Hello, Colgate Community.
This is my last message to you before your well-earned Thanksgiving break. I will make it memorable by passing along Thanksgiving and winter break protocols, drafted by the Task Force and endorsed today by the Executive Group. These guidelines are based on our successful approach to fall break, so they should look familiar.
Thanksgiving break
Tomorrow, the University will provide LetsGetChecked test kits to unvaccinated employees so that Nov. 23 testing can be canceled. Rapid worried and well testing for students will take place at the usual times this Wednesday through Friday. There will be required post-Thanksgiving PCR testing for all unvaccinated individuals, Dec. 1–3.
Winter break
Dec. 13–17, the University will offer optional predeparture rapid testing for interested students.
The week before students return to campus, the University will offer optional baseline testing on campus for employees. Worried and well PCR testing will be available for any interested student upon return, with multiple testing dates to accommodate early arrivals on campus. We encourage all students to participate in optional baseline testing prior to return, out of an abundance of caution.
Unvaccinated individuals with renewed exemptions for the spring semester will be required to test with an at-home test kit prior to arrival, test upon arrival, and return to weekly surveillance testing thereafter.
Weekly testing in the spring semester, at least at the beginning of the term, will occur on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This will include worried and well student testing as well as surveillance testing for unvaccinated students and employees. Symptomatic testing will still occur daily in Student Health Services.
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We wanted to give you these winter break protocols early, so you can plan accordingly. But, please remember that they could change in response to national and local trends in the weeks ahead.
As of right now, though, testing is not required for vaccinated individuals. This acknowledges the fact that some students will remain on campus during winter break, athletes will return early, and sophomores will be back for SophoMORE Connections. It embraces the efficacy of our plan to rely on vaccination and masking as the foundation of our Commitment to Community Health.
It also reflects our hope that every member of this community will remember to make safe, wise choices this holiday season — while thoroughly enjoying a return to family celebrations and friendly gatherings.
Be well, and take care. Have a restful and enjoyable break.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Take Note
On Tuesday, Nov. 23, from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., ITS staff will perform maintenance on the wireless network. The process will require a reboot of all wireless access points on campus. During the maintenance window, you may experience a 10- to 15-minute interruption in wireless service as we upgrade the wireless access points in your vicinity. In most areas on campus, you will be automatically redirected to an adjacent access point, avoiding any noticeable disruption in wireless service. Please note that the campus wired network will not be affected. We appreciate your patience. If you have any questions or have difficulty connecting to the network, call 315-228-7111 or email itshelp@colgate.edu.
The COVE asks students, faculty, and staff to join our campaign to complete 20 hours of service in honor of 20 years of the COVE. Hours must be completed by April 1, 2022. Once hours are completed, you will receive a COVE 20th Anniversary t-shirt and be invited to our 20th anniversary dinner celebration in April with our COVE alumni. Sign up for the challenge.
Students, want to help your classmates and assist with food insecurity on campus? Donate meal swipes by clicking on “Donate a Meal,” located at the bottom of the GET app. Select either guest meals (premier plans) or a meal from your block plan — enter the number you wish to give, and then click “Donate.” Meals will be distributed to students experiencing unforeseen or challenging circumstances while long-term solutions are secured. Need meals? Apply for emergency support.
Rapid tests will be available to students by appointment only — Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m in the Clark room. Please sign up online.
Upcoming Events
Living Writers virtual book discussion: The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
Nov. 15
7 p.m.
Join us for a faculty roundtable followed by informal conversation about new stories by the author of Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self.
The Juniors
Nov. 16, 17
7 p.m.
The Juniors is a pitch-black comedy about the ambitious and cut-throat world of high school home economics and the lengths we’ll go to in order to protect what we think is ours. Directed by Kat Yen ’09. Performed by Colgate students.