Marlboro College asked students to vacate campus by March 28 and announced plans to transition to online classes for at least two weeks after their spring break, President Kevin Quigley announced in a post on the college’s website Friday.
“After spring break, all Marlboro classes will move to remote instruction for two weeks,” the letter reads. “Classes will resume on March 30th online and will continue in that format until Friday, April 10th. Conditions permitting, classes will resume on campus on Monday, April 13th. We will continue to monitor the situation over the next month and adjust that date if necessary.”
Students—except Senior 2s given permission to continue their studies on campus—are asked to leave campus by Sunday at noon. Senior 2s can stay on Potash Hill for break only and must leave campus by Saturday, March 28 at noon.
Some students will be allowed to remain on campus, including those from from countries with travel restrictions, those who have their legal residence as Marlboro College, or other “extenuating circumstances that may require continued residence on campus.” Students must fill out a request form to stay which will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
There will be limited dining and health services on the campus, according to the letter. Quigley also said the date of the Marlboro Commencement—the last on Potash Hill if the presumptive Emerson-Marlboro merger goes through—“may change based on conditions related to the COVID-19 virus,” but that the college is “looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our seniors at commencement.”
Quigley ended the letter by expressing his remorse to students.
“We recognize how difficult this decision is for our community, especially given that this is our last semester on Potash Hill,” he wrote. “We have been hearing from students over the past few days, and I know that there will be deep disappointment among you that you are having to leave campus for an extended period. Seniors, my heart goes out to you especially. Please know that we will continue to support you all in your education as best we can in these challenging circumstances.”
