Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,
As of today, 51·çÁ÷’s Health Analytics Team Dashboard shows no active cases of COVID-19 among the student body and one active employee case. Tests conducted last week of 50% of the on-campus population show no new infections. This is great news.
Because we are closely monitoring our current infection status, adhering to a rigorous testing protocol, and enforcing the guidelines associated with our Gates of Reopening, the Health Analytics Team recommended that campus move to Gate 3 today. You can read all of the details regarding this Gate on our website.
Even as we acknowledge these good results, we also know that there have been violations of our Commitment to Community Health by certain students. In a message to the student body last week, we reminded them that, although we are drawing closer to a day when we can freely gather with our friends and see each other’s faces again, vigilance is necessary to avoid compromising the health and safety of this campus and village community.
We also noted that, as a result of large gatherings, some students have already been required to continue the semester remotely with no further campus access, and additional investigations are underway. Last semester, the University sent 29 on-campus students home for commitment violations, and three students in private off-campus housing lost campus access. We will vigorously enforce the commitment.
Shifts in state guidelines around gatherings and travel impact our plans for commencement. Last week, a message to the campus community announced that Commencement 2021 would take place on May 9. This is one week earlier than originally scheduled in order to reduce the likelihood that seniors will travel during the period between finals and graduation. The ceremony will take place in Andy Kerr Stadium — the one facility that meets current New York State guidelines for outdoor gatherings. The University will continue to monitor changing guidelines related to welcoming parent and family attendees. If we were to make a decision today, New York State gathering restrictions and travel guidelines, with their associated requirements, would simply not permit all parents to participate. Regardless, the ceremony will stream live for all who wish to view it. There will be no rain location; the ceremony will be fully online if there is inclement weather. Watch colgate.edu/commencement for details as they develop.
If we are talking about commencement, spring must be around the corner. With the (occasionally) warming temperatures and the promise of green leaves, we also think more and more about vaccine availability and distribution. The University continues to order doses from the state, but we have yet to receive an allotment. Plans are in place to distribute vaccines immediately upon receipt, initially to employees, in keeping with statewide eligibility requirements.
As I said in my last message, if you are eligible for vaccination, please seek out an appointment wherever you can find one, using New York State’s . Our local pharmacies also conduct clinics that can include individuals as of today. Contact them directly for information.
Any return to normal includes attending . Congratulations go out to the women’s ice hockey team, this year’s ECAC Hockey Tournament Champions. Visitors still aren’t allowed at games, regardless of sport, but you can see our varsity athletes in action . We look forward to the day when we can welcome you again courtside, fieldside, rinkside, inside, and outside. I want to acknowledge our student-athletes, who have dedicated themselves to success in the classroom and in competition while undergoing regular testing and other stringent protocols to protect our community from the spread of the virus.
In my regular digest messages to campus, I find myself reminding everyone that we have made great strides on the road back to normalcy. But there is much work to be done and vigilance to maintain. Just as we shared the burden of fear and uncertainty at the beginning of this odyssey, I know that we will endure together so that we can celebrate together. That day is coming.
Until then, take care.
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications