Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,
Next week, on Nov. 20, most Colgate University students will begin to depart campus for Thanksgiving break, marking the end of in-person instruction for the fall semester. Students will complete the rest of the semester remotely from their homes. While the consistently low COVID-19 infection rate on campus stands in stark contrast to the surge elsewhere, we know that our vigilance must continue in the days ahead.
During last week’s randomized testing for students, faculty, and staff, we identified one positive employee case, and all student tests came back negative. Colgate had only two positive student COVID-19 cases between Sept. 22 and Oct. 12 — and none since that date. The University’s combined student and employee infection rate based on a seven-day rolling average is 0.003%. These results are reflected on our Health Analytics Team dashboard and in our daily updates to campus, all of which can be accessed on our website.
If you have been reading the local and national news, you will know that many colleges and universities (some just around the corner) are wrestling with outbreaks, quarantines, and closings. Our success to-date is due to careful planning, broad adherence to the Commitment to Community Health, and your support in making our science-based approach to in-person education work.
Last week, we were able to move to Gate 4, which allows for gatherings of up to 50 individuals, in alignment with New York State guidelines. We have reminded students that they must continue to follow all University policies developed by the Emergency Operations Center and Task Force on Reopening to preserve the safety of the community. Read more at colgate.edu/gates. We have made it clear that, while students originally made a commitment to protect classmates, friends, professors, mentors, and village residents, their good work will also help to protect their own families next week as many of them return home. Continued adherence is vital to the overall success of the semester, and students who violate the commitment at this point risk being unable to join us for in-person instruction in the spring.
The University is modeling that message through its operations. Students leaving campus next week must register for a departure time and take a COVID home test kit with them in anticipation of a return next semester. If families are coming in person to pick up their students, they may not enter University facilities.
We will continue to test approximately 6–10% of the community as usual before break, and we will continue to test 6–10% of those who have been authorized to remain here between November and January. Students who remain here include a limited number of international students and others who have received specific permission for a variety of personal or academic reasons. Some are athletes who will participate in Patriot League competition endorsed by the Patriot League Council of Presidents on Monday. As President Casey noted in his message to campus, the return to athletics competition will be contingent on the Patriot League and its member institutions being able to compete in ways that protect the health and safety of student-athletes, coaches, staff members, and the community. Please read President Casey’s full message on our website.
In light of all this news, we can say that the conclusion of fall in-person instruction is actually a new beginning. We will reassert our commitment to the health and safety of the Village of Hamilton and Town of Hamilton. We will continue to find ways to do what Colgate does best in spite of this pandemic. And we will, as ever, express our thanks to you for your patience, understanding, support, and engagement. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Laura H. Jack
Vice President for Communications