COVID

## — 02/02/2022

@Student Reminder: All residential College students must come for a second PCR COVID test on Wednesday, February 2, between 2 pm and 5 pm at the Daniel Arts Center. Day students are encouraged to test on Wednesday, but it is not required.

## — 01/30/2022

@Student Welcome back, everyone! Just a reminder that classes will be ONLINE for the first few days. If you did not get tested at the DAC today, you must get tested tomorrow morning between 8 and 10AM in the DAC. If you will not be able to make it to tomorrow's testing, please contact Tracey Cameron or your CD.

## 01/21/2022

@Student General reminders for arrival on January 30 and Spring 2022 Semester: - If you have not done so already, please make sure you fill out the Spring '22 Pledge and Testing Consent form prior to your arrival. The link to these forms is in your email. - Today is the last day to sign up for return testing. - All college students are REQUIRED to submit results from a PCR test taken 3-5 days prior to January 30. **Important information regarding arrival from the preparedness committee:** Upon arrival to campus, students will take both a rapid COVID test, with results available after 15 minutes, and a PCR COVID test, with results returned between 24 and 48 hours. ***During this first part of Stage A, students will remain in quarantine, with classes conducted in-room or at home, until all of the arrival PCR test results are received.*** (Note: This is a change from how Stage A began in the fall.) Classes on January 31 and February 1 will be in-room or at home; we anticipate, based on likely test result timing, that classes will be in-person starting on February 2. The two day JA Writing and Thinking Workshop will also be conducted in-room or at home, January 29-30. Students will take an additional PCR test on February 2, 2-5 pm, and will continue in Stage A until those test results are received and a stage shift is announced. TLDR: Until PCR results arrive, classes will be REMOTE. Please check your emails for an email sent from Sue Lyon that contains more details regarding arrival and opening stages. If you have any questions, please leave them in questions

## — 01/06/2022

@Student Sue Lyon has just sent out an email regarding the procedure for returning to campus for the Spring 2022 Semester. Below are the highlights: - All students must complete the Campus Pledge (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfN-pS5nHeYE2K8YRBl0BOmUA9BUbsHFER8QhE0RnlkNHoVPg/viewform), and the testing consent form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvXT8MpSCLnchItkufVyzUnU1w4oDWa2yNNUNHX9N812TNYA/viewform) - Parents/Guardians must complete the testing consent form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCx30cmo85OSpccM\_C3l3n67YomkFgxKgXkMd3T7Le-YphuA/viewform) - **All College students are required to submit, via email, a negative PCR test result done within 3 - 5 days of their arrival on campus to wellnesscenter@simons-rock.edu.** - Academy students must also submit a negative PCR test. However, given that the beginning of Academy J-term on January 12, it may not be possible for Academy students to obtain a negative PCR test result. Therefore, **any Academy student who cannot get a test must reach out to preparedness@simons-rock.edu.** - There will testing upon arrival to campus in addition to the PCR test taken at home. Please check your email for the links to sign up for arrival testing. If you cannot make it to the allotted times, please contact preparedness@simons-rock.edu. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your CD, campus life, preparedness, or leave them in questions.

## — 12/06/2021

@COVID Updates Effective 5PM Today, students will be in a modified version of Stage D: - Students are permitted to each others' residences. - Off-campus jobs within a 15 mile radius are permitted. - Guests may visit campus outdoors (families are not permitted to enter residence halls). - Outdoor dining is permitted off campus. Students **may not** travel beyond a 15 mile radius of Great Barrington at this time.

1. If you have any questions, please leave them in questions.
2. [5:05 PM] Please remain vigilant. Even though we are in Stage D, it is still important to continue practicing physical distancing and basic sanitary precautions. Wash your hands, don't lick windows, and stay safe!

## — 12/01/2021

@everyone We are in stage C effective 3 PM today, *for students who tested Negative Sunday or Monday*. Here is a list of the protocols as a reminder:

Attend classes masked Masked indoors (including classrooms), except in own dorm room Can choose to be unmasked outdoors o Those who prefer to stay masked outdoors are welcome to do so Students can only access own dorm room, designated bathroom & residence hall o Use lounges, kitchens, and laundry in own residence hall o Masked in all common areas in dorms; maintain 3 foot distancing o REMINDER: At this time students may not go into each other’s dorm room or visit other residence halls · Students may move freely about campus o Use of KAC by sign-up; weekly sign-up links sent by email o Pick up mail and packages at any time; maintain 3 foot distancing in line o Use of Student Union spaces; maintain 3 foot distancing o Use of Library; maintain 3 foot distancing o Studio spaces continue to be available; maintain 3 foot distancing Students may travel off-campus within 15-mile radius, including to town of Great Barrington, following guidelines o College students may travel by walking, riding the B-bus, or in cars, following the protocols for car travel already place o Academy students may travel by riding the B-bus, or on school-organized trips in school vans o Students must be masked indoors off campus o Students may be unmasked outdoors off campus, when social distancing (3+ feet) is possible; when it is not, they must be masked o Dining at restaurants off campus is not currently permitted, either indoors or outdoors o Although students can see family members off campus within the 15-mile radius, those interactions must all be outdoors and masked at this time Indoor dining is now allowed in approved locations on campus o The approved locations are the Dining Hall, and the APC (Alumni Performance Center) in the Student Union o NEW: Seating capacity at tables has been increased to 6 chairs; do not change the number of chairs placed per table in indoor dining spaces o Outdoor dining, dining in one’s room, and (for Day Students only) dining in the Student Union Game Room are still options as well Outside grocery delivery & parent item drop-off allowed, at mailroom Outside food delivery from restaurants permitted, to two delivery locations o Main location is in front of the Daniel Arts Center, where the B-bus stop is o Upper Campus residents can use an alternative delivery location at the Lake Mansfield road gate. o This is different from grocery deliveries, which continue as they have been Family members may visit with students outdoors on campus o Family members are not permitted into any buildings at this time, except to use the designated restroom in the Student Union.

Enjoy Stage C and remember that Stage D is not yet in effect. Please stay vigilant and careful to keep everyone safe.

## — 11/26/2021

@Student I hope you all are enjoying your breaks! Just a reminder that you will need to sign up for a return time/COVID test. The link to sign up is in your emails, and also below. If you have any questions, direct them to questions and we will try to answer ASAP!

## — 10/18/2021

@everyone friendly reminder that we are still in Stage A, meaning everyone must ALWAYS wear their masks, even while outdoors. Please do not remove your mask when walking outside.

Additionally, students are currently NOT PERMITTED to leave campus, enter each other's dorms, or access common spaces (dorm lounges, SU, library, etc). You may enter the SU/Library to print, but cannot hang out there.

## — 10/18/2021

@Student UPDATE TO SYMPOSIUM REQUIREMENTS!!

To accommodate for COVID protocols, students are only required to attend ONE EVENT and ONE WORKSHOP