President Wippman’s Writings & Remarks

Spring 2021 Sports Competition and Other Authorized Student Activities Off Campus

March 9, 2021

Tags Public Statements

Dear Hamilton Community Members,

With Hamilton now operating in COVID Normal (Green) status, we are developing plans to resume some long-awaited co-curricular activities.

Moments ago my fellow NESCAC presidents and I announced a plan to resume conference competition, beginning in April, for spring sports. Hamilton will participate in a carefully planned, abbreviated schedule with stringent safety protocols.

In addition, the College’s COVID-19 Task Force has begun to review proposed guidelines to allow student groups to travel off campus with a College faculty or staff member for field trips, research, and other authorized student activities. More information about the safety requirements for these groups will be shared in the coming days.

As long as conditions surrounding the pandemic remain favorable, and policies and protocols across New York and New England permit it, Hamilton intends to support NESCAC conference competition for all spring sports teams:

• Baseball
• Softball
• Men’s and Women’s Golf
• Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse
• Men’s and Women’s Rowing
• Men’s and Women’s Tennis
• Men’s and Women’s Track and Field

The College has not yet decided whether or under what conditions to permit spectators for sports competitions, but many of the events will be livestreamed.

This announcement marks nearly one year to the date when I announced that Spring 2020 classes would be conducted remotely after spring break. We all recognize the tremendous hardships caused by the pandemic, including but not limited to pausing many of the campus activities we associate with college life. The College is making these decisions with the confidence that everyone will continue to put the health and safety of our campus community first, by following all the required and suggested practices. I hope these changes can continue for the rest of the semester and will enable you to resume many of the activities that you enjoy and that make your college experience truly Hamilton.

David