Resuming on-campus operations requires careful preparation and effective ongoing practices to promote safety and public health.
Take Preventative Measures
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer stations have been installed at the primary entry/exit of each building, as well as at large, indoor gathering spaces.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain six feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
- Keep at least six feet of distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
- Do not gather in groups — stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others — the cloth face cover is not a substitute for physical distancing.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
Students, faculty, and staff are required to wear face coverings that completely cover mouth and nose at all times when on and off campus, in both indoor and outdoor spaces, when physical distancing of 6 feet cannot occur.
Colgate University will be providing two cloth face coverings to all students, free of charge. Students are expected to obtain additional face coverings as needed and to launder and care for their cloth masks according to the CDC’s instructions on use of and care for face coverings.
- Individuals on campus will be required to wear a (non-surgical) mask in any environment where a physical distance of 6 feet cannot be continuously maintained.
- Continue to hold meetings virtually whenever possible.
- Use noncontact methods of greeting rather than shaking hands.
- Avoid using others’ phones, desks, offices, work tools, and equipment when possible.
Caring for Mental Health
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health in this time of uncertainty. It is perfectly normal to feel some anxiety about the situation and have some concerns about what may happen next. It is a good idea to stay informed through reliable resources and to remain connected to your family and friends regarding communication.
- Helpful tips on coping
- Starting March 23, remote/phone consultation with counseling and psychological services will be available by appointment (email counselingcenter@colgate.edu).
- After-Hours: Call the counseling center at 315-228-7385, for an emergency dial #2
Remote/phone meetings are also available with Colgate's chaplains (regardless of religious identity). Schedule appointments as outlined below, or call the office at 315-228-7682.
Rev. Dr. Corey MacPherson
University Chaplain & Protestant Campus Minister
Deacon Mark Shiner
Associate University Chaplain & Catholic Campus Minister
Employee Health Benefits
Updates have been made to employee health benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic to support employee health and well-being. Learn more about the resources and benefits available to employees.