Hello, Colgate Community.
We now have results back for 855 of Saturday’s 942 tests, and three were positive. We currently have eight students in close-contact quarantine. Such numbers are well within anticipated rates, but please stay vigilant and remember that our protocols are designed to help you avoid ending up on the close contact list. Review all of our metrics on the Health Analytics Team dashboard, and keep an eye out for updates on another 1,600 test results.
It’s that time of year when I feel like I’m in Narnia. “Always winter and never Christmas.” But here’s my warm, encouraging self-talk for today — thought I’d share it with you. Recently, when I’ve heard faculty members discuss their approach to teaching during the pandemic, they’ve asked each other, “What new techniques do you think you might keep after this is over?”
In other words, we are already thinking ahead to what our campus will be like when the isolation and quarantine, Zoom rooms and family units, daily updates and dashboards are behind us. We used to plan for the worst case, and now our thoughts are turning to the best. Please excuse me. I need to daydream about that for five minutes before my next meeting.
Take care, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Take Note
All First Class Mail for students will be held in student mailboxes in the Coop. During the quarantine period, students may pick up their mail during the hours of outdoor recreation time. It is vital that students maintain all face covering and physical distancing requirements when visiting mailboxes. Read more about package and local deliveries.
While 6 feet is the standard rule for physical distancing under normal circumstances, the number doubles if you’re exercising. Please remember to maintain 12 feet of space between you and the next person if you’re out for a run (across the contiguous areas of campus). Of course, if you’re out for a run in this weather, please remember you’ll need to use separate tauntauns for warmth, too.
Student move-in is a monumental endeavor under any circumstances. A typical arrival day at the beginning of the academic year involves moving approximately 500 new students into residence halls on a single warm summer day. Last weekend, we welcomed 2,700 students back to campus during two harsh wintery days — a herculean task. In that same timeframe, Student Health Services and other colleagues conducted thousands of COVID-19 tests. We’re doing all of this together so we can be together. Thank you.
Employee and student W-2s have been mailed to home addresses on file. (View and update your address in the My Contact Information section on the Home tab of the portal. If your address has changed, you will need to request a W-2 reprint.) Electronic copies are on the portal under All Banner Self-Service Links | Employee Services. To protect your identity, paper W-2s now only show the last four digits of your social security number (e.g. XXX-XX-1234).
IRS Form 1095-C, a requirement of the Healthcare Reform Law, will be available for employees after January 31 in the Colgate portal under On-line Benefit System. Email questions about Form 1095-C to Relph Benefit Advisors or call 800.836.0026 Ext. 7268.
Upcoming Events
Lessons Learned from African American Community Museums
Jan. 27
1 p.m.
An event in collaboration with the Colgate University Museums.
How to Support Students During the Pandemic: What We Learned Last Semester
Jan. 27
12:15 p.m.
This webinar is for all Colgate faculty and staff members who interact with students. Panelists include: Doug Chiarello, Assistant Dean for Administrative Advising; Kristin Cothran, Assistant Dean for First- and Second-Year Experience and Community Development; Dawn LaFrance, Director, Counseling and Psychological Services; and Esther Rosbrook, Director, ALANA Cultural Center
Scholar's Symposium
Jan. 27
5 p.m.
This event showcases projects from Colgate's scholars programs (Alumni Memorial Scholars [AMS], Benton Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Studies scholars [OUS]). We will use the virtual Gather.town platform, which functions like a video game: Attendees join via web browser and move around the conference space, interacting with others, viewing posters and media, and having video or audio chats.
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