Hello, Colgate Community,
In these messages, I often discuss what will be happening on campus. For example, we will be returning to a fully in-person academic experience, with fewer COVID-related restrictions. We will be following expert guidance and adjustinging with the science.
In response to the grapevine, however, I’m bucking tradition and telling you what we’re not doing. We are not implementing Gates of Reopening, requiring a universal quarantine, or delivering meals to entire residence hall populations. I’ll have to find other ways of seeing students — perhaps at something as new-normal as a Brown Bag.
Speaking of new-normal, the employee picnic takes place on Whitnall Field tomorrow, Colgate Day. It will feature plenty of distanced seating inside and outside the tent (barring rain). Attendees should feel free to wear masks if it ensures comfort and enjoyment. Masks are currently recommended, regardless of vaccination status, only in indoor public spaces or where distancing is not possible, per CDC guidance.
If you see newly elected members of the Staff Affairs Council (SAC) at the picnic, be sure to offer your congratulations. The president’s cabinet is currently working with them on an agenda for the next all-staff meeting in October.
When I think about Brown Bags, staff meetings, and employee picnics, I see things the way they were; I completely understand that they are not. Wearing masks in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, is not where we wanted to be. But all indicators — from vaccination rates to arrival day plans — suggest that Colgate is in an unequivocally better place than it was on August 12, 2020.
Happy Colgate Day a few hours early. I will talk to you on Monday.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Acting Chief Diversity Officer
Take Note
The Office of University Communications is holding a professional headshot session on Aug. 19, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., in Cunniff Commons (the atrium in the Ho Science Center). All new faculty and staff members are encouraged to sign up for a time slot. Faculty and staff members whose current headshots are out of date are also welcome to attend.
All departments and offices should ensure that COVID-19 information contained on their web pages is up to date and accurate. Updates can be made by your department’s web content manager or submitted to website@colgate.edu.
Goodbye, Google Hangouts. Hello, Google Chat. Google will be transitioning Colgate to a new enterprise-grade collaboration product, Google Chat, beginning Monday, Aug. 16. The transition will be completed throughout the next two weeks. Learn more about this transition.
The Tableau server will be down from 9 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12, for required maintenance.
Please do your part to keep your Colgate network account secure by enrolling in multi-factor authentication with Duo today.
Masks are available at campus safety. Employees should be sure to order PPE and cleaning supplies through their department COVID-19 coordinator. Students may order supplies through the Office of Residential Life.
A Closing Thought
With rising COVID-19 infections, what percent are among the fully vaccinated? Check out some of the data.