Health & Prevention


General Information and Resources

COVID-19 Handbook for Students

The Schacht Center for Health and Wellness has developed a handbook of guidelines for care and connection during on-campus quarantine and isolation. Along with different levels of physical distancing guidelines, the handbook helps connect students with resources, mental health reminders and critical resources.

Social Distancing

Learn more about Social Distancing: It’s Not a Snow Day

Glossary of Terms

Please review this glossary of key terms to help you understand the outbreak.

Face Coverings—Updated May 14

In accordance with public health guidance issued by the city of Northampton, Smith College is now requiring face coverings be worn on campus when in outdoor spaces. For details, refer to the full campus announcement.

Hand Hygiene Advice from the CDC

Make sure you are following these 5 steps, every time:

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
  2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
  4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
  5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.


How to Travel Safely

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. To travel safely, we recommend that you:

  • Bring disinfectant cleaning wipes for your hands and to thoroughly clean counters, trays and seat armrests as you travel through trains, bus stations and airports.
  • Bring and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid close contact with others as much as possible—try to keep a 6-foot distance between you and others, especially if they appear ill.
    • Please note: COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes, when infected droplets land on surfaces or are inhaled by others. Droplets generally only spread about 6 feet, which is why public health officials advise staying 6 feet away from others.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean your hands often with SOAP and WATER regularly.
    Wash your hands:
    • After touching commonly touched items in a public place, such as railings, phones, buttons, kiosks, counters, doorknobs, light switches and faucets.
    • After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
    • After using the restroom.
    • Before eating.
  • If you can’t get to a sink, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
  • Wear a face mask if you are sick.
  • If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask. Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.


Transition of Care

For Students Leaving Campus

We recommend you transition your care to your home providers as soon as possible to reduce disruption of your care. 

To find a local provider: 
Call your insurance carrier and they will provide a list of providers that are in network. If you need assistance or guidance, we will work with students individually; please call 413-585-2250.

To transfer prescriptions:  

  • Call your home pharmacy ASAP to ask for a transfer of any existing prescriptions from your Northampton pharmacy.
  • Provide the name and dose of your medication. 
  • Confirm completed transfer with your home pharmacy.

Some restrictions to prescription transfer may apply, and we will work with students to help with individual needs/concerns.

For Students Remaining on Campus

The Schacht Center is available by telephone, Patient Portal and email for students on campus for urgent care needs during our hours of operation, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In observance of public health recommendations, we are generally working remotely and will work closely and individually with students to develop a safe plan for care and follow-up needs.

If you feel sick and are experiencing fever, cough, diarrhea or difficulty breathing: 

  • Call Medical Services prior to coming to the building at 413-585-2250 or 413-585-2813 during our normal office hours.
  • Alert the nurse of the following: your name, date of birth, your symptoms and your recent travel (where/when).
  • Follow the nurses’ instructions and do not go anywhere, including the Schacht Center, unless told otherwise.
  • If you need immediate assistance, contact our after hours nurse or campus safety.


Counseling Services

Finding a Therapist Off Campus (in or out of Massachusetts):

For students with Smith Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, a step-by-step guide to locating a therapist can be found on our referrals page.

For students with other insurance, here are some tips on finding a mental health provider in your area who accepts your insurance plan:

  • Go to your insurance plan website to locate a “behavioral health provider,” or call your insurance company to ask for the names of some providers in your area.
  • Search Psychology Today for therapists who take your insurance (appropriate licenses include LICSW/LCSW, LMFT, LPC, LMHC, PhD, and PsyD).
  • Contact a college or university counseling center in your area to ask for referrals to nearby therapists.
  • Ask people you know and trust in your town/city if they can recommend a therapist.

On-Campus Services

We are currently figuring out what and how we will be providing services to students who are going to be on campus for the duration of the semester—it is not a matter of if, but how. Next week, we are open for face-to-face appointments, on a first-come first-served basis.

Psychiatry

On-campus psychiatric prescribers will be reviewing their current students’ needs on a case-by-case basis, by individualized situation and location. For students who are leaving campus, and who will face a gap in psychiatric care, prescribers will be offering refills to bridge that gap.

Additional Resources

  • ProtoCall, the after-hours crisis counseling service that Smith uses, will be in operation for the duration of the academic year and is a resource for any and all students (domestic and international) experiencing a mental health crisis. This can be accessed by calling the Counseling Service phone after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and on any time on weekends. Call the Counseling Service at 413-585-2840, and, if it is outside of office hours, you will be connected to ProtoCall.
  • Accessing other crisis resources: You can find urgent care units, hospitals and community clinics in your immediate area who offer care for urgent mental health issues as they come up.
  • National crisis hotlines and online services:


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