COVID-19 update

Dear students,

Next week marks the middle of the semester, and you have done a great job navigating the first half of spring. The increasingly nice weather and widening access to vaccines are combining to renew our sense of hope. As you think about how to finish the spring semester strong, remember that adherence to physical distancing strategies and limiting your social contacts are the biggest factors in reducing your exposure to risk. Becoming more comfortable appropriately confronting others about their behaviors is also important. As a community we owe it to each other to both follow the rules and kindly remind one another when we stray.

• Fifteen student positives and four employee cases were found in testing over the past seven days for a positivity rate of 0.7% for students and 0.7% for faculty and staff. 
• In an effort to set clear expectations regarding travel for the mini-break not being recommended and for behavior as we approach Rivalry Weekend, we will remain at Operational Level 1. If we stay below a 1% positivity rate between now and April 8, see no spikes related to travel or other activity, and compliance with physical distancing remains high, we will transition to Operational Level 0 on Friday, April 9.
• Routine testing is a key part of our mitigation plan for spring. Almost all students made their weekly testing time last week. Faculty, staff, and peers appreciate the commitment to helping rapidly identify COVID-19 cases so that we can limit spread. If you miss your weekly test, please follow the instructions to reschedule. Missing appointments and not rescheduling is subject to disciplinary action.  
• The College remains focused on helping interested members of the community gain access to COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Goldstein will evaluate whether to require the vaccine in the future.

If you have questions, please contact me.

Annette Diorio
Vice President for Campus Life