Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,
The weeks since my last update have been dynamic, and I write with further information as we anticipate homecoming festivities this weekend.
Following my message of Sept. 3, the University saw a rise in cases of COVID-19 among students. These cases were predominantly asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic due to the 96% vaccination rate in our community, yet our commitment to public health led us to reinstitute an indoor masking mandate, provide additional testing opportunities, and enhance our guidance for groups hosting events on campus. Consequently, after two weeks, we have returned to low case levels. Our Health Analytics Team Dashboard shows just six positive student cases — the majority of those students are in isolation at home rather than on campus.
At approximately the same time that we were reintroducing our own masking mandates, New York State invoked the HERO Act, which requires that all employees wear masks indoors when not alone in their offices. The invocation of the act triggered Colgate’s related health plan to protect its employees from airborne disease, and that plan remains in effect today. Therefore, although our positive case count has diminished from its peak, we will continue to require that masks be worn in indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status. Masks are strongly recommended outdoors when physical distance cannot be maintained.
Operating under these protocols, the University will move forward with its traditional homecoming celebration this weekend. A relatively small number of alumni have registered to attend, and anyone wishing to participate in events must show proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID in the last 90 days, or a recent negative test. We hope you will join us as our student-athletes defend Colgate against league rivals on the field and the ice — view a full list of events and related COVID protocols on our website.
I hope to see you this weekend. As I told students yesterday in our Colgate Together Digest, the fact that we are able to gather in person, to cheer in person, and share the Colgate spirit is a remarkable accomplishment. Thank you for everything you have done to help make it possible.
Sincerely,
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications
Acting Chief Diversity Officer