Jan Plan and Spring 2021

Academics

Academic Calendar

The January Term (Jan Plan) begins January 11 and will conclude February 3. Classes for the Spring 2021 semester begin February 10.

There will be two breaks during the spring semester in place of the traditional week-long spring break.

January Term 2021
Friday and Saturday, Jan. 8-9	Student arrival, testing, and quarantine. Campus Life will provide arrival-day assignments and details to students.
Monday, Jan. 11–Wednesday, Feb. 3	January Program

Spring Semester 2021
Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 8-9	Student arrival, testing, and quarantine.
Wednesday, Feb. 10	First classes
Monday and Tuesday, March 8-9	Spring recess (no classes)
Thursday and Friday, April 15-16	Spring recess (no classes)
Wednesday, April 28	Colby Liberal Arts Symposium (no classes)
Wednesday, May 12	Last day of classes of second semester
Friday, May 14–Wednesday, May 19	Semester examinations
Thursday, May 20 at noon	Residence halls close. Students are expected to depart campus 24 hours after last exam.
Saturday and Sunday, May 22-23	Commencement Weekend

Academic Program

Colby remains committed to delivering a rigorous academic program characterized by extraordinary teaching and scholarship, and we are offering a full complement of courses during the January and spring terms. The model for January and spring includes two main modes of teaching: (1) in-person/hybrid instruction and (2) fully remote instruction that will be available to students and faculty who require accommodations due to travel restrictions and/or health conditions.

Curriculum

As at other colleges and universities, some faculty are unable to teach in person, either because of health concerns or because their courses cannot be safely or effectively taught within our public health protocols. These faculty are offering their courses remotely, and we estimate about 25 percent of our spring curriculum is in remote mode. Offering these courses remotely allows us to fully accommodate students who are unable to be on campus for health or other reasons. The remaining courses are taught in person or in hybrid modes that combine remote and in-person instruction.

Students can see the teaching mode for each course by using the Curriculum Search function on the registrar’s page. Those to be taught remotely are noted as such.

Given our success teaching in varied modes in fall 2020, we are confident that all our courses, in all modes of instruction, will continue to provide the rigor, challenge, and close faculty-student interactions that students have come to expect from the superb and dedicated Colby faculty. Every member of the faculty wants to be back in the classroom with our students, and while this is not possible, every faculty member is committed to deep and meaningful interaction with their students and to offering the very best liberal arts education possible.

Remote Learning

Remote courses are offered for students who are unable to return to campus or elect not to do so this fall. While these offerings will not be the full complement of the academic program, there are multiple courses available with which students can engage. All remote courses have now been identified, and students can find them by using the Curriculum Search function on the registrar’s page. Some in-person courses are open to remote learners, and a list of these courses is also available on the registrar’s page.

Students who elect to enroll through off-campus remote learning will not be expected to provide payment for room and board.

Leave of Absences

Students should speak with their class dean about this process. Faculty should speak with the provost. Staff members should consult with the Office of Human Resources.

Campus Life

The College is committed to preserving the distinctive experiences provided through our residential education as much as possible given the current environment.

Mule Pledge

The success of this plan will depend on all students, faculty, and staff committing to a revised set of expectations. Every member of the community is responsible for adhering to a social compact, called the Mule Pledge, to be part of this community. This will include committing to personal safety measures (especially facial coverings), prohibitions in the travel and visitor policy, complying with testing, and committing to health self-checks. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action, including suspension.

The Office of the Dean of the College has worked closely with faculty, students, and staff to develop a the Mule Pledge for all community members.

Athletics

Colby remains fully committed to finding every possible way to provide exciting and enriching opportunities for student athletes to practice and compete with their teams this year. The key is to be as creative as possible within the safety and health guidelines in order to be prepared for opportunities when the situation permits.

The NCAA and NESCAC have announced changes and waivers that provide for a greater relaxation of rules to support institutional flexibility:

Out-of-season athletics activities in non-traditional seasons. Fall and spring teams are allowed to conduct activities outside their traditional season in accordance with NCAA rules. This will allow institutions to conduct up to 114 practices and/or competitions throughout the academic year. This allows for increased oversight of athletic activity by coaches and athletic training staff, and it will increase compliance with federal, state, local, and institutional return-to-play safety guidelines.
The D-III Administrative Committee approved blanket waivers for participation. Division III student athletes will not be charged with participation for the 2020-21 season if their team can complete only 50 percent or less of the sport’s maximum contests/dates of competition due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The committee also approved a blanket waiver permitting student athletes to receive a two-semester/three-quarter extension of eligibility. Both blanket waivers will apply to all sports during the 2020-21 academic year.

