By Liv Pitcher ’23
Staff Writer
Mount Holyoke College will be hosting “Family and Friends Weekend” on Oct. 23, with events truncated into a single day. This significant change is paired with the fact all visitors had to register by Wednesday, Oct. 20, something that, in previous years, was not required.
Despite keeping the indoor guest policy for students in place until the end of semester, visitors will be allowed indoors this coming Saturday. The school has put forth health policies in order to keep the campus COVID-19-free. These policies include a pre-arrival health checklist, proof of an FDA recognized vaccine and a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Rapid tests may be taken within 24 hours as an option for those who cannot access the prior. Throughout the day, those attending will be expected to wear masks both when indoors and outdoors, with guests only able to access pre-designated buildings — including the art museum, the library, the dining hall and the Willits-Hallowell Conference Center and Hotel. Guests will not be permitted within residential halls. The College’s website assures that the information regarding which buildings guests can enter will be provided on materials given to guests.
A wide variety of events will be hosted. Visitors will be able to attend a performance of the play “Fabulation,”view the Choral/Orchestral Concert in Abbey Chapel and tour the Art Museum. For those looking to learn more about academic opportunities, there will be a panel for Pre-Law students, a guide to the trees of Mount Holyoke College and a professional development talk hosted by the CDC. Guests will also be welcomed for a conversation with President Sonya Stephens and the College cabinet.