Community Notices

Planning for Fall 2022

July 24, 2022

Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,

It is the height of summer at the College, a glorious season in our region. We have about 200 students in residence, working in labs and campus offices or engaged in research with faculty. With two graduations, a multiple-class reunion, weekly campus picnics, and lots of admission visitors, it has been a busy time, but we are grateful for the return to a more normal summer rhythm.

Soon we will be welcoming students back for the new academic year. Students in our Opportunity Program have already arrived, and the Class of 2026 will begin orientation in less than a month. As we plan for the fall, we are mindful that the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Fortunately, effective vaccines, new treatments, and past experience managing positive cases should position us for a successful year.

Following is a basic outline of the College’s readiness plan for the Fall semester:

Vaccines: Students and employees must be fully vaccinated to study or work on campus, unless they have an approved religious or medical exemption, and anyone entering campus buildings also must be fully vaccinated. “Fully vaccinated” for this purpose means having had an initial primary series followed by a booster when eligible. Per CDC guidelines, we strongly encourage people who are age 50 or over to get a second booster. All members of the community are also strongly encouraged to get a seasonal flu vaccine. Flu symptoms can easily be mistaken for COVID-19, and it’s not fun to be sick with either virus. Hamilton will hold flu shot clinics in the fall.

Masks: Masks, while always welcome, are optional, except in the Health Center, where masking is required for everyone. Faculty members may choose to require masks in their classes and labs, and must notify students in advance. Students and employees who have exemptions and are not fully vaccinated must mask at all times in campus buildings and vehicles, except when students are in their own residence hall rooms or employees are in their individual campus offices.

Arrival: We strongly recommend that students and employees who have been away for the summer take a COVID-19 test before returning to campus (PCR tests within 72 hours prior, rapid antigen tests within 24 hours prior). Both PCR and rapid antigen tests are readily available in most areas of the country, including at local pharmacies, and may be ordered free of charge at covid.gov/tests (expect a longer delivery time). This step will help protect our community and enable you to isolate at home rather than on campus should you test positive.

Testing: The College will no longer conduct regular surveillance testing but may resume it if circumstances warrant it.

Once students return to campus, they should contact the Health Center to obtain a COVID-19 test if they have symptoms. Students are strongly encouraged to bring at least two rapid antigen test kits with them to campus and replenish them over the academic year as needed. A limited number of rapid test kits will be available for pick up at the Health Center.

Students who test positive using a rapid test should:

• Note the date on a piece of paper, take a photo of it with the test result with your Hill Card, and upload the image to the Student Health portal so that it can be added to your medical record.
• Begin required isolation.
• If a student would like to discuss a medical concern, they may call the Health Center at 315-859-4111; after hours and on weekends, students should follow the prompts to speak with the on-call nurse. For medical emergencies, call Campus Safety at 315-859-4000 to activate an emergency response.

Isolation and Quarantine: Students who test positive for COVID-19 should go home to isolate if within reason and they meet other criteria. Students who cannot go home will isolate in their rooms. They may pick up grab-and-go food from the dining halls and may use community bathrooms, but they must wear a high-quality, well-fitting medical grade mask (no cloth masks or gaiters) whenever they are outside their room. Students may be moved to an alternate location if they have a roommate who is immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk, as verified by, and at the discretion of, the Health Center. Fully vaccinated individuals who are identified as close contacts are no longer required to quarantine in New York State.

Length of Isolation: Students must stay in isolation for a minimum of 5 full days following a positive test (Day 0). After Day 5, they may resume attending classes and other activities in person as long as they are fever-free for at least 24 hours, have abating symptoms, and wear a mask until after Day 10.

COVID-19 Management: We have set up a COVID-19 Management Office within Campus Safety. Kelle Chrysler (kjones2@hamilton.edu) will assist with questions. Or call 315-859-4141 to leave a message. Given the prevalence of COVID-19 and the tools now available for managing it, the campus COVID-19 dashboard and alert level grid have been discontinued unless circumstances change. The COVID-19 Task Force will meet on an as-needed basis. The College is extremely grateful to every Task Force member and every member of our community who has taken on additional responsibilities and leadership since the pandemic began.

Athletics: Varsity sports practices and competitions will proceed as normal, subject to NESCAC protocols.

As in the past, the College will modify plans as needed to respond to public health changes and evolving guidance.

We hope you are having a happy and fulfilling summer and looking forward to your classes, clubs, and other activities on campus. We will see you soon!

COVID-19 Task Force