Hello, Colgate Community.
I want to thank the Docs for jumping in with a guest message last week and note that the dashboard currently shows no active student cases of COVID-19.
But it’s my job to state the obvious from time to time. So while I highlight the goose egg on the bar chart, I also remind everyone that many of us have just returned from well-earned trips away from Hamilton. COVID lurks everywhere, as the Docs said, and we will spend the next several days watching for a spike in positivity rates. Please keep wearing your masks indoors, and remember that there will be no University-approved social hosting this weekend. Students, if you have traveled off campus or were exposed to people from outside Colgate, optional testing is available.
Flu shot clinics are in full swing now — watch your inbox for invitations to register for on-campus opportunities, and be sure to keep your appointment if you sign up. Flu vaccination helps to keep us safe, and it takes some burden off of our health care workers.
I’m not trying to draw a parallel, but flu season also happens to be midterm season. Do please wear a mask to contain the bugs, but don’t cover up your stress if you need to talk to a professional. There are resources on campus for both students and employees.
Have a great weekend. Welcome back for fall 2021 pt. 2. Read below for info on everything from hockey tickets to time off for voting. I’ll talk to you on Monday.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Take Note
Family weekend takes place Oct. 22–24. All visitors, including overnight guests, will be required to check in upon arrival to provide COVID-19 documentation verification and receive a bracelet that grants access to events and facilities. The check-in tent will be in the Case-Geyer Library parking lot, noon–7:30 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m.–noon on Saturday. In lieu of showing documentation, students and employees should bring their ’Gate Card to all family weekend events to indicate that they fall under the University’s vaccination and testing requirements.
It’s week two of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The theme is “Follow Safe Cyber Practices” — like using strong, unique passwords and avoiding suspicious and potentially dangerous websites. Learn more on the ITS website. Visit our table at the Coop on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to pick up Cybersecurity Awareness swag, and don’t forget to sign up for Multifactor Identification (MFA) by Oct. 31, 2021.
The University joins fellow members of the Liberal Arts Colleges Racial Equity Leadership Alliance in inviting students to complete a survey that will be used to help foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive Colgate. Check for an email from helpdesk@nacccsurvey.org for your link to the survey.
Free shuttles to Destiny USA Mall will depart on Oct. 23, Oct. 30, and Nov. 6 from Donovan’s Pub at noon and 3 p.m. (returning at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.). Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Questions? Contact First Transit at Colgate.OnDemandScheduling@firstgroup.com.
Register for Oct. 23 shuttle | Register for Oct. 30 shuttle | Register for Nov. 6 shuttle
The Colgate bookstore is returning all fall textbooks to the publishers to make room on the shelves for spring semester books. If there are any that you still need for this semester’s classes, come and get them before Nov. 8. Bookstore hours are Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5p.m.
Employees, virtual TIAA appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 800-732-8353. Appointments are available on Nov. 16 and Dec. 7.
New York election law states that, if you do not have four consecutive hours to vote, either from the opening of the polls to the beginning of your working shift, or between the end of your working shift and the closing of the polls, you may take off up to two hours, without loss of pay, to allow you time to vote if you are a registered voter. You may take time off at the beginning or end of your working shift, as your employer may designate, unless otherwise mutually agreed. You must notify your employer not less than two days, but not more than 10 days, before the day of the election that you will take time off to vote.
Colgate men’s hockey hosts Merrimack for its home opener tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Class of 1965 Arena. Faculty and staff may receive up to three complimentary tickets to this or any regular season game by logging on to colgate.universitytickets.com. Create a user account with your Colgate email address then click “Select Tickets” for the appropriate game to see an option for faculty/staff tickets. Choose the number of tickets you’d like from the drop down menu, and click “Select Seats.” On the following page, click any section but 5 (the Sullivan Suite) or 13 (the student section) and click “Check out” on the following page. Your e-tickets will be emailed to you for scanning at the venue.
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
Colgate University Orchestra, Marietta Cheng, Conductor
Oct. 17
3 p.m.
Dvorak Symphony No. 9 “From the New World,” the charming Rossini Overture to the Barber of Seville, and the romantic Schumann Cello Concerto with the world-class cellist Sophie Shao, winner of an Avery Fisher Career Grant. Admission is free. Everyone will be masked, including the musicians.
Living Writers virtual book discussion: Paul Beatty’s The Sellout
Oct. 18
7 p.m.
Join us for a faculty roundtable followed by informal conversation about Mr. Beatty’s Booker Prize-winning satire.