Hello, Colgate Community.
I make no predictions about the future as we wait for more test results, but it is a fact that safe, effective vaccines will be available in the months ahead. Therefore, I have faith that this is the last Feb. 3 on which I will write you a note about COVID or universal quarantine.
While I could do with less pandemic, I find myself wondering if the Commitment to Community Health — which we have made in order to be together — might not be the foundation of something worth keeping, if only in spirit. Its essence is a call to put ourselves in service to each other and our academic mission. Colgate has always been close-knit; the commitment encourages us to expand our definition of responsibility beyond our immediate circles and be part of something great. I’m not sure we need a pandemic as a catalyst.
So, if you are masking up and fetching a meal for your roommate today, well done. (If you’re receiving that meal with appreciation because you didn’t have to go out in the snow to get it, well done to you as well.) If you sent someone a gratitude card, thank you. And if you’re putting your heart into your studies, tutoring, teaching, practicing, snow plowing, or committee work, then I believe these final days of quarantine might be less challenging, more rewarding, and worth remembering on Feb. 3, 2022.
I’ll talk to you on Feb. 4.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Take Note
With the launch of SpectrumU cable streaming at Colgate, you can now watch the same television lineup available in campus residences anywhere on campus using a variety of devices. Bonus: you can also stream on-demand movies and shows, use DVR, and restart select live broadcasts. The service is available via mobile app, via web browser on your computer, or cast to your TV using select streaming devices.
Looking for a missing package? Remember, package pick up is different this semester. You can review the details on the Colgate Together website. If you have not received notification of a package that you believe was delivered to campus prior to arrival, it is possible that it was delivered to the common area of your residence and has not been picked up. As soon as quarantine is over, mail services will do a campus search for any packages still sitting in common areas and redistribute them.
The Department of Human Resources received a facelift in January. The staff would like to thank the many members of facilities who were instrumental in this winter project, led by Matt Hill. Colgate is fortunate for the many talents of our skilled trades staff members. HR will be closed on Monday, Feb. 8, while we settle back into our office. Your patience is appreciated, and we look forward to being back on campus in our new digs.
A Closing Thought
Students have been enjoying physically distant games and sports in Sanford Field House during universal quarantine rec time. Check out all of the available activities.
Upcoming Events
The Grey Zones, Middles, and In-Betweens of Risk Societies: Everyday Risk Navigation Through Fukushima, Chernobyl, and COVID-19
Feb. 4
11:30 a.m.
The Division of Social Sciences presents this semester’s Luncheon Seminar Series, featuring Aleksandr Sklyar, PhD (Anthropology), visiting assistant professor of East Asian languages and literatures (Japanese) 2020–2021.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Epidemiology and Distribution with Professor Bryon Backenson
Feb. 5
3 p.m.
Bryon Backenson is an assistant professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Albany, teaching infectious disease epidemiology, and has coordinated public efforts to respond to H1N1, Ebola, Zika, and novel coronavirus. Presented by the John A. Golden ’66 Fellowship.
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