for essential authorized work on campus. All visitors to campus are subject to the same guidelines as members of the campus community. Given the risk of transmission and restrictions on travel, and to protect the health of all, visitors who have not received specific authorization to be at Dartmouth should not come to campus. For complete guidance on travel restrictions and required self-quarantine, please visit Dartmouth's COVID-19 website at dartmouth.edu/covid19.
CHANGES TO UNDERGRADUATE FIRST-YEAR TRIPS
Unfortunately, several of the same factors affecting international travel have also led Dartmouth to determine that first-year trips will need to take a different form for the Class of 2024. Given existing public health uncertainties and restrictions, and the potential impact on emergency medical resources, we have decided that sending hundreds of students out on trips in August is not feasible this year. Although this decision is likely not a surprise to most, we know that it is still disappointing; however, it is a shift, and not a cancellation. Student trips directors have notified the '24s that they are committed to providing all first-year students with a shared trips experience this year and throughout their time at Dartmouth.
We encourage everyone to participate in the ongoing weekly Community Conversations broadcast hosted by Provost Joseph Helble to learn more about evolving Dartmouth policies and to share questions and concerns. Links to the broadcasts are at https://news.dartmouth.edu/community-conversations. Thank you for your understanding as we continue to respond to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Stay healthy and safe.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lisa V. Adams
Joshua Keniston
Co-chairs, Dartmouth COVID-19 Task Force