A Message about Arrival Protocol and Webinars, Vaccines, and New Coronavirus Variants
A COVID-19 Update
Topics in this update:- Arrival protocol reminder for students
- Faculty and staff return-to-campus protocols
- Return-to-campus webinars for students and employees
- Vaccines
- New Coronavirus variants
To the Bard College community,
Welcome back students, and congrats to those who are finishing Citizen Science this week.
Arrival protocol reminder for students
Student arrivals for the spring semester continue to run smoothly and safely, thanks both to our dedicated staff and our students, who have demonstrated a strong commitment to safety through their broad adherence to our arrival protocols, particularly pre-arrival testing, mask-wearing/physical distancing, and quarantining as needed. All aspects of our arrival protocols are equally important and necessary. All returning students, including those living off campus, must participate in our pre- and post-arrival testing process before they can receive clearance to come to campus and attend classes. We understand that returning students are anxious to see each other and reconnect with friends in person, but it is essential for the health of our community that students wait to do so until they have completed all shelter-in-place or quarantine requirements.
Faculty and staff return-to-campus protocols
Faculty and staff returning from outside NY and contiguous states must observe New York State mandates for quarantine and testing. Even if you haven't traveled, please remember that engaging in risky behaviours locally, such as participating in large gatherings or not consistently wearing a mask, can put you and the campus community at risk. Your behavior off campus can endanger the entire Bard community, so please exercise caution as you prepare for return and be sure to observe the screening protocols found on the Human Resources website. Remember that each day you come to campus, even if it is only for a few minutes, you are required to submit a health self screening in advance. You may not bring any visitors onto campus, even members of your own family, without prior approval from the Response Team. Currently, all non-essential visitors are prohibited. We will revisit the visitor policy next month, after the semester is safely underway.
If you are eligible for vaccination and need a letter of confirmation from the College, you can obtain one by contacting [email protected]. If you are fortunate enough to have received a vaccination prior to return, remember that vaccination does not prevent community spread, so you must still observe all safety protocols. Random surveillance testing of employees working on campus started two weeks ago, and will be expanded next week to include all employees. If you are selected for testing, you will receive a notification the weekend prior from either Nancy Smith ([email protected]), Bard’s COVID check-in coordinator, or the Bard Human Resources office, and will have several days and times to choose from to get tested at Stevenson Gymnasium - the same MIT/Broad Institute tests we used last semester that typically provide test results in less than 24 hours.
Return-to-campus webinars for students and employees
To help students, faculty, and staff prepare for the new semester, the Response Team will be holding two “Return to Campus” informational webinars this week, one for students and one for faculty and staff as follows. There is no need to register in advance; just log on at the appointed time. The sessions will be recorded for anyone not able to attend; if you would like to receive a recording of the session, please write to [email protected] asking for the link to the recording.
- Return to Campus Webinar for Students
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://bard.zoom.us/j/87216316832?pwd=aUJlb1FNaFhOZHRjdFBGdDJDK3gyUT09
Passcode: 251453
Or iPhone one-tap : 16465588656,,87216316832#,,,,*251453# or +13017158592,,87216316832#,,,,*251453#
Or Telephone: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782
Webinar ID: 872 1631 6832
Passcode: 251453
- Return to Campus Webinar for Faculty and Staff
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://bard.zoom.us/j/87486550236?pwd=Qis0MXJabGswTEdkRkZlWkVqamlIZz09
Passcode: 122522
Or iPhone one-tap : 16465588656,,87486550236#,,,,*122522# or +13017158592,,87486550236#,,,,*122522#
Or Telephone: 1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128
Webinar ID: 874 8655 0236
Passcode: 122522
Vaccines
There has been a lot of confusion and frustration on the topic of vaccines. Eligibility was rapidly expanded far beyond the ability of the state and federal governments to provide sufficient vaccines for the eligible population. The College has been in direct contact with the governor’s office, Congressman Delgado, our State Senator, State Assemblyman, and county executive offices in both Ulster and Dutchess counties to advocate for more vaccines in northern Dutchess County. We have also volunteered multiple times to both the state and Dutchess County to host a vaccination site on campus. However, until the federal government provides more vaccines or New York State finalizes a purchasing contract with Pfizer (which is currently being explored), we do not expect there to be a significant change in the availability of vaccines locally. In response to a question we relayed to the New York State Department of Health, as of this afternoon we have received the following information on which vaccination points are vaccinating which eligible populations:
- Pharmacies will vaccinate those over 65
- Hospitals will vaccinate healthcare workers; priority group 1a [We have reached out to Northern Dutchess Hospital to find out how this will affect them once they receive more vaccines]
- Health departments will vaccinate essential workers as listed in priority group 1b
New coronavirus variants
There has been a great deal of media attention about new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus, and we would like to clarify what that means for us moving forward. The current science on this topic shows that the new variants are indeed more contagious but do not appear to cause more aggressive courses of COVID-19. The key to protecting against these new strains is to maximize efforts to prevent transmission. We already have the tools necessary to lessen the chance of contagion and illness - mask-wearing, physical distancing, frequent hand-washing, and other existing safety protocols - and we need to rigorously adhere to them at all times. That means wearing your mask consistently and properly. We understand that quarantine fatigue is real, but we are still in the midst of an international pandemic and infections rates are higher than ever. We know what it takes to remain safe - we just need to recommit to doing everything in our collective power to remain vigilant.
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.