Hello, Colgate Community.
I write with more information and recent updates about New York State’s vaccination eligibility guidance. Please keep in mind that eligibility guidance is changing weekly, and you should consult the most updated New York State vaccine information at covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.
- Phase 1B now includes all in-person college faculty and essential in-person staff. If you are a faculty member, staff member, or student employee working in any campus department, you qualify under this new guidance. At this time, those who are working 100% remote are ineligible in Phase 1A or 1B.
- Anyone wishing to make a vaccine appointment immediately may do so by scheduling an appointment at a New York State point of dispensing. Visit the Am I Eligible website to sign up, using “in-person instruction” or any other category for which you may be eligible. Once you determine that you are eligible, you can then locate the local points of dispensing. Be sure to take your ’Gate Card and/or a pay stub to the testing location as verification of employment.
- If you are 60 or older and wish to obtain a vaccination, you may also reach out to one of our local pharmacies or any vaccination site.
- The University has placed another order for vaccines this week. At this point, despite requesting supply for four weeks, we have not received any vaccines to distribute. Should we receive a supply from the state next week, we will reach out again with signup information.
- Based on this new guidance, the Human Resources Department will not be issuing letters to specific departments and individuals as reported earlier this week.
While vaccination is not currently required, the University strongly encourages all eligible individuals to participate. The health of our community — and a return to more normalized operations this fall — depends on the strong, safe, effective immunity provided by these vaccines.
Students, if you travel to a New York State vaccine point of dispensing, please fill out a vaccine travel registration form at colgate.edu/vaccinetravel so that we're aware. You will be required to submit proof of your scheduled vaccine appointment in order to travel outside of the area. Faculty and staff members, remember that, if necessary, the University will grant up to four hours of leave to obtain your vaccination and 24 hours of paid leave following your second dose, should you encounter common side-effects — headache, fever, or fatigue, etc.
I’ll talk to you again on Monday. In the meanwhile, enjoy the sunshine and take care.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
A Closing Thought
"I take my research methods students snowshoeing every spring, but it was extra meaningful to see them in person this year. Our class experiment is on the topic of self-expansion (or growth), and the goal of the activity is to experience self-expansion in our own lives. Outdoor Ed leaders Jillian and Ellie led us through some team building activities and we had a great time together. I think everyone learned something new (including me!)."
- Jennifer Tomlinson, assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences
Upcoming Events
InQueery Presents "Racial Justice and Queer Solidarity"
March 18
5 p.m.
This interactive conversation and presentation will guide participants through the identification of barriers that hinder solidarity and the continuum of activism. Employing a radical wellness framework we explore how participants can access intentional healing and community building tools from within and each other.
Featuring ParKer Bryant (she/they), queer influential thought leader in emotional wellness advocacy and coaching for same-gender lovers.
NASC Colloquium: Data-Driven Decision-Making: The Global Pandemic on a Local Scale
March 19
3 p.m.
This panel discussion will follow the virtual talk by Dr. Gonzalo Bearman, "An Update on COVID-19 transmission and infection prevention: Lessons learned, Guiding practice." Panelists include: Geoff Holm, associate professor of biology; Dr. Ellen Larson, physician; Juliana Smith, deputy athletics director; and Priscilla Van Wynsberghe, associate professor of biology.