Dear Students and Family Members of the Carleton College Class of 2024,
Following months of research and discussion by working groups and committees and engagement with public health experts, the College is focusing on a preferred direction that would enable us to bring the majority of students back to campus in the fall—including all first-year students who are able to join us—while others access instruction online. This concept is now being vetted through the campus governance process. Though there remain many decisions to be made leading up to a formal announcement by July 10, we have been careful and thorough in our evaluation and are confident that we will settle upon a wise path forward.
Faculty are currently working on developing curricular plans for the coming academic year that will be essential in defining the path ahead. Plans related to housing, dining, testing, cleaning, physical distancing expectations, campus visitors, travel, and other important issues are being thoroughly evaluated at this time. While we don’t have additional information to share now, operational details will be shared with relevant governance bodies in the coming days, and our proposed plan of action will be carefully reviewed by the College Council before final approval is sought from the Board of Trustees. We share this information now so that you and your family can begin to put into place more formal plans for this fall, especially for those of you who had previously indicated that you might consider deferring admission.
We remain focused on the health and safety of our community, as well as our strength in providing an exceptional residential liberal arts experience for our students, as we define what a return to campus looks like for our students, faculty, and staff. I thank you for your continued enthusiasm for a Carleton education as we embrace the year ahead with creativity and a commitment to our collective wellbeing, and I look forward to seeing you on campus in September.
Sincerely,
Art Rodriguez
Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid