A Message about Preventing Outbreaks and On-Campus Testing
A COVID-19 Update
Topics in this update:- Spring 2021 surveillance testing
- Testing compliance
To the Bard College Community,
Now that we have completed the return-to-campus process and our first full week of classes of the spring semester, it is an important time to review the current state of the pandemic and our priorities for the coming weeks. The pandemic is at a high point, and while cases appear to be declining slightly, they are still at record highs. Cases in New York and our region in particular are very high, so despite pandemic fatigue this is not the time to let down our guard or relax any protocols. Many colleges are seeing unacceptable infection rates as they begin their semesters, and we do not want to join that group.
Fortunately, thanks to our interactions with state and local health officials and our medical consultants, we know how to avoid joining that group: rigorously adhere to the core elements of prevention, including mask wearing, physical distancing, and frequent hand-washing. But there is more to preventing outbreaks. Herewith a critical reminder of necessary behaviors that are embedded in our campus COVID policies and protocols, including the COVID-19 Addendum to the Student Handbook that was distributed last fall and the College’s Human Resources COVID page for employees.
- Stay home and do not come to campus or attend class in person if you feel unwell or have any symptoms.
- Carefully fill out your health screening or Involvio app every day before coming to campus or walking into class.
- Minimize contact with others, don’t gather in large groups, and maintain physical distancing. The most prevalent source of community spread is through people who are asymptomatic. Feeling well does not guarantee you not a carrier and cannot spread COVID-19. Keep track of your contacts (i.e., who you dined with) in case you are called by a contact tracer.
- Dining at Kline: there is a **limit of four** people at every table. Only remove your mask when eating, and put your mask back on as soon as you have finished eating. Hanging out unmasked after you are done eating is unacceptable risky behavior.
- Transportation: The masking requirement extends to vehicles on campus. All passengers who are not roommates or from the same household and share a mode of transportation on campus—whether it be the Bard shuttle or a privately owned vehicle—are required to be masked.
Receiving a negative test result is not license to engage in risky behavior. Testing is used to identify and contain potential outbreaks, not to calibrate personal behavior. A test result only tells you the state of your health at the moment you took the test. Continue to adhere to safety protocols at all times, regardless of a negative test result.
On-Campus Testing
All students whose last name begins with L–Z received a notification earlier this week that they are due for mandatory testing this week. Students with a last name beginning with A–K will go next week. Students will continue to be tested every other week for the remainder of the semester. This semester’s higher level of testing is necessary because of the evolving public health situation, including the high incidence of COVID in the surrounding area.
All employees are also subject to mandatory random testing, and should watch their emails for notification that they have been selected.
You should always behave as though there are unknown positive COVID cases in our community, because based on current data, there most likely are. Continue to wear a mask in all settings and situations, with the only exceptions being actively eating or drinking or in your own dorm room or home with only your own roommate/housemate, and continue to adhere to campus safety protocols.
We are continually assessing the state of public health in the region and on our campus to determine any adjustments in protocols. Based on the current number of COVID cases and community spread possible, we are not ready to consider relaxing any protocols at this time.
Please remember to visit the College's COVID website, where you can always find the most current information on campus protocols. For those who would like to review the status and number of active cases in the Bard community, please consult our campus data dashboard, which is updated daily in accordance with mandatory reporting requirements to New York State.
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 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
David Lindholm, Interim Athletic Director
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
Dumaine Williams, Vice President for Student Affairs/Early Colleges
For more information, call 845-758-6822.