Hello, Colgate Community.
I write with two big asks today:
- Get vaccinated.
- Share your vaccination status confidentiality. Access the survey via this link or through the portal.
Here’s why: With just a few weeks left in the semester, our metrics are moving in the opposite direction of finishing strong. As you are aware, COVID-19 continues to spread internationally, nationally, regionally, and now at Colgate. Our testing program has identified increasing numbers of cases, many asymptomatic. We currently have 15 positive individuals and 77 students in close contact quarantine. Isolation and quarantine procedures are being implemented in hopes of containing these infections, and we send well wishes to all affected. Our commitment to community health is just as critical today as it was the day you returned to campus in January.
Our second line of defense against COVID-19 is vaccinations for all eligible individuals. We are fortunate to be receiving hundreds of doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week.
There is urgency to get vaccinated this week for a few reasons:
- The University is engaged in an analysis of the steps to be taken to announce a vaccine requirement for students to enroll in the fall semester.
- Indications are pointing to an 86% drop in the availability of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- The Moderna and Pfizer vaccine require a commitment of at least five weeks for the first and second shot and time to achieve full potency. For students, the majority will now need to explore vaccination options at home.
Given the strong likelihood of such a requirement for enrollment next year (with exemptions as stipulated by New York State regulations), and given the ready availability of single-dose vaccinations on campus this week, we are strongly urging every student who has not yet been vaccinated or begun a multi-step vaccination process to sign up for the vaccines available this week.
Faculty and staff members should also seek out the first available opportunity to receive a vaccination. You will receive an email tomorrow about immediate opportunities here on campus.
These are the steps we must take to finish strong. I am proud to be a part of a community that has rallied to keep its members safe, and I look forward to the moment when we can look back on our efforts — as we did last semester — and take equal pride in what we have accomplished together.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Take Note
Join us in celebrating our 13th Annual 13 Days of Green. This Colgate tradition, leading up to Earth Day, highlights local and global sustainability challenges and initiatives and demonstrates what individuals can do to inspire change. The full event list can be found on the Colgate calendar and includes an upcoming clothing swap, Afternoon of Service, and Green Summit featuring award-winning nature photographer James Balog.
Donation boxes have been placed in buildings throughout campus, such as the COOP, Frank Dining Hall, and the Edge Cafe for the clothing swap event this Thursday. If you have a larger donation, please reach out to ereiser@colgate.edu to arrange for a pickup. Thank you, and remember that even the smallest donations will make a big difference.
On Saturday and Sunday morning, April 17, and 18, from 4 to 7 a.m., the ITS networking team will be making changes to the campus network. These changes will allow ITS to finalize the transition to the new high-speed next generation network. This network maintenance will occur during off-peak hours and has the potential to degrade network performance. We appreciate your patience and support. The new next generation network will provide a stable, secure, and high-performing network to the campus community for years to come. If you have any questions or have difficulty connecting to any services after this maintenance, please contact us at 315-228-7111 or email itshelp@colgate.edu.
Sign up to make art for free with Senior Honor Society. On Tuesday April 13 and Tuesday April 20, stop by the HOP from 8 to 10 p.m. for a free, in-person artmaking session open to all students. Art supplies will be provided and you can stay as little or as long as you’d like. This week, former Colgate professor and community artist Dawn Weleski will lead the event with a focus on social justice as it relates to Colgate and the Senior Honor Society name change. Register.
The reported efficacy of J&J vaccine is lower than Moderna and Pfizer. Should I be concerned?
Absolutely not. All three vaccines have shown almost 100% effectiveness at preventing hospitalization and death following SARS-CoV-2 infection — the primary goal. Additionally, because the J&J trial was slightly delayed, it was tested when SARS-CoV-2 variants were circulating, so it faced a tougher test. The fact that it displayed such a high efficacy in trials is impressive, given the nature of the variants. The J&J vaccine has the added benefit of being a single dose — you reach full immunity sooner than with either of the others. So if you get vaccinated now, by the start of finals week, you won’t have to quarantine if you are identified as a close contact. – Geoff Holm, associate professor of biology
A Closing Thought
Vaccine is the best way to boost your immune system in the fight against COVID-19. But what about tackling other bugs that can compromise your health? Here are some, “Helpful ways to strengthen your immune system and fight off disease.”
Upcoming Events
Astronomical Adventures with Professor Anthony Aveni
April 13
10 a.m.
Star ’Gate will be hosting Anthony Aveni, Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor of astronomy and anthropology and Native American studies emeritus, to regale us with tales of the stars from civilizations young and old. The first 30 registrants will receive a signed copy of Professor Aveni’s latest book, Star Stories: Constellations and People.
Small Press Reading Series: Poetry Edition
April 13
4:30 p.m.
Spring 2021 will feature poets Albert Abonado (author of Jaw and recent NEA grant recipient), DeMisty D. Bellinger (author of Rubbing Elbows and professor at Fitchburg State University), and Trevor Ketner (author of [WHITE] and 2020 National Poetry Series Winner).
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