Fanny A. Dart, the Housemother of Hubbard House c. 1880

Overview

We are experiencing an extraordinary historic moment where the COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the way we work, play, teach, learn and relate to one another. 

The Smith College Archives needs your help in collecting material that documents individual student, faculty and staff responses to the pandemic. 

Share your experiences

You can help by sharing documentation of your personal experiences. We especially encourage the donation of photographs and other media as file uploads, rather than as links to online posts. Examples of digital or physical documentation include:

• Personal reflections and stories, journals, or daily schedules
• Zines or scrapbooks 
• Digital images, sound and film recordings such as home movies, screen-shot captures of social media posts, web sites, and blog posts -- with your permission we can collect copies of social media sites

How will this material be used?

The materials donated will be made available for research use by anyone, and available on the open web for anyone to see. This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to tell our stories, but it also means that anyone can have access to this information. If you are concerned, you may request that a 5-year restriction be placed on your material as outlined in the deed of gift.

For Students

We’re looking for materials that document your experiences during the following events:

• Initial responses to the announcement that the College would move to remote learning at the end of March 2020, and that students were required to leave campus. 
• Process of leaving campus and friends; keeping the friendship circle/s; celebrating senior accomplishments.
• Re-entry into non-campus life
• Maintaining emotional and physical well-being
• Adjusting to remote learning
• Life on campus for those who remain in Northampton

Here are some questions to help you start thinking about documenting your experience.  These are not prescribed questions; answer all, any, or decide on your own what information you want to share.  

1. Where were you when you first heard/read about leaving campus?
2. What was your initial reaction to Smith’s campus closure?
3. What was your experience of leaving?  How did you get to where you are staying now? Could you identify others in your same situation?
4. For those students who remain on campus -- what is life like now at Smith? 
5. How are you keeping in touch with your Smith friends?
6. Do you have particular routines that you follow during the day? Are these different than what you would have done if physically on Smith campus?
7. What kinds of routines do you have now that Smith has moved to distance learning?
8. What has surprised, disappointed, or reassured you about this experience? 

Fill out the Archives COVID-19 Project Contributor Form to begin sharing your documentation.

Once completed, you will receive a deed of gift for the materials. A deed of gift is required for all permanent donations to Special Collections. If you have physical materials, please hold onto them until the Archives staff are back on campus to safely receive them. This form is only open to students, faculty, and staff members of the Smith community with a current smith login. Nanci Young, College Archivist (nyoung@smith.edu), is available to answer questions.

For Faculty and Staff

We’re looking for materials that document your experiences during the following events:

• Initial responses to the announcement that the College would move to remote learning at the end of March 2020, and that most of the campus community were required to leave campus 
• Process of leaving campus and colleagues
• Preparing to teach or work from home
• Maintaining mental and physical health during this time
• Impacts of working from home

Here are some questions to help you start thinking about documenting your experience.  These are not prescribed questions; answer all, any, or decide on your own what information you want to share.  

1. What was your initial response to hearing that Smith would move to remote/distance learning?
2. How did you discuss the closure of the College and shift to remote learning with your classes, those students you advise, and student employees?
3. Can you describe some of your experiences saying ‘goodbye’ to those students?
4. Can you describe some of your experiences saying ‘goodbye’ to colleagues?
5. Can you describe what it is like to teach remotely and/or work remotely?  Are there routines that you have integrated into remote teaching/working?  Have you created new routines to face the challenges of remote teaching/learning?
6. How have you been supported in your work from home?
7. How has your research been affected? If so, in what ways?
8. What has surprised, disappointed, or reassured you about this experience? 

Remember, we are seeking accounts of your personal experiences from when you first heard about COVID-19, and the impact it is having on aspects of your life -- particularly relating to your Smith experience. You may contribute as often or little as you like.

Fill out the Archives COVID-19 Project Contributor Form to begin sharing your documentation.

Once completed, you will receive a deed of gift for the materials. A deed of gift is required for all permanent donations to Special Collections. If you have physical materials, please hold onto them until the Archives staff are back on campus to safely receive them. This form is only open to students, faculty, and staff members of the Smith community with a current smith login. Nanci Young, College Archivist (nyoung@smith.edu), is available to answer questions.