Dear Students,
As you may have anticipated, safety precautions and planning for the Spring 2021 term are already underway. The University is incredibly proud of the cooperation and team approach that students, faculty, staff, and families have taken to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the Clarkson community. Through your dedication, Clarkson University, SUNY Potsdam, St. Lawrence University, SUNY Canton, and the local community have not seen the spike in COVID-19 cases that other areas of the state and country experienced with colleges and schools returning to in-person learning this fall.
Some students were reluctant to return to campus when it was unknown how well everyone would adhere to our rigorous COVID-19 precautions. We look forward to welcoming our Fall 2020 remote learners back to campus next semester. While you have had this semester to adjust, please understand Fall 2020 remote learners may need some assistance from you in the Spring Semester while they learn to navigate campus life during a global pandemic.
The University intends to follow similarly rigorous COVID-19 testing requirements that were in place for Fall 2020, including pre-arrival testing, testing within the first week, and ongoing surveillance testing during the semester. We expect our Spring 2021 opening to look very similar to our successful Fall 2020 opening.
While we remain confident about our ongoing reopening plans, the University will consider requests for remote learning from those who are unable to travel to the U.S. due to visa or international travel restrictions or have a medical condition which precludes them from being able to return to in-person learning. If either of these scenarios applies to you, you must submit a COVID-19 Remote Learning Request Form to request a change to remote learning status for the Spring 2021 semester. Medical requests will require you and your health provider to complete the COVID-19 Request for Medical Exception Form. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
By requesting to be a remote learner for Spring 2021, you are acknowledging and agreeing to the following:
- Remote learners are expected to reside at their permanent home address during the entire semester. Since remote learners are not subject to Clarkson’s testing protocol, remote learners are not permitted to reside with other students who are currently studying in person, including in University recognized housing (such as chapter houses) or other private residences.
- Remote learners are not permitted physical access to University facilities and should limit contact with students attending in-person classes.
- Remote learners may not work on campus. If remote work is not an option, students will be unable to participate in their University job while learning remotely.
- Remote learners who belong to a student organization or other University group are able to participate in events virtually. Remote learners are not permitted to participate in in-person meetings or events, including those that are off-campus.
- Remote learners are encouraged to talk to instructors and the Office of University Advising regarding course schedules to determine if a shift in class scheduling is recommended. Instructors are aware that they must provide necessary accommodations for remote learners.
In an effort to provide efficiencies for instructors and students, the Office of the Registrar will make every effort to consolidate remote learners into the same course sections when possible. In order to accomplish this task, please submit the COVID-19 Remote Learning Request Form no later than Friday, October 23. The COVID-19 Request for Medical Exception Form must be submitted by Friday, November 6. All students–undergraduate and graduate, domestic and international–utilize the same form to submit their request.
If your health or travel status changes during the semester, remote learners who wish to return to campus for in-person learning may request to do so by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@clarkson.edu. The Office will inform you of all necessary safety precautions prior to being permitted to access campus.
If a significant change in your health requires you to make a late request for Spring 2021, you may do so by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students at deanofstudents@clarkson.edu. The Office will inform you of all necessary steps prior to leaving campus. Any applicable refunds will follow the Refund Policy as described on the Student Administrative Services webpage.
We are proud of the ongoing efforts made by the Clarkson community, but we must not waver in our diligence. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students.
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