Parent & Family Update

Public health

Fall ’20 Move-Out and COVID-19 Testing for Worried and Well Students

As announced to students last week, because of the excellent adherence by the Colgate community to the Commitment to Community Health, continued random testing, and wastewater monitoring, the COVID-19 test positivity rate in this area is very low and indicates no need for testing all students prior to departure.

In the move-out messaging, students have been reminded that travel can increase risk of infection, so to be careful and continue to follow all public health prevention guidelines (e.g. face coverings, physical distancing, frequent hand washing, etc.) while in transit.

Further, we have advised students that anyone experiencing conditions during travel that may put them at risk should please consider quarantining upon arriving at their destination. Families may also decide because of other factors at home that their student should quarantine.

All that said, individual circumstances may compel some students to desire an individual test beyond the University's testing strategy. Students are welcome to arrange for their own testing, recognizing that they will be responsible for the cost, and that it may not be covered by many insurance plans. Because local and regional testing sites are typically only able to test symptomatic individuals, we have provided information about options for students who wish to order a test kit to be mailed to them on campus under Home Testing For Worried and Well Students on Colgate's COVID-19 Testing and Tracing page.

Updates from Campus

Winter Recess On-Campus Approval Deadline Is Today

Students seeking to remain on campus throughout the winter recess must receive approval. The deadline to complete the request form is today, Friday, Oct. 23. Students have been informed that, due to cleaning, sustainability goals, and to better provide support services, those who receive approval to remain on campus may be asked to move into vacant rooms during the winter recess to consolidate the number of residence halls in use.

Red Folder Provides Resource For Supporting Student Mental Health

This fall, Colgate’s dean of the college division introduced the Red Folder, which provides guidance for faculty and staff members on how to respond to, support, and refer students in distress through a framework of compassion.

Read Article

Voting in the 2020 Election

President Casey sent a message to the campus community about voting in the 2020 election — encouraging students, faculty, and staff to engage in this “opportunity for members of this academic community to practice the kind of civic engagement that a liberal arts education supports and prizes.” He outlined resources for student voters like the Colgate Vote Project and campus support resources that students can turn to during this intense and complicated time in our nation.

Read his message

In addition, the Max A. Shacknai Center for Outreach and Volunteerism sent students this handy spreadsheet listing voting deadlines in all 50 states, encouraging them to make their plan to vote now!

Fall Festival

Last weekend, Colgate's annual Fall Festival featured picture-perfect weather in Hamilton. Students could enjoy warmth and s’mores around fire pits on the Burke / Pinchin residential quads; take part in pumpkin painting and snack on Gilligan's Ice Cream; compete in the Commons Cup BackYard Challenge on Whitnall Field with games like Kan Jam, Giant Jenga, Giant Chess, and Cornhole; and take in the comedic thriller The Cabin in the Woods outdoors, with popcorn provided!

Events

COVID Diaries: A Festival Gallery

History suggests that Shakespeare penned King Lear, Macbeth, and Antony and Cleopatra while quarantined during an outbreak of the plague.

The Department of Theater is excited to present this virtual festival of new works related to Colgate community members’ time spent in quarantine, isolation, and social distancing. The work of more than 20 students is represented. View presentations of their COVID-19-related short plays, monologues, video, photography, visual art, and more at festivaldiaries.colgate.edu. Presented between October 23 and 25 only — don't miss it!

Student Mental and Emotional Health

Did you miss Tuesday’s virtual Student Mental and Emotional Health panel discussion? Find the recording on the Parent & Family Resources page.

Your input

COVID-19: College Parents Speak Out survey

Colgate University is proud to be part of a national research study to understand the needs and experiences of families during the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey will help us and other programs like ours understand your experience and consider how we can better serve parents and families as they support their college students. We realize you may be dealing with many challenges right now, and we don’t want to add a burden. But if you have a few minutes to share your thoughts and views in this online survey, we’ll be grateful. And you’ll be representing Colgate in the national picture.

The online survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. In order to be included, you’ll need to complete the survey by November 15, 2020. After completing the survey, you can choose to be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 15 $100 gift cards. Your responses will be kept private and will not affect your relationship with your student’s institution.

Click here to get started.

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