Colgate Together Digest

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Dear Colgate Community,

Let’s start with an update on COVID rates. In this week’s randomized test, we found one positive employee case. That individual is now in quarantine, and a small number of close contacts have been identified. Our diligence continues to pay dividends — great work.

This has been a week of many email messages. We have shared a lot of information, so I’m going to keep this brief and meta. Yes, a message about messages. These digests can vary in length, but we try to ensure that whatever you see here is news that will help you or information upon which you should act. We even bold some lines, knowing that you’re likely to skim. So, please, make sure there’s nothing you need to do based on what you see below. Employees, this means open enrollment. Students, this means registering for a departure time or indicating your spring study status.

Most importantly, Sunday is National First-Generation Day. We will be celebrating with a week of activities specially created for first-gen students, faculty, and staff. Colgate honors our accomplishments, acknowledging all of the benefits that come from our contributions to this community.

Please enjoy the beautiful weather as much as possible this weekend, and I will talk to you on Monday.

Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications 

Take Note

As a quick reminder, all students need to sign up for a departure time slot. You can find the form here. Students must also indicate whether they will be learning remotely or returning to campus for the spring semester. The deadline is Nov. 13. Declare your on-campus status here.

If you hold a premier meal plan you received $100 in Gate Cash at the beginning of the year and will receive another $100 at the beginning of the spring semester. Why not use it to visit one of the pop-up venues provided by our local business partners?

  • Ray Brothers BBQ at the HOP: 5–8:30 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday
  • FoJo’s at the Coop: 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Wednesday–Friday
  • The Royal Indian Grill food truck in the Alumni Hall parking lot: 11 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and 5–7 p.m., Monday–Wednesday; 5–7:30 p.m., Sunday evenings
  • Colgate Inn at Merrill House: 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Monday–Friday 
     

Student Health Services has arranged another on-campus flu clinic on Nov. 12. Sign up for your slot here. Spaces fill up quickly. If you don’t see any time slots when you click on the link, it means they’ve already been filled. 

Retrieve your Let’s Get Checked test kits by appointment at mail services, M–F,  8 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sat–Sun, 8 a.m.–noon. Visit the mail services webpage to schedule your appointment. Do not use your test kit prior to departing Colgate this semester. Medical experts agree that this is not helpful for a number of reasons, including the University’s current infection status.

Open enrollment is now open for all benefit-eligible employees to view and make selections by Nov. 13, 2020. Any changes made during the open enrollment period will be effective Jan. 1, 2021. For detailed information, please see the Open Enrollment Newsletter, visit the HR website, and download instructions for accessing and navigating the portal.

Student Health Services has arranged another on-campus flu clinic on Nov. 12. Sign up for your slot here. Spaces fill up quickly. If you don’t see any time slots when you click on the link, it means they’ve already been filled.

ITS will be performing a Tableau server upgrade on Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 7 to 11 p.m. During this time, Tableau dashboards at tableau.colgate.edu will not be available. If you experience any issues with Tableau after these updates, please contact the service desk at 315-228-7111 or email itshelp@colgate.edu.

Department heads and division directors, the majority of students will depart campus by Nov. 22 and return on Jan. 21. Facilities staff members are developing a plan for staffing needs, project implementation, cleaning protocols, and energy management during the winter break. We need to know your department’s occupancy plans for this period to assist with our operational planning. Please designate one person from your department to fill out this form before Nov. 13 to indicate your department’s on-campus presence. Each department needs to complete one form per building it occupies. Please complete the form even if your department will be entirely off campus during break.

In accordance with Colgate’s Document Retention and Destruction Policy, the purchasing office has scheduled the Confidata shredding truck to arrive on Tuesday, Nov. 10. If you will be sending material for shredding, please contact Molly Ogden in purchasing with the number of copier boxes, banker boxes, bags, etc. Please make arrangements to have all shredding material sent to central receiving by Monday, Nov. 9. All efforts will be made to ensure the confidentiality of the material prior to the truck’s arrival.

A Closing Thought

It’s not too early to start getting excited about Colgate Day next Friday. Find all your Colgate Day digital swag here.

Upcoming Events

Fireside S'mores
Nov. 6
8–10 p.m.
Join us for another evening of warm fires and delicious s'mores on the Residential Quad. S'mores supplies and chairs will be provided.

Diwali
Nov. 7
7 p.m.
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, organized every fall by the Hindu Students Association. A short presentation on the significance of the festival and a small ceremony will be held in Colgate Memorial Chapel. 

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