Friends: As a semester like no other comes to a close, our nation struggles to meet the challenge of increasing COVID-19 infection rates. Throughout the pandemic, every member of the Haverford community has done their part to limit exposure and contagion. Thank you for your care for one another.

As you have probably heard via news coverage, public health models are forecasting an increase in COVID-19 rates in January 2021, even though vaccines are now being distributed. Following new guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and our public health/medical advisors, Bryn Mawr and Haverford will be shifting the Spring 2021 semester back exactly two weeks so that we commence classes on Friday, February 12th; classes will now end on May 13, followed by exams until May 22. This shift will give us a better chance to continue the low transmission rates we have experienced to date and will lower risks for everyone on campus and in transit. This change also more closely aligns with Swarthmore’s spring calendar.

Our safety practices for starting the semester will remain, with staggered student arrival dates, testing, campus quarantine, and remote learning for the first two weeks of term. In response to student and faculty requests, the calendar for the semester will also include a “spring pause”: there will be no classes from Saturday, March 27 through Tuesday, March 30. There will be no travel permitted during this pause.

The Dean’s Office will send additional information to students tomorrow. We understand that this shift will require adjustments, and we are committed to working with students and families to support you in adapting to these changes. We recognize that it may be a hardship for some students who have made travel plans to change their arrival plans. Those who would experience a hardship should contact their dean; Residential Life will work with the Dean's Office to accommodate necessary exceptions to new move-in dates. Our International Student Support staff will work with international students in order to ensure that they meet visa and travel requirements.

Thanks for all you do for one another. Best wishes for a safe and restful break.

Sincerely,
Wendy