Parent & Family Update

Public health

Student COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility and Instructions Update

New York State’s COVID-19 vaccination eligibility guidance is changing frequently. Phase 1B’s definition of essential in-person college staff now includes student employees working in any campus department. (Those who are working 100% remote are ineligible in Phase 1A and 1B.) Students should bring their ’Gate Card and a pay stub to the testing location as verification of employment.

At this point, despite requesting supply for five weeks, the University has not received any vaccines. Should we receive a supply from the state next week, we will reach out again to students with signup information.

Meanwhile, there is no need to obtain permission in advance for students who wish to travel to a NYS vaccine point of dispensing within Central New York. They simply need to fill out a vaccine travel registration form at colgate.edu/vaccinetravel so that Colgate will be aware (the form will send them an automatic confirmation). Those who may wish to travel outside of the CNY area to receive a vaccine will be required to submit proof of their scheduled vaccine appointment.

While vaccination is not currently required, the University strongly encourages all eligible individuals to participate. The health of our community — and a return to more normalized operations this fall — depends on the strong, safe, effective immunity provided by these vaccines.

Vaccine Transportation Update

Students have been notified that Colgate is sponsoring free transportation to two local vaccination sites within Madison County today through Friday (March 17–19).

The Madison County Department of Health is distributing vaccinations at SUNY Morrisville and the Hamilton Masonic Lodge on Route 12B. Appointments are available for anyone eligible for vaccination. Please note that Colgate will not be offering transportation to locations outside of these two sites.

These are currently the only scheduled dates for transportation to vaccine sites, but Colgate will reevaluate future transportation needs based on vaccine availability and community demand.

Updates From Campus

Peer Coaching To Discuss Challenges

The Shaw Wellness Institute is pleased to announce its new peer coaching program in collaboration with the Office of Counseling and Psychological Services and Chapel House. Beginning in fall 2021, students will be able to schedule 1:1 appointments with a peer coach to talk about challenges they're facing or changes they are looking to make. Sessions might include topics such as stress or time management, sleep hygiene, loneliness, or isolation. Students interested in paid peer coach positions this fall must take the peer coaching PE course this spring on Monday nights, 5-6:30 p.m. (Course participation does not guarantee hiring.)

Men’s Basketball to Play in NCAA Championship

This Friday, Colgate will begin play in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship First Round in Indianapolis. The Raiders take on Arkansas in one of the first games of the tournament, a 12:45 p.m. start on truTV and also streaming live on NCAA.com. If the Raiders win that one, we will advance to the Second Round on Sunday against the winner of Texas Tech and Utah State in a start time to be determined.

Commencement Updates

Class of 2021
On Monday, President Brian W. Casey’s video message provided an update to seniors and their families about the planned May 9 celebration. We share it again in case you missed it.

Class of 2020
Today, President Casey shared an update about the delayed in-person Class of 2020 commencement for the graduates and their families.

Events

Data-Driven Decision-Making: The Global Pandemic on a Local Scale
March 19
3:30 p.m. EDT

The Division of Natural Sciences Colloquium Series and CORE Scientific Perspectives present the panel discussion Data-Driven Decision-Making: The Global Pandemic on a Local Scale.

Panelists:

• Geoff Holm, Associate Professor of Biology
• Ellen Larson, Physician
• Juliana Smith, Deputy Athletics Director
• Priscilla Van Wynsberghe, Associate Professor of Biology

Moderator: Krista Ingram, Division Director & Professor of Biology

You will need a registered Zoom account, but do not need a Colgate account.

• Zoom Event Link
• Password: nasc (all lowercase)

Final Thoughts

Supporting Your Student: Mid-Semester Check-Ins

The mid-semester point is a good time for parents and family members to have a check-in conversation with their student. It's also a time when students may need extra guidance and encouragement. Midterms, the lack of a traditional spring break, and the ongoing stresses of the pandemic are making this a particularly challenging March for students.

While some students thrive on stress and seem to take it in stride, for many, this stress can feel debilitating. Your student needs to find their own ways of dealing with stress, but you don't need to feel helpless — Collegiate Parent’s article “Mid-Semester Conversations with Your College Student” offers tips on ways to provide guidance and support.

Academic Reflection

“I take my research methods students snowshoeing every spring, but it was extra meaningful to see them in person this year. Our class experiment is on the topic of self-expansion (or growth), and the goal of the activity is to experience self-expansion in our own lives. Outdoor Ed leaders Jillian and Ellie led us through some team building activities and we had a great time together. I think everyone learned something new (including me!).”

- Jennifer Tomlinson, assistant professor of psychological and brain sciences

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