Colgate Together Digest

Dear Colgate Community,

While the Colgate Digest has taken a break in recent weeks, the Task Force on Reopening and Health Analytics Team have continued to meet, reviewing data on variants and disease spread both globally and locally. We have remained in close contact with the Emergency Operations Center and Executive Group, and the dashboard continues to be updated regularly — please visit the site to see the latest case numbers, which remain low. 

Unvaccinated individuals continue to be tested weekly, and voluntary testing is also available for students on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

We are sending this digest communication due to the high rate of SARS-CoV-2 transmission within central New York and the recent recommendation by the New York State health commissioner regarding masks in indoor public spaces. We wanted to bring the commissioner’s recommendation to your attention and also provide additional campus context for your consideration.

The Colgate community continues to benefit from exceptionally high vaccination and booster rates among faculty, staff, and students. These rates are significantly higher than those in counties referenced in the above-linked press release. Vaccinations, including booster doses, provide exceptional protection against severe illness and disease spread. Vaccination rates and the efficacy of boosters are among the reasons we have not seen the same disease spread on campus.

You may wish to begin wearing face coverings in indoor locations once again, but we also want you to know that Colgate is not experiencing the same disease spread and has different population-level vaccination and booster rates than Madison County. Community Memorial Hospital is not currently experiencing strain on their resources due to COVID-19. Unless the Task Force sees a change in these on-campus or community metrics, we are not requiring indoor masking at this time.

The one exception to masking guidelines remains the Colgate Cruiser, which, as a form of public transportation, is obligated to require masks. Still, we wanted to bring this recent recommendation from the State of New York to your attention so you could make your own informed choices.

Task Force members have been receiving questions about second boosters. A second booster shot has been approved for qualified individuals. Read the CDC's statement on booster recommendations and eligibility. You can also read more about choosing your COVID-19 booster.

Sincerely,

Task Force on Reopening

Take Note

The University has several test kits that will expire soon. We will offer PCR and antigen testing next week for all faculty and staff members, in addition to students, to utilize these testing supplies. This testing will take place at the existing worried and well testing clinics, held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Schedule your test. 

Central receiving and the facilities main office will be closed at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 15, in observance of Good Friday. Facilities will have reduced staffing to cover essential/critical operations. If there is a maintenance emergency, call the Heating Plant at x7468.

Colgate University is enhancing its safety network by launching the Colgate Guardian app, a new method for community members to communicate with campus safety and access emergency resources. For installation and frequently asked questions, please visit the Colgate Guardian web page.

Approximately 2,000 graduates and friends of Colgate will return for reunion weekend, June 9–11, and many of them will be bringing young children. If you or someone you know is experienced and interested in babysitting during that weekend, please complete this form, and you will be added to the alumni office’s referral list for potential work. Please contact Vicky Stone at vstone@colgate.edu or 315-228-7433 with questions.

The April 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. Be on the lookout for upcoming news about GrantForward, a new subscription service that will soon be available to everyone at Colgate.

Every Friday in April, a new food truck will be at the corner of College and Broad Street from 10 p.m. until midnight. Free meals are available for students on a first-come, first-served basis. 

4/8: Oh Crepe & Waffles
4/15: Byblos Street Grill
4/22: Rio Grande
4/29: Cafe Jarosz