WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College on Tuesday announced that it is raising capacity for its May 31 "Senior Celebration" and immediately ending a requirement that students, faculty and staff wear masks outdoors while socially distanced.

 

"[T]o bring Williams in line with the state's expectations, starting immediately we will no longer require faculty, staff or students to wear masks outdoors as long as you are not at an event and practice social distancing," Williams President Maud Mandel wrote in an email to the college community. "This applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people."

 

While that change took immediate effect on Tuesday morning, the college also announced changes that will go into effect on Saturday, May 29, in line with the governor's Monday announcement that the commonwealth is removing many of its COVID-19 restrictions.

 

Starting the last weekend of the month, vaccinated people "may also choose to stop wearing masks and practicing social distancing indoors, except in healthcare facilities, public transportation and a few other settings."

 

Those settings include K-12 public schools (a requirement that impacts Williams students who volunteer in schools), inside child-care programs (like the college's own Children's Center) and inside congregate care settings.

 

Mandel's letter said people who are not fully vaccinated will still be required to wear masks indoor and in outside gatherings where social distancing is not possible.

 

The college previously announced that instead of its traditional June commencement exercises, it will hold a Senior Celebration on May 31. Since grades will not yet be completed for the spring semester, seniors will not receive diplomas at the Monday ceremony.

 

They will have the opportunity to walk across the stage and be recognized individually. And, instead of a previously announced limit of two family members per senior, the college is returning to its practice of allowing up to six guests per student, Mandel wrote.

 

"Faculty and staff, I am delighted to inform you that you will be welcome to attend and celebrate with the seniors if you wish," she wrote.

 

Instead of using the college's ice rink as an alternate site in the event of inclement weather, extreme weather on May 31 will force a shift to a virtual celebration, Mandel wrote.

 

There will not be a principal speaker as in regular commencements. But the class speaker, poet, historian and musician will be part of the program, according to Tuesday morning's email.

 

"Anticipating a likely question, we cannot change our plans for Senior Weekend," Mandel wrote. "Much as we would like to return to a 'normal' year all around, with only two weeks' notice for this huge change we need to focus on delivering a wonderful senior celebration and welcoming many more guests than we previously imagined possible."