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Hello, Colgate Community,

We have received all 1,365 results from testing last week and have identified no new positives. Currently, two students are in isolation at the Wendt, and there are five in close contact quarantine — three of those are at home. I would like to start the week by wishing them well.

You’ll notice that we have had some guest messages from my colleagues in the counseling center lately. It’s a challenging time in a challenging time, so it is appropriate to underscore the resources available on campus. On a related note, I wanted to highlight a topic that’s been in the news lately: languishing. Adam Grant from Wharton wrote last week in the New York Times, “It wasn’t burnout — we still had energy. It wasn’t depression — we didn’t feel hopeless. We just felt somewhat joyless and aimless.”

I encourage you to read a bit about languishing, in case it resonates with your own situation or reminds you of a friend. As Grant provides some tips to address the condition, he notes that naming a feeling can sometimes help to defeat it. And, he notes, “It could give us a socially acceptable response to, ‘how are you?’”

One spoiler: Grant talks about finding flow as an antidote to languishing. So I hope that gives you some encouragement to double down on your studies, research, sport, and/or Scrabble skills. Then, we can all continue to look forward with joy to a more normal fall, its fully in-person courses, and regular break schedule. 

Take care, reach out for help if you need it, and I’ll talk to you on Wednesday.

Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications

Take Note

The FDA and CDC have lifted their pause on distributing the single-dose Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine. Colgate will offer a clinic for faculty, staff, and students on Wednesday, April 28, in the Hall of Presidents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This clinic is also open to all family members of faculty and staff, age 18 and over. If you or someone in your family has yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and wishes to do so, please check your email for a link to register for a time on Wednesday.

There will be no surveillance testing next week. Student Health Services (SHS) will be conducting antigen testing on Monday and Tuesday, May 3–4, 8:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m., and 1–3 p.m., at the testing center at 113 Broad St. Students who want to have a pre-departure COVID-19 antigen test are encouraged to sign up for an appointment. International students who are traveling abroad and need PCR testing should contact SHS directly at 315-228-7750 or studenthealth@colgate.edu. Please note: seniors who are not fully vaccinated will need to have PCR testing done on Thursday, May 6, in order to be eligible to attend graduation weekend events — a sign-up memo and link will be sent separately.

The bookstore will be buying back textbooks May 3–May 8, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., at the bookstore and May 6 –7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at Donovan’s Pub. You may return your rented textbooks at any time to the bookstore. All rented textbooks must be in the bookstore by May 9 or you will be charged the non-returnable rental fee. Please contact textbooks@colgate.edu or call 315-228-7472 if you have any questions. If you are studying remotely, rented textbooks may be returned via U.S. mail and must be received no late than May 9: Colgate Bookstore, Rental Returns, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346.

Colgate University will provide free transportation to the Syracuse Airport, May 2–May 9, on the following schedule. May 2–May 9: May 2–4: Noon and 3 p.m.; May 5–8: Noon, 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.; May 9: 4 p.m. Pick-up location is outside of Donovan’s Pub along Lally Lane. First come, first served reservations may be made online. Student requests with less than 24 hours’ notice may not be accommodated due to de-densification requirements. The deadline to sign up for the free shuttle is April 30.

Students, please donate your unwanted items to local nonprofits as you move out. The COVE will be collecting items in tents on upper campus and in boxes in common areas of housing on lower campus. Dates and locations can be found here. In 2019, we collected and distributed items worth a total of more than $59,000 to 44 local agencies. This program is possible due to the generosity of Colgate students — thank you!

"The best vaccine right now for you is the one that you are offered."
"The best vaccine right now for you is the one that you are offered."

 

 

A Closing Thought

It's finally the last week of classes! You are almost there. I know that many of you have several assignments left and need to prepare for exams. In the midst of all of this, please remember to take care of yourselves and use self compassion. Taking short breaks can help you use your time more efficiently. Find time to connect with others, even if it means studying by a friend. Also, don’t forget to get some Vitamin D when the weather allows. It is well known that Vitamin D helps our moods, cognitive abilities, and immune systems. A walk outside also gives you a chance to breathe, reconnect with nature, and put things in perspective. Remember to use your support system and Colgate resources as needed to help you through. Along with the counseling center staff, the chaplains and the administrative advisers are amazing resources, who are ready to help you through. 

— Dawn LaFrance
Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, Director of Sexual Violence Support

Upcoming Events

Physics and Astronomy Seminar: Natural and Synthetic Microbial Protein Nanowires for Bioelectronic Interfaces
April 27
11:40 a.m.
Nikhil S. Malvankar, assistant professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, Yale University, will present. Deep in the ocean or underground, where there is no oxygen, Geobacter bacteria “breathe” by projecting tiny protein filaments called "nanowires" into the soil, to dispose of excess electrons resulting from the conversion of nutrients to energy.

LifeLong Learning Program: The Underground Railroad
April 29
2:30 p.m.
The Underground Railroad, despite its necessarily secret trappings, was a very important aspect of the history of central New York and, more specifically, Madison County. Professor Hodges will share information about the Underground Railroad in Hamilton and Madison County, N.Y.

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