The NCAA has also developed guidelines for return to athletics.

Campus Facilities

The use of Colby’s facilities is limited to current students, faculty, and staff and the use of ColbyCards is required for building access. Colby will follow Maine CDC guidelines for the use of indoor and outdoor facilities, including capacity restrictions and requirements for social distancing and the use of face coverings.

All academic and administrative buildings, laboratories, the mailroom, and the Colby Bookstore are open to students, faculty, and staff.
The Colby College Museum of Art, Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, Bill & Joan Alfond Main Street Commons (including Chace Forum), Cotter Union/Pulver Pavilion, Miller Library, Schair-Swenson-Watson Alumni Center, and dining facilities will remain closed to the public.

Colby’s outdoor facilities, including athletic and recreational fields and Perkins Arboretum, are open to students, faculty, and staff for personal and informal use or exercise, subject to social distancing requirements and prohibitions on gatherings in consultation with Maine state regulations. Outdoor facilities will not be open to the general public and cannot be used by teams or for organized group activities unless part of athletic competition against a Colby team.

Dining

Following Maine CDC guidelines, dining halls have been reconfigured to allow for proper social distancing. Capacities and the flow of students, faculty, and staff through the dining halls have been adjusted according to these and other guidelines.

Self-service buffets will no longer be available as all meals will either be served or individually packaged. In addition to these changes, the College is expanding Caporale Lounge and grab-and-go options to include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Food accommodations will continue to be made for individuals with dietary restrictions.

Cocurricular Living and Learning

Participation and engagement in cocurricular activities is an integral part of the Colby experience that we aim to preserve as we plan for the return to campus. Working closely with students, faculty, and staff, updated guidelines have been created for how students can continue to engage in the many structured activities outside of the classroom, and a reimagined schedule of creative programming has been developed. Social life guidelines are tied to the health code systems, with increased outdoor activities and use of outdoor spaces an important factor in social life programming. Social interactions, group meetings, and club and organization gatherings have certain modifications based on Maine CDC guidance, including group-size limitations, mandatory face coverings, social distancing, adjusted capacities in campus spaces, and other safety measures.

Summer Earnings Contributions

We recognize that for many students, summer employment has been disrupted by the pandemic. As part of our ongoing efforts to fully support our students, the College has waived the summer earnings expectation from financial aid packages for the 2020-21 academic year. Under normal circumstances, students receiving financial aid are required to contribute up to $2,000 from summer work experiences or other assets. This year we are replacing that amount with institutional grant aid so students will not have to provide the summer earnings payment to attend Colby

Student Support

Counseling Services continues to provide support services for students residing on campus this year. Which in-house services are available for students residing off campus depends on the student’s location. In addition, we offer virtual programming that includes groups and workshops designed to support students and foster connections. We encourage students to reach out to Counseling Services with any questions, to discuss their mental health needs, or for assistance with referrals. Counseling Services can be reached by email at [email protected].

The class deans in the Dean of Studies Office are available to offer guidance and to ensure students have access to the resources and opportunities that create the conditions for their success in the rich intellectual life of this campus. Please reach out to the appropriate class dean if there are concerns about Covid-19 and students’ return to campus. Class deans can be reached at 207-859-4560 or [email protected].

Social Life and Connections

Healthy and balanced social experiences are important to students’ overall wellness. Although social interactions will be different due to physical distancing, use of facial coverings, group-size limitations, and adjusted capacities in campus spaces, students will have opportunities to socialize with friends and continue to build connections with classmates.

Accommodations

Students who need to exercise extra health precautions according to CDC guidelines, including for issues that may not meet the definition of a disability, are encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider as soon as possible to make a personalized plan.

Consistent with Colby’s policy, Colby students who have any of the medical conditions identified by the CDC and who require reasonable housing accommodations should immediately contact the Office of Student Access and Disability Services. Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be given priority over requests for reasons other than a disability. Requests for accommodations after the summer housing process has closed may be difficult to meet prior to a student’s arrival on campus and will be prioritized based on the space available.

Students may contact Student Access and Disability Services at [email protected] or 207-859-4567.

Spring Break

There will not be a traditional spring break this year, but there will be no classes held March 8-9 and again April 15-16. Students will not be allowed to travel home for break this year. Rather, the Dean of the College Division is developing substantial programming for all students to participate in meaningful activities and opportunities.

