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.
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.
University Status
The Colgate campus will reopen to the full student body for the fall semester of 2020 with a modified calendar for the academic year.
Key Forms for the Start of the Semester
- By August 4: Submit address for at-home testing
- Register for an arrival time:
- August 23: First-year and transfer student arrival
- August 24–25: Upper-level student arrival
- Sign the Student Commitment to Community Health
The campus remains closed to students, faculty, and staff, with the exception of essential employees and students who have coordinated residency with the Office of Residential Life due to extraordinary circumstances.
Return to Campus
Employee Return to On-Campus Work
Employees will being a gradual return to on-campus work beginning June 27.
Students
Students who are not registered to be in residence on campus should not come to campus until the University announces its plans for reopening.
Housing Selection
Many students have already selected their housing for the fall semester, and those housing placements have not changed. The remaining housing lotteries will take place in June following course registration. Housing selection lottery times will be emailed to students in the sophomore, junior, and senior classes on or around June 4. About housing selection
Summer Research
The University continues to support faculty and student research. This year the summer research program has moved to an online model, allowing nearly 70% of the typical 200 student researchers to undertake previously planned projects.
Fall 2020 Course Registration
Students in the Classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023 participated in course registration remotely on June 1–3. Questions about courses should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.
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.