Gratitude, Accessing Campus and Socializing Safely

January 22, 2021

Dear Students,

I want to share my gratitude for everything you are doing to uphold the Compact, stay engaged and keep our community safe. It has never been more important to wear our face coverings and keep physical distance than it is now.

Socializing Safely
As more students return to campus this semester, naturally many of you want to reconnect and spend time together. Maintaining physical distance does not mean we cannot be social. There are many ways to connect with friends virtually, and safely in person. If you choose to meet up with friends in person, please be diligent about safety:

“Limit indoor social activity, and ALWAYS maintain physical distance and wear a mask. If you need to be indoors, open windows to increase airflow throughout the space. Health experts agree – outdoors is better than indoors, though the same precautionary measures apply to outdoor activity.”
— Dr. Melanie Bernitz, Associate Vice President and Medical Director for Columbia Health

Accessing Campus Reminders
For those of you coming to campus, please remember that January 25 is the deadline to get your Gateway Test without disrupting your access. To maintain campus access, remember to schedule your test and complete these necessary steps:

Travel Policy
Thanks to your feedback, there are additional FAQs on the Spring 2021 travel policy website. As a reminder, University travel restrictions apply to everyone, including students who are not coming to campus. Our priority is your health and safety. We all share responsibility in keeping our community healthy; reducing travel plays a huge part in minimizing risk.

Make Your Voice Heard!
Want to help encourage others to keep themselves and our community safe? We’re collecting testimonials and tips on our Instagram! Check them out in our Stories highlights, and send your 20-second video to [email protected] for a chance to be featured and win a $20 Visa gift card! 

We’re also looking for Student Ambassadors to help keep our community healthy – learn more and sign up here!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected] – we’re always happy to hear from you.

Take care,

Joseph Defraine Greenwell, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Office of University Life
Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His

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