Spring Term 2 information

Greetings from Grinnell,  

I am pleased to share with you today that we are moving forward with our plan to have second-and fourth-year students join us on campus during Spring Term 2, which begins on April 1, 2021. Below my signature, you will find information about confirming or changing your plans, arranging for your arrival to campus, and living in residence at Grinnell. Important information and action items are in bold.  

Our rigorous testing program, when paired with other important community health measures, has shown that students on campus and in Grinnell have done a remarkable job staying healthy and safe. Their efforts have made it possible for our campus story to be different from that of many other communities.  

We know that adding you to the 350 students in continuous residence on and off campus will require continued efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy.  The GrinnWell Together Commitment describes the community health behaviors we all need to observe in order to live and learn together safely. As the next group of students invited to campus, you must familiarize yourself with your responsibilities to our community.  

To help all of us—faculty, staff, and students—work together, we have created a campus activity level system that offers general guidance about how to go about our lives and work most safely. Please also familiarize yourself with this critical tool before your arrival.   

We are excited to welcome you back to campus. As you will see in the campus activity level system, our primary mode of instruction will continue to be online throughout the spring with the possibility of limited in-person learning experiences. Our campus-wide events and programming will continue to be primarily online as well. This will help us remain safe and healthy together and provide a common experience for students, including those of you who are not able to join us on campus for Spring Term 2.  

I am sure that many of you have questions about Spring Term 2. Please read below and plan to join us for a WebEx event beginning at 7:30 p.m. CST on Monday, February 1. We look forward to sharing more details about our plans with you at that time. We will record the event and post it on our website for those who are unable to attend. You will be able to find it in the “Information for Students and Families” section of the COVID-19: Meeting the Challenge site.  

Sincerely,  

Elaine Marzluff
Dean of the College  

Planning for Arrival  

Students traveling from outside of the U.S. should review the COVID-19 testing requirements. F-1 students should consult the OISA regarding related entry requirements.   

Along with community health behaviors, our on-boarding program, including testing and initial quarantine regimen, is an essential tool to ensure that we maintain community health as we welcome you to campus. To effectively administer this program, we have staggered arrival/move-in dates for incoming students. Students can arrive on March 28, 29, or 30. There is a maximum capacity for each date, designated on a first-come, first-served basis.   

All students, regardless of their Spring 2 plans, must complete the Spring 2 Enrollment Survey. On this form, you will:

  1. update/confirm your intentions regarding campus residency in Spring Term 2 (whether or not you plan to join us);   
  2. reserve a move-in date (each date has a maximum capacity);  
  3. submit housing and dining accommodations;  
  4. request shuttle service from the Des Moines International Airport if your travel plans require transportation.  

The Spring 2 Enrollment Survey needs to be completed no later than February 5, 2021 (even if you have already told us your plans). For those arriving with parents, guardians, or other guests, please note that only students will be permitted beyond the parking lots, and each student will need to move their own personal items into their room.    

We ask that you pack light. After you clear the arrival testing/room quarantine process, you will be able to pick up any packages that you shipped to yourself at the Campus Mail Room during their regular business hours or retrieve items you may have stored previously in Grinnell. Please plan accordingly.  

If you indicate your intention to come to campus, Residence Life will follow up with a survey to gather information on your housing needs and location preferences. Please start thinking about people you would like to live with as a part of your scurry.   

Updating Your Information  

As a general reminder, you can use our Student Update Form to let us know if your family’s financial situation has changed considerably, if your technology needs have changed, if your current living and learning location has changed, or if you need to request or change a leave of absence.  

Major Declaration  

Second-Year students must submit Major Declarations electronically by March 15 (right at the end of the Spring 1 term), so they will not be able to wait until they are on campus or Spring Term 2 begins.   

Commencement  

Fourth-Year students should be mindful of their major/degree requirements if making changes to their Spring Term 2 schedules to insure they enroll in classes required to complete their degree. Commencement is scheduled on Friday, May 28. Details are being planned—including if events will be in person or virtual—and are scheduled for release no later than February 20. Public health conditions will influence final decisions about format. Our commencement website will reflect new information as it becomes available.