President

COVID-19 Updates

December 14, 2021

Dear all,

I am writing with COVID-19 updates. We continue to have spread on campus, and as a result we need to take additional safety precautions.

After 1,400 tests this week, we have 52 students who have tested positive for COVID-19 (test positivity rate 3.7%). The MOST important way to slow the spread of COVID-19 among vaccinated people is physical distancing and masking 100% of the time when you are with others.

  • Effective Wednesday December 15 at breakfast, Gordon Commons will be grab-n-go only, and the Retreat and the Express are open every day this week. The Food Truck is available until Thursday night at 9PM. We ask you to eat either alone or with your roommates or housemates. Chairs will be removed from the College Center.
  • Please stay masked indoors except when you are alone or with roommates or housemates, regardless of the number of people in your group or their vaccine status. Keep physical distance when you can.
  • We are also working to have as many final exams as possible online or in rooms large enough to accommodate all students with adequate distancing. Masks are required at all times in exams.
  • All social gatherings on campus are canceled this week, including the end of semester holiday gathering previously planned for December 16, which is postponed.
  • Students who plan to leave campus on or before Saturday may turn in their keys in drop boxes in the residential houses and apartment areas.
  • On-campus testing is available in the Aula (if you are asymptomatic) with expanded hours tomorrow (Tuesday) 9AM-5PM, and Wednesday through Friday 1-4:30PM. If you are symptomatic, contact Health Services for testing. The wait times are long, we know. We are doing everything possible to hire outside staff to help, but staff shortages are substantial. We also strongly recommend students be tested within the week before leaving campus and 3-5 days after traveling to your winter break destination.

Thank you for your continued attention to these issues, especially during this very stressful time of year.

Elizabeth H. Bradley, President
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
@EHBVassar