A Message about Pre-arrival Testing, Vaccine Availability, and the Mandatory Daily Health Screening
A COVID-19 Update
Topics in this update- Pre-arrival tests
- Vaccine availability
- Mandatory daily health screening
This week we are beginning random surveillance testing of all employees working on campus, and welcoming Citizen Science students and faculty to campus. We want to express our thanks to the students who remained on campus over the break and strictly adhered to the COVID-19 policies and protocols we put in place to keep the campus safe. We tested all students on campus last week, and all those who remained on campus over the break tested negative. (As we announced last week, we had one positive student result, from a student returning to campus from out of state.) We also tested approximately 200 employees last week who are working on campus, with two positive results (1%); the affected employees and a small number of direct contacts will remain off campus until cleared to return. The College’s contact tracing team completed its work in the case of each positive result within 24 hours. Test results are reported daily to the New York State and Dutchess County Departments of Health, and are reflected on our campus data dashboard.
Pre-arrival tests
Our return-to-campus testing protocols are designed to identify sick individuals before they come to campus. Several asymptomatic students, who were planning to travel to campus this week and did not previously know they were sick, have notified us that their pre-arrival test was positive. In August, the same protocol similarly identified several students who were infected in summer and did not know it. Studies have clearly demonstrated that most community spread begins with infected individuals who are asymptomatic, so feeling well does not mean you can skip pre-arrival or surveillance testing. We are working directly with these students to shift them to remote classes as needed.
These pre-arrival test results highlight the necessity of our pre-arrival protocol. Every student who has access to a PCR or antigen test is required to get one within three days of returning to Bard. For those students unable to get a pre-arrival test, please be prepared to be tested immediately upon arrival at Bard, and to shelter in place until receiving your test result the next day, refraining from contact with others while you await your result. You will receive detailed instructions from Residence Life staff upon arrival.
Vaccine availability
As of this morning, the state has added “in-person college instructors” to the list of populations who are eligible to be vaccinated beginning today. Eligible individuals should register for a vaccination appointment via the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form. Another option for scheduling an appointment is through the State’s new COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline, at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). The complete list of populations currently eligible for the vaccine as part of Phase 1a & 1b is here. If you are not sure if you are eligible, you can visit this NYS Department of Health website to determine your eligibility; “in-person college faculty or instructor” is an option under the “Additional Information” section.
It’s important to emphasize that while faculty teaching in-person classes are now eligible to make a reservation for vaccination, demand for vaccines still far outpaces the state’s supply. We encourage eligible employees to register today. Appointments at all vaccination points in Dutchess County were full for this week as of yesterday, but once you register, you will be notified by email when more appointments become available.
The vaccination process is complex and involves multiple layers of government. New York State defines who is eligible by phase, sets the timeline for each phase, and receives vaccines from the federal government and distributes them to the counties. County governments establish and operate vaccination sites, and have in many cases also launched county-level vaccine websites. We encourage employees to visit the appropriate websites for Dutchess County or Ulster County to learn more. Those in NYC should visit the NYC COVID vaccine website. If you live outside of these areas please check with your local county health department for details on vaccination sites. Some counties are requiring individuals to bring proof of eligibility to their vaccination appointment, such as an employee ID card, employer letter, or pay stub. Please contact the College’s Human Resources office if you need assistance with any of these.
Access to vaccinations is currently limited by New York State eligibility requirements and supply, but we encourage you to visit these sites and begin this important process as soon as possible. Vaccinations are not yet available to students in New York State. We will share any new information on eligibility and access to vaccinations as it becomes available.
Mandatory daily health screening
We are all looking forward to returning to campus and to the classroom, but must remain cognizant that cases are rising locally and nationally, so we must be particularly vigilant as we work to reestablish a safe campus environment for the coming semester. It was very gratifying to see how well the students who remained on campus over winter break adhered to health and safety protocols. We ask that all of our returning students, faculty, and staff recommit to making campus health and safety their top priority for the coming semester. We also want to remind all employees that submitting a daily health check-in is mandatory before you come to campus, and you should not enter any campus facility without submitting one.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
[email protected]
Coleen Murphy Alexander, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
Brooke Jude, Associate Professor of Biology
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Emily McLaughlin, Associate Dean of the College
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Dean of Students
Kahan Sablo, Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Michael Sadowski, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies
David Shein, Associate VP for Academic Affairs/Dean of Studies
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
For more information, call 845-758-6822.