Greetings, Grinnell Families |
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This newsletter is designed to provide the families of students with important information and a look at life as a Grinnellian. In this issue, you'll find important dates and deadlines and information about student health and wellness, financial aid, and more. |
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New Weekly Communication from the President |
President Anne F. Harris recently introduced a weekly avenue of communication with families, in which she provides information about pandemic conditions and campus life.
If you are not receiving the President’s Community Update for Grinnell Families, please check your spam or junk folder and add president@grinnell.edu to your safe sender list.
In the spirit of community and connection, President Harris also invites Grinnell students to a virtual WebEx lunch to join her in discussion each Wednesday. These are not decision-making meetings; rather this is time set aside for open discussion — a chance to talk, to learn about and from each other’s experiences, and to come to know each other better.
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In April, the College plans to welcome approximately 450 students to live on campus. As planning continues, we, continue to monitor community health conditions on campus, in town, and in the region. We encouraged you to visit Meeting the Challenge for up-to-date information on the College’s pandemic response and changes on campus.
The current campus activity level is Yellow. Level Yellow indicates a heightened risk of infection for those in our community, with corresponding effects on campus activities. Please visit the campus activity level webpage to learn more.
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Testing Clinic Results Total for 2021 |
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For 2021, 676 unique students have been tested; 661 were negative and 15 were positive, yielding a 2.22% positivity rate. A total of 457 unique faculty and staff were tested; 442 were negative and 15 were positive, resulting in a 3.28% positivity rate.
Weekly updates from Grinnell's testing clinic are available on the College website.
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Here are some recent news updates from the College:
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What's Happening on Campus (Virtually) |
Events continue through Spring 2 with:
- April 8: Ilyse Morgenstein Fuerst
- April 22: Shanna Benjamin, Ph.D.
- May 6: Phi Beta Kappa
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Writers presenting in Spring 2 include:
- April 6: Students from jessica Care moore’s poetry and performance course
- April 8: Ed Pavlic and Derrick Harriell
- April 20: Hanif Abudrraqib — Armando “Mando” Montaño Memorial Lecture
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April 28: Alissa Nutting, Christina Lee and other cast and crew from HBO Max's new series Made for Love
- May 12: Alexander Chee — Distinguished Author Event
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2020-21 Academic Calendar
All dates are inclusive
March 19
Last day of Spring 1 classes
March 24
Last day of Spring 1 exams
April 1
First day of Spring 2 classes
May 20
Last day of Spring 2 classes
May 25
Last day of Spring 2 exams
May 28
Commencement
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Grinnell College Museum of Art |
The current exhibition, Face Forward: Portraits in the Grinnell College Museum of Art Collection, continues through April 11, 2021.
The final exhibition for the year will be BAX: Bachelor of Arts Exhibition, April 23–May 28. BAX features work by third and fourth-year art students — those majoring in art as well as students in other majors who work intensively in studio. With support from GCMoA staff, students manage all the exhibition details: from the submission of proposals, to the selection of a juror, to the installation and awarding of prizes.
As a part of its educational resources for families, GCMoA and Drake Community Library have partnered to provide children with virtual drop-in sessions via Zoom: Fun with Art, Storytime, Dance Party, Middle School Art Club, Yoga, and Homework Hangout. Events continue through May 21, 2021.
Find online exhibitions, videos, and drop-in sessions, as well as additional educational activities created to help you connect more deeply with specific artworks, at Grinnell College Museum of Art.
GCMoA invites you to join us:
March 15, 4:30 pm: Curating Black Art Today: A Conversation with fari nzinga and Mikhaile Solomon
Meeting number (access code): 120 258 0902
April 12, 5:15 pm: GCMoA Happy Half Hour with Jocelyn Krueger
Meeting number (access code): 120 102 6503
Image: Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Darkroom Mirror Study, or Aperture, 2017, Archival pigment print, 51 x 34 in.
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Need-Based Financial Aid Application Process for 2021-2022 |
Grinnell students and their parents should apply for financial aid for the 2021-2022 school year by April 1, 2021.
Complete the following forms:
Students should watch their email during May and June for aid notifications.
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Paper Statements for Student Account Bills Ending After 2021 Spring 2 |
We plan to discontinue paper statements for student account balances after this academic year. Electronic invoice notifications will continue to alert students (and any bill payers that are given access) when bills are generated. Beginning in Fall 2021, students will be able to authorize “person proxies” who'll be able to access the Student Self-Service system. This is in addition to the access those authorized users may already have to the online payment portal. More robust, printable statements are available within this system as well. More details to come as we work through this project.
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May 2021 Graduates Charges and Refunds |
In preparing for departure, students need to:
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Return any of the following applicable items to avoid departmental fees:
- A.V. equipment
- Library books
- Meal containers
- Room key
- Athletic equipment
- Check their bill via GrinnellShare and pay any outstanding balance due.
When the semester ends, campus offices will submit any charges for students. Once all department charges have been entered, the Office of Student Accounts will close out Pioneer Card accounts and damage accounts. Any balances will then be transferred to the tuition account. We will send statements to those who owe a balance or issue refunds to students who have a negative balance.
All refunds will be disbursed as follows:
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If we have direct deposit information on file for reimbursements, the refund will be directly deposited to the bank account. If you plan to close the account after graduation, keep it open until the end of July or provide new direct deposit information.
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Students who have not previously provided the direct deposit information may do so through the Banking Information section of their Student Self-Service accounts.
- If no direct deposit information is provided, the check will be mailed to the address on file.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Student Accounts 641-269-4100 and we will be happy to assist you.
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Grinnell Provides Heartwarming Experiences to Gifford family |
Maeve Gifford ’23 lived in Norris Hall her first year, forming a tight group of friends on the second floor. “They’re the kind of people she was hoping to get to know when she chose Grinnell, and they’ve sustained and supported each other during this period of remote learning,” says Bret, Maeve’s dad. Bret and Doreen (Doyle) Gifford ’86 joined the Parents and Families Leadership Council (PFLC) last August in part because they were impressed with how the College has handled remote learning.
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Scarlet & Give Back Day:
Come Together to Support the College April 14-15
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For five years, Scarlet & Give Back Day has brought together alumni, parents, friends, and others to celebrate Grinnell’s commitment to academic excellence, support its endeavors, and demonstrate the strength of our community.
Since its inception, Scarlet & Give Back Day has inspired more than 13,000 donors to support the College with gifts totaling more than $4.5 million.
On April 14 and 15, we have the opportunity to unite once again to celebrate our achievements and put the might of our collective action on display. Together, we can provide additional support for current and future Grinnellians. Together, we can make Grinnell College even greater.
This year’s parent challenge is thanks to the generosity of the Grinnell Parents and Families Leadership Council members.
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Parents and families play an integral role in supporting and enhancing their students' experiences.
We invite you to join in the stewardship efforts that sustain a distinctive Grinnell education. Learn more here.
Start your journey along the Arc of Giving by supporting Grinnell with a gift today.
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Keeping up with the Grinnellians |
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Stay in Touch with the Center for Careers, Life, and Service |
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Additional Family Resources |
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