Smith College will require students to be vaccinated The grounds on the west side of the Ruth Simmons wing of the renovated Neilson Library at Smith College have been terraced into an amphitheater that opens onto Burton Lawn. Photographed on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Published: 4/21/2021 8:47:19 PM NORTHAMPTON — Smith College announced Wednesday afternoon that all students must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to campus in the fall, becoming the first of the Five Colleges to enforce this requirement. At around the same time, Holyoke Community College — and all community colleges in the state — conversely said that it will not require COVID-19 vaccinations, citing barriers to getting the vaccine that raise equity concerns.