COVID-19 Resources
Colgate is reopening campus for the fall 2020 semester.
Together, Sustaining a Safe Campus Community
The extraordinary undertaking of operating a leading University during a pandemic is only possible with the collaboration of students, faculty, and staff. We must all work in concert to continue the pursuit of knowledge while taking informed action to mitigate the risks of the pandemic.
The challenges are significant. The strength of this community is greater.
In 200 years of history, the people of Colgate have demonstrated a profound resilience through moments of crisis, both local and global. Our Colgate ancestors have not only weathered such challenges, but often have emerged stronger, smarter, and more aware of and prepared for the challenges of the world in which we live.
Now is our moment.
Together we will pursue our educational mission. Together we will do what it takes to protect the members of our community. Together we will emerge as a stronger community, as stronger individuals, and as a stronger Colgate.
Spring 2021
Commitment to Semester Plans
The deadline for students to notify Colgate about their intentions for the Spring 2021 semester was November 13. All students should complete the Commitment to Spring 2021 Plans as soon as possible, indicating whether they plan to participate in the semester on campus, or via fully remote learning.
Spring 2021 Family Forum
The University hosted a forum for students' families regarding plans for the Spring 2021 semester, featuring:
- President Brian W. Casey
- Provost and Dean of the Faculty Tracey E. Hucks
- Vice President and Dean of the College Paul J. McLoughlin II, Task Force on Reopening Co-Chair
- Prof. Geoff Holm, Task Force on Reopening Co-Chair
- Prof. Eddie Watkins, Task Force on Remote Learning Co-Chair
- Niranjan Davray, CIO and Task Force on Remote Learning Co-Chair
Fall 2020
Frequently Asked Quarantine Questions
According to the Department of Health, students who test positive for the virus must enter isolation. If students are unable to safely leave the campus to isolate at their own homes, the University has prepared comfortable, private accommodations for students in isolation at the nearby Wendt University Inn. Students in isolation receive ongoing medical and counseling care, and can continue to participate in courses remotely if they feel up to it, receive supervised outdoor recreation time, and will receive regular meal deliveries.
Students who enter the isolation protocol, either at home or at the Wendt, may not exit the protocol early, even if they receive a subsequent test indicating they are negative for the virus. This is the policy of the Madison County Department of Health.
Some may feel that the negative test is an indicator that the first test was a false-positive; however, the guidelines in place take into account that there is no way to determine if there was a false positive or a false negative, and therefore errs on the side of caution and safety.
Students are expected to remain in the local area throughout the current semester except as required by academic University-Sponsored Essential Travel (e.g. research project, field based course requirements).
If personal circumstances arise that require a student to leave campus, the University has established a protocol for students to request a temporary exemption. Details about this protocol are available at www.colgate.edu/personaltravel.
Students should be aware that depending upon the circumstances and nature of each request, the student may be required to enter the University quarantine protocol upon return to campus, or the student may elect to transition to remote, off-campus learning for the remainder of the semester.
What We Do
Together we take unprecedented action for health and safety. We do this so that we may continue learning together.
Colgate Together: We are doing this together so we can be together.
We Wear Face Coverings
The science is clear.
Face coverings reduce the transmissibility of this virus. We wear face coverings to protect each other. We wear face coverings to protect ourselves.
Under our face coverings, we are still smiling.
We Physically Distance
Together, apart
We maintain 6 feet of distance between one another. We do so because research has made it clear that this reduces the transmissibility of the virus.
And we do this because we prefer to be 6 feet apart, rather than thousands of miles apart.
We Wash Our Hands
At least 13 times per day
This simple action, which we have always done multiple times daily, protects us as individuals and collectively. We wash our hands because it is the right thing to do, and we wash our hands because:
Who doesn’t like clean hands?
We Clean Our Spaces
We all live and work here.
Cleaning spaces reduces the transmissibility of the virus. On our campus we share spaces — with roommates, with classmates, with other diners, with coworkers — and we therefore share in their care.
We clean before use to protect ourselves, and we clean after use to protect our peers.
We Commit to One Another
This is bigger than “me.”
Not one of us chose these challenges. However, what each one of us chooses to do moving forward might have profound consequences for everyone.
We therefore commit to doing whatever it takes to protect these communities.
Avoiding COVID-19 Stigma
Viruses are not bound by race or nationality. Avoid inappropriate blame or hostility toward any specific nation or its people. Read the CDC anti-stigma guidelines for facts about this illness.