Hello, Colgate Community.
I happily give Colgate my sweat and tears, but the Red Cross gets my blood. While I was donating some yesterday, it was great to see Rhett Adams ’23, other students, and staff doing their part, too. Thanks to all of you for being there.
As we were filling vials on Wednesday, Colgate noted a total of 11 active student cases of COVID-19 and four active employee cases.
Without universal quarantine and daily updates from West Hall, I’m left to wonder what President Casey thinks of the dining hall’s Old Bay grilled salmon, but we all must accept change in life. Contract tracing and close-contact responses are also different this year.
Vaccinated close contacts will still be notified but will not be required to quarantine. Close contacts must wear a mask, monitor symptoms for 14 days, and take a test 3–5 days after exposure. (Students, you should get tested on campus via Student Health Services.) Your community is relying on you to report a positive result to HR or SHS and take appropriate action, whether you are using an at-home test kit or being tested locally.
You will only be notified if you are identified as a close contact. Any other approach — telling faculty members that students in their classes have tested positive, for example — could be construed as illegally divulging health information, even if we don’t name names.
The online calendar has changed, too. It actually has in-person events on it now. Event guidelines have been updated as a result — take a look. Gatherings attended only by Colgate community members follow Best Practices. If you’re hosting outside guests, you have some options. Athletics, for example, will use option C for indoor events and option D for outdoor events. Signature weekends like homecoming and family weekend will follow option C.
Wherever you go, whether at an event on campus or off, please take a mask. Don’t share masks that have been worn by others. And wear them properly. As Doc Miller says, “Masks are excellent, but only if they’re on your face.”
Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Acting Chief Diversity Officer
Take Note
Knowing that questions about Colgate’s COVID response will inevitably arise throughout the semester, the Task Force will have office hours at regular intervals in the weeks ahead. Watch for dates, times, and registration links coming to your inbox.
Fresh air is our friend when it comes to fighting COVID. The University upgraded filtration systems across campus last academic year, and the Facilities Department ran building vents at full speed for weeks in anticipation of arrival.
Please join the COVE on Friday, Sept. 10, for an afternoon of community service in honor of 9/11. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to work together to serve a variety of community partners in the local community. Please register by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 8, to participate.
Class of 2025, be sure to register for your place at First-Year Jumpstart — an introduction to Career Services and its new four-year career development plan. Learn about the resources available to support your career exploration and skill-building this year and beyond. Choose one of the three sessions below to RSVP on Handshake (this process may take a few minutes if it is your first time visiting the platform):
Tuesday, September 7, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (Persson Auditorium)
Tuesday, September 7, 4:30–5:30 p.m. (Love Auditorium, Olin Hall)
Thursday, September 9, 4:30–5:30 p.m. (101 Ho Science Center)
The September Grant Advisor is now available. Search the publication 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.
Focus on Fitness registration is now open for the fall semester. Classes run Sept. 6–Dec. 10 and are subject to instructor and lifeguard availability as well as facility hours. All classes are FREE to Colgate employees and their spouses/domestic partners. Student fitness class schedules have also been posted. Take a look.
Drop by the Community Block Party and Club Sports Fair tomorrow, Sept. 3. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. at Beyer-Small ’76 Field before the men’s soccer team takes on Vermont at 7 p.m. Students are invited to learn about all of Colgate’s club sports offerings, and members of the community are welcome to enjoy food-truck fare and inflatable games.