Dear Colgate Community,
All month, I’ve been hearing people on podcasts and TV not making new year’s resolutions. But then I started thinking: isn’t resolving not to make resolutions a resolution in itself? Like atheism is a kind of religion?
Thankfully, it’s nearly February, and I can stop dwelling on it. That ship has sailed. Instead, I can report that the dashboard has logged 53 student cases of COVID-19 as of the end of last week. This week, booster clinics will be held on Wednesday and Thursday in the Clark Room. Sign up for Moderna or Pfizer. We also begin our regular testing program for students. Again, if you sign up, show up. Thank you.
We are watching for the Task Force on Reopening to receive and interpret results from last week’s second round of baseline tests. While we wait, they have asked that there be no food at in-person events, and the Executive Group has approved the recommendation — which includes social hosting events and any other event where attendees would need to remove their face coverings. The pause allows the Task Force to evaluate available isolation space and gauge disease spread before recommending adjustments to the policy for Executive Group approval. Any exceptions in the meanwhile will need to come from vice presidents.
Regardless of ongoing litigation around New York State mask requirements — whether indoor mask mandates or the HERO Act — Colgate still requires masks in all indoor locations and whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained. I’m looking at you, gym-goers. I know it’s a challenge, but when the weight room is packed and all the treadmills are spinning, a chin guard is no barrier against transmission. If you can lift a 40-lb barbell to your chest, you can raise a .1-oz mask over your nose.
Thanks to all for making our first week back a success. We look forward to the moment when we can welcome all those who are currently in isolation.
Be well, and I’ll talk to you next week.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Take Note
Did you know you can reuse your KN95 masks? Storing your used mask in a brown paper bag for five to seven days will deactivate viruses. Learn more.
Testing is available to students by appointment — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m in the Clark Room. Please sign up online.
Effective Jan. 15, 2022, new federal regulatory guidance requires that medical plans must provide coverage for the cost of over-the-counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 antigen tests, including tests obtained without a healthcare provider’s order or authorization. Learn more about the three options available for employees for coverage of OTC at-home COVID-19 test kits.
New York State mandates fire drills throughout the academic year to ensure proper evacuation procedures and fire safety policies are being followed. Fire drills are currently scheduled for 4–9 p.m. on the following dates:
- Monday, Jan. 31: upper-campus residential buildings
- Tuesday, Feb. 1: 113 Broad Street and residential apartments
- Wednesday, Feb. 2: Broad Street houses
If your building is not conducted on the day listed, we will return the following day, shortly after 4 p.m., to complete it. Please contact Colgate University Fire Safety Director Gary Bridge at 315-228-6531 if you have any questions regarding the Kerry Rose Fire Sprinkler Notification Act or upcoming fire drills.
Alternative spring break options are available through the Max A. Shacknai COVE. This year, there are three locations: Hunger and Homeless Outreach in Washington, D.C.: $400; Leadership Development with Pathfinder Village in Edmeston, N.Y.; and Experience Learning in West Virginia. Financial aid is available. Apply by Feb. 4. Please reach out to cove@colgate.edu with any questions.
The spring 2022 group therapy schedule is now available. Sponsored by Counseling and Psychological Services, Haven, and Shaw Wellness Institute.
The 2021 Wage and Tax Statements (IRS form W-2), for both employees and students, have been mailed to the home address on file. An electronic version of the W-2 is also available on the portal, under All Banner Self-Service Links, then select Employee Services. In an ongoing effort to protect employee personal identification information, the social security number on the paper copy W-2 form has been truncated again this year to only show the last four digits, e.g. XXX-XX-1234. Address information can be viewed and updated 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. Questions regarding W-2s and requests for reprints of paper copies can be sent to payroll@colgate.edu. Reprints of paper W-2s will begin the first week in February and will be run weekly.
IRS Form 1095-C, a requirement of the Healthcare Reform Law, will be available after Jan. 31. This form is for employees (not students) who were eligible for health insurance coverage through Colgate University in 2021. The form is available whether an employee participated in the coverage or not and can be found in the Colgate portal under the On-line Benefit System. Questions about Form 1095-C can be directed to Relph Benefit Advisors at 800.836.0026 Ext. 7268 or cuservice@relph.net.
Employees, Seven Oaks at Merrill House reopens Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please call x7500 to make a reservation (recommended, but not required) or order to-go.
Help us perfect Colgate’s Rave Guardian system. This secure app, launching universitywide in March, puts the campus blue light system on your phone, allowing you to call campus safety and local first responders to your location in case of emergency. Invite friends and family to monitor your progress as you walk across campus, and receive important safety information. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to participate in the test phase. Read more and fill out this form.