Hello, Colgate Community,
Last week, during town hall conversations and in email exchanges, we received questions around our use of the words “recommend,” “expect,” and “require” when it comes to masking and other COVID-19 guidance. Readers and participants wanted to know: what’s the difference?
First and foremost, I want to reiterate that vaccination is the foundation of our current public health strategy. Our intention, given the fulfillment of our vaccine mandate, is to encourage everyone to take necessary steps to care for each other and this community because it’s the right thing to do. Some clarity around our vocabulary is also important, so here are some definitions.
Required: These rules are non-negotiable and will be enforced by the University. Violations will be addressed with corrective actions and may result in sanctions through the University’s student conduct process.
Examples:
- Faculty or staff members may require mask use in the classroom, other teaching spaces, or their individual private office space.
- Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks when indoors in public spaces
Expected: These guidelines must be followed but enforcement is the responsibility of the individual. Individuals should see “expected” as an obligation to the community and an action they will self-impose and self-regulate.
Examples:
- Students are expected to wear masks in indoor spaces until they receive the results of their second on-campus arrival test.
- Community members are expected to wear masks at the reasonable request of another individual.
Strongly Recommended: These guidelines are best practices for the health and safety of the individual and others in the community, based on scientific data, and up to the individual to follow.
Example:
- It is strongly recommended that vaccinated campus community members wear masks in all indoor public spaces when risk of community transmission is substantial, according to CDC guidelines.
The Task Force, EOC, and Executive Group members have formed a series of guidelines based on these three designations. Check out the Colgate Together website for full details. As ever, these regulations may change at any time based on science and official guidance. It is our responsibility to stay abreast of the situation — and I will do everything I can to help through these messages. You’ll see another one on Thursday.
Until then, take care.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Acting Chief Diversity Officer
Take Note
Visit the University Libraries website for hours of operation at Case-Geyer and Cooley Science Library as well as Special Collections and University Archives. Faculty members may request course reserves with this updated form. Anyone may schedule an appointment online to consult with librarians and archivists on research, instructional sessions, or collections requests — or email an individual librarian or archivist directly. Questions may be sent to University Librarian Courtney L. Young.
Starting this fall, students can check out items for the entire semester (some exclusions apply). Contactless book pickup continues to be available on the hold shelf in the east vestibule of Case-Geyer and the entrance to the Cooley Science Library. More than 570,000 e-books and collections from around the world are accessible via interlibrary loan.
The Ho Tung Visualization Lab is open for the fall semester. Birth of Planet Earth, followed by a live presentation of the night sky, will run Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:30 p.m. through Sept. 24. Registration is not required, and admission is free. Seating is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Until further notice, masks are again required for entrance into all recreation buildings, regardless of your vaccination status. All Colgate-affiliated members will be required to check in at Huntington cage and show an official Colgate ID to gain entrance into recreation facilities. Cloth or surgical/disposable face coverings will be required at all times, no gators. Stay at home if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Colgate is seeking instructors for PE, fitness, and Focus on Fitness classes. Effective this year, those interested in being an instructor must apply through the applicant portal. This provides an equal opportunity in the selection process. Current employees should log in via portal.colgate.edu and select the Recruitment/ Performance Management link. Employees who have concerns or need assistance with the application process should contact the Human Resources Department directly. The application process only requires experience and certification information related to the course you would like to teach.
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.