Classrooms

We have reconfigured our academic spaces, classrooms, labs, and performance spaces so they can accommodate the health guidelines we implemented. Classrooms include physical distancing spacing, personal protective equipment, including plexiglass where appropriate, enhanced cleaning protocols, and more. In addition, we are pursuing other strategies to help de-densify our buildings.

Extended Stay on Campus

The College will work with individual students who may have challenges traveling home due to travel restrictions or housing insecurity issues. Students should contact their class dean if they would like to discuss this option.

Beyond Mayflower Hill

The Waterville Community

As Colby continues with the 2020-21 academic year, it is with full consideration of the well-being of the Waterville community. Colby’s partnership with Central Maine is of paramount importance, and the College is committed to ensuring the safety of those who live and work in the greater Waterville area.

While safety is Colby’s number one priority, reopening the campus will allow the College to continue to support local businesses. Colby understands its impact on the Central Maine economy and is committed to continuing to support it as well as move forward with the revitalization of downtown Waterville.

Civic Engagement

In alignment with Colby’s Covid-19 policy guidelines, students are prohibited from participating in any in-person volunteering this winter and spring. The Office of Civic Engagement and Community Partnerships is actively working with community organizations to connect students to virtual and remote civic engagement opportunities.

Study Away

Members of the Off-Campus Study team have contacted students planning to study away this spring. Students who are still planning to participate in a study away program should remain in close contact with the Office of Off-Campus Study, which is monitoring and evaluating each program’s situation. Some programs have already been canceled by the provider or institution, while others appear to remain on schedule.

The Off-Campus Study team is working with students applying for off-campus study in 2021-22, according to the usual application cycle, and closely monitoring program offerings and updates.

Students Residing Outside the U.S.

Students who are not able to return to campus due to travel restrictions will be allowed to participate in remote courses based on availability. For support with decision-making please contact our Director of International Programs Masi Ngidi-Brown and our Dean of Studies team. Masi can be reached at 207-859-4263, and the Dean of Studies Office can be reached at 207-859-4560 or [email protected].

Students FAQ

We expect that student clubs and organizations will be able to continue to function with modifications that support the health and safety of our community. Campus Life and Campus Events will work with students regarding space restrictions and size limitations for groups in indoor and outdoor meeting spaces and other guidelines to ensure clubs can operate in accordance with Colby and state of Maine health guidelines.

Students are allowed off campus and to travel throughout the state of Maine based on current conditions in the state. To ensure the health and safety of the Colby, Waterville, and Maine communities, we ask that students not leave Maine except when essential (medical appointment, family emergency, etc.). Those who need to travel outside the state will be asked to report their travel prior to departure. More information about this process will be forthcoming.

Every morning students will report their health in the CoVerified app. Their answers will immediately indicate to them whether they are able to go about their day or must remain in their room until contacted by a health professional. When they leave their room, students will wear facial coverings. Dining will be grab-and-go during the initial arrival time before classes begin and will switch to served meals later in the semester. Students will not be serving themselves in the dining hall.

Students can expect their classes to be a bit smaller with chairs, tables, and desks spaced apart. In larger lecture halls, chairs will be marked off to ensure distancing. Students, faculty, and staff will continue to wear facial coverings while in class and throughout the day, unless they are in their private residence hall rooms or offices.

After classes end each day, students will be able to participate in their typical cocurricular activities, which will be modified to ensure adequate distancing. Campus Life will work in collaboration with student organizations and the Student Programming Board to ensure programming options are available on campus for both in-person social activities and virtual interactions.

Yes. It is going to be important for everyone in the community to follow protocols to ensure the health and safety of the community, and peer influence can be powerful in ensuring individual and collective safety. This may mean addressing peers directly or sharing information about circumstances that threaten the safety of the community. It is our entire community’s responsibility to ensure that we can continue in-person living and learning on campus.

Visitors are not permitted on campus, including student guests from other institutions, family members, community members, and outside speakers. Students will be able to dine with friends who are not their roommates, however, as long as they are authorized to be on campus.

Students’ movement will not be restricted based on cohort groups or residential living environments. Students will continue to have access to residence halls across campus and can choose to eat meals with friends outside of those they live with. Colby has in place guidelines that provide a framework for all campus operations relative to the state of health on campus; at any point in time, restrictions may be put in place to ensure the most healthy and safe environment possible for our community.