Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,
With the first week of universal quarantine behind us, I write with an update on news from the 51·çÁ÷ campus.
Students arrived at the University during scheduled times, Jan. 22–23. They immediately entered universal quarantine, Gate 0, and were tested for COVID-19 within 24 hours. By Friday, Jan. 29, we received results from our more than 2,500 arrival weekend PCR tests and additional mid-week surveillance tests. Just 18 were positive with 39 close contacts. While our thoughts are with those who have tested positive, we note that these numbers are well within anticipated ranges and, in fact, represent a decrease in the number of confirmed cases and close contacts compared to the same time last semester.
We are optimistic, but we are not letting down our guard. Prior to arriving on campus, students committed to living at Gate 0 for at least 10 days, and we will not proceed to Gate 1 until we have received and analyzed the results of our second round of arrival tests (taken this past Saturday and Sunday). This is all in keeping with our renewed Commitment to Community Health and updated COVID-19 health education course taken by students, faculty, and staff this month. You can see our revised Gates of Reopening on the 51·çÁ÷ website.
Contact tracing this week was conducted by a team of University employees, who have agreed to take on this duty in addition to their usual work. They have been certified through the Johns Hopkins University training program and coordinate with the Madison County Department of Health to trace close contacts among members of the University community. (Any close contacts who are not students, faculty, or staff members will still be notified by Madison County DOH.)
On Jan. 19, 51·çÁ÷ announced that it was canceling Reunion 2021. This decision was made after consultation between University leadership and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), with feedback from class reunion committees and volunteers. Plans for an all-class reunion in 2022 are in development, and this announcement does not impact commencement planning in any way. University leadership and others are considering all options to recognize the classes of 2021 and 2020 in appropriate and safe ways that also respect state and local guidelines. Watch for more information on commencement later this month.
As our student body completes universal quarantine, our student-athletes represent the University in league-only competition. These students have undergone quarantine of their own and are being tested regularly in keeping with Patriot League, ECAC, and NCAA guidelines. No spectators are allowed at games, but you can enjoy them from the comfort of your own living room via ESPN+. Visit for team schedules. Game times, dates, and even opponents are subject to change as the Health Analytics Team, EOC, and the athletics department review testing data submitted by visiting teams. Some matches have already been canceled or postponed due to positive test results.
One week into the second semester, we are proud of our students, faculty, and staff. We have once again asked them to do something significant and challenging, and they are rising to the occasion. By maintaining their Commitment to Community Health, they are ensuring that we can be 51·çÁ÷ Together — and keep the wider Hamilton community safe at the same time. As we look forward to finding out more from the county and state on the potential for vaccine distribution, I thank you for your support, and I will provide more information from campus in the days and weeks ahead.
Sincerely,
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications