This morning, the University learned that Madison County raised its SARS-CoV-2 transmission status from moderate to substantial. This elevated status of transmission is now consistent with surrounding counties, which raised their levels last week. In light of this information and in keeping with CDC guidelines, Colgate is recommending that all faculty, staff, and students wear a mask while in public spaces indoors and for activities with close contact with others, regardless of vaccination status.
For context, a community with a “substantial” level of viral transmission has 50 to 100 cases per 100,000 people, or a positivity rate between 8% and 10%. This indoor mask recommendation applies except when alone, in a private office, your living space, or while seated and eating or drinking. In addition, members of the Colgate University community who are not fully vaccinated are also required to wear face masks outdoors in crowded settings when distance cannot be observed.
If you are in need of a face covering today, please visit the Campus Safety Department. Personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies can still be requested, free of charge, through your department or office COVID supply coordinator.
Vaccination remains the best precaution in the University’s efforts to maintain the health of the campus community, and our high vaccination rate among students, faculty, and staff is an effective public health measure for the campus. Infections in vaccinated individuals are still uncommon, according to several recent studies, and even when they occur, they are unlikely to result in serious illness. Wearing face coverings in certain circumstances can add a layer of protection in preventing community transmission, especially for unvaccinated individuals and those with compromised immune systems. Please visit our newly updated Health Analytics Dashboard, which now includes a section documenting our community’s vaccination rate.
I want to thank those individuals who are working to protect Colgate and surrounding communities from COVID-19 spread. The Task Force, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and Executive Group will continue to monitor the science, new federal and state guidelines, and local data. We remain committed to providing a safe environment for all and will adjust our practices as new information and circumstances warrant.
We are hopeful that this new masking recommendation can be relaxed as local transmission rates decrease.
Talk to you soon,
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Acting Chief Diversity Officer
Take Note
If you have not already done so, be sure to register for tomorrow’s virtual Employee Town Hall, taking place at noon. Questions may be submitted in advance via this form.
All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to be tested for COVID-19 prior to the start of the fall semester. Free testing is widely available, and Colgate is hosting an employee testing clinic on Aug. 11 and 20 in the tent between Case-Geyer Library and James C. Colgate Hall. Those who are unable to attend either of the clinics are welcome to pick up an at-home test kit from campus safety.
All employees at Colgate — faculty and staff members — are required by New York State law to take an annual training on preventing harassment in the workplace. In order to comply with this law, we have partnered with EVERFI to provide an approved training program that is compliant with New York’s regulations. Check your email for your unique link. Please ensure that you have completed the course by Tuesday, Aug. 31.
Colgate is holding a career fair on Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m on the 5th floor of Case-Geyer Library. There will be giveaways, food, and prizes. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and former colleagues to attend. Open positions include dining services, custodial, administrative assistants, trades, mail services, campus safety, athletics, bookstore, and more. We also need volunteers to staff the fair and share what a great place Colgate is to work. Sign up now!
Staff and faculty members are planning events around core themes of Colgate’s Summer Reading Program selection, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants, by SUNY ESF Professor Robin Wall Kimmerer. These include indigenous respect and knowledge, sustainability, gratitude, reciprocity, and respect for nature. If you are planning an event related to these topics this academic year, or you would like to include one or more of these themes in your upcoming programs, please fill out this google form.
Colgate’s summer picnic, featuring Ray Brothers BBQ and musical entertainment by Reyna Stagnaro, John Crespi, and Friends, is on Aug. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. RSVP now to receive your tickets. Tickets will be required for entry.
The August Grant Advisor is now available. Search the Grant Advisor or view upcoming deadlines in 10 categories. If accessing the Grant Advisor from outside the Colgate campus network, you will be prompted to enter your Colgate network credentials.
The ITS networking team will be applying security patches to the campus DNS, DHCP, and network authentication servers from 5 to 7 a.m. next Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 18 and 19. We expect no impact to the campus network. This is a courtesy message so that you are aware that maintenance is being performed. 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.