Dear Members of the Colgate Community,
Earlier this week, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the vast majority of the remaining COVID-19 prevention restrictions have now been lifted in light of the fact that 70% of all adults in New York State have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination.
Following the news of the governor’s announcement, Colgate’s crisis management teams — Emergency Operations Center, the Health Analytics Team, and the Executive Group — have all met to conduct an infection-control and impact analysis of the newly announced changes in state guidance. Vaccinations will still be required for all faculty, staff, and students. Additional details about submission of proof of vaccination and how to obtain a religious or medical exemption will be shared early next week.
In light of the University’s review, please note the following changes to our campus COVID-19 prevention measures:
Effective Immediately
- Fully vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear face coverings or maintain physical distancing in most settings on campus. There will be clear signage in any areas where masking and distancing are still required.
- Indoor and outdoor gathering limits are no longer in effect. Gatherings with people from outside the campus community are still subject to review by the Event Safety Group.
- Offices, classrooms, laboratories, restrooms, and dining facilities can return to full occupancy.
Notable Exceptions
- All unvaccinated individuals are expected to wear a face covering on campus while indoors and in any setting where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Restrictions on food at in-person gatherings will continue until July 1. Additional details will be forthcoming.
- Andy Kerr Stadium continues to be subject to guidelines for large-scale venues.
- Public and on-campus mass transportation, including the Colgate Cruiser, still require physical distancing and face coverings for all passengers per federal guidelines.
- Physical distancing and face coverings continue to be required in health care facilities, including at Student Health Services.
- All students previously approved to arrive on the remaining summer landing dates prior to August 2 (June 28 and July 6), regardless of vaccination status, are still required to complete a pre-arrival and arrival PCR test. Upon receipt of a negative arrival test result, students may attend class and/or work in person. The 7-day follow-up test will not be required for fully vaccinated students.
- Additional restrictions may remain for some parts of campus that regularly welcome visitors from outside the campus community, such as the fitness facilities, admission, and summer camps and conferences.
Please continue to self monitor and do not report to work if you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
We respect and support all members of our campus community who choose to continue to wear face coverings for a variety of reasons.
As with all of the University’s public-health guidelines throughout the past year, the Health Analytics Team continues to monitor the national, state, and local COVID-19 situation, and all of our measures remain subject to changes as needed. Once again, we thank you for your commitment to this community’s health, and for your understanding as we navigate our return to a more normal fall semester.
With regards,
Dr. Merrill Miller
University Physician
Director Student Health Services
Dr. Ellen Larson
University Physician