Hello, Colgate Community.
Good afternoon, and welcome to October. With my first message of the month, I can note one new student case of COVID-19 — the two individuals we mentioned last week have returned from quarantine.
In spite of low infection rates indicated on the dashboard, our University physicians have told me that call volume at Student Health Services remains at record highs. Doctors and nurses used to receive 300–400 calls per week; they now have weeks in which they receive as many as 1,200. Given the influx, it might take a moment longer for a nurse to call you back if you leave a message. But you will be called as quickly as possible.
The trick these days is to remember not to screen that return call. Please don’t click reply and tell me that you personally don’t screen calls from the health center. I believe you. This is just a gentle reminder for those others who might, maybe, perhaps, accidentally.
While we’re on the topic of reminders, pre-departure testing is available for students leaving campus for mid-semester break this week. Appointments are available Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Following fall break, optional worried-and-well PCR testing will be held Oct. 13–15, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. by appointment.
Employees, please contact our local pharmacies for appointment information should you need a test. Excellus and OptumRx cover some COVID-19 testing — refer to the Task Force message from last week for details.
I hope your week is off to a smooth start, and I will talk to you on Thursday.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Acting Chief Diversity Officer
Take Note
In observance of National Fire Prevention Week, there will be a mock fire demonstration on the Academic Quad this Thursday at 6 p.m. The Hamilton Fire Department, including student volunteers, will be on site for safety and to extinguish the fire. This event will demonstrate the speed at which a fire can spread and the importance of adhering to Colgate’s Fire Safety Policies. Drop by — and remember that the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control will be conducting annual fire/life safety inspections at all University-owned properties, Oct. 6–30. Colgate community members within the Hamilton Fire District wishing to become a volunteer firefighter can contact the Hamilton fire chief during the event or visit the Hamilton Fire Department at 121 Lebanon St.
Employees, Dougherty Pharmacy in Hamilton is in the process of aquiring a molecular test machine and supplies. It is anticipated to be available in the next few weeks. Once available, this test should be covered by OptumRx if the individual has symptoms or direct contact with someone who tested positive.
The ITS networking team will be replacing one of our internet connections on Oct. 12, from 5 to 7 a.m. During this maintenance, our internet traffic will be automatically rerouted through the University’s second internet connection. However, you may experience brief interruptions of internet service. After this maintenance is completed, the campus will have a redundant connection to Internet 2 and direct peering with numerous content delivery networks.
The October Grant Advisor is now available. Search the Grant Advisor or view upcoming deadlines in 10 categories. If accessing the Grant Advisor from outside the Colgate campus network, you will be prompted to enter your Colgate network credentials.
Please note that career services has returned to in-person advising appointments. Students are asked to check in at the Benton Hall front desk. Our professional and peer career advisers look forward to seeing you: colgate.edu/ccsadvising.
Worried-well testing is available to students by appointment only — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please sign up here.
Upcoming Events
SAFE Zone Training: How To Be a Better LGBTIQA+ Ally
Oct. 6
1 p.m.
The Office of LGBTQ+ Initiatives will conduct a Safe Zone training for staff, faculty, and student leaders who would like to learn more about the ways to support LGBTIQA+ community.
Your Zip Code Shouldn’t Determine Your Health: Social Determinants of Health and Achieving Health Equity with Jerome Adams, 20th U.S. Surgeon General
Oct. 6
7.30 p.m.
Adams merges his expertise at the forefront of national and global health policy with his own personal experiences: growing up with life-threatening asthma, as a brother to someone with substance use disorder, and as someone navigating politics to tirelessly champion the health of the vulnerable and voiceless during times of crisis. Sponsored by the global public and environmental health program.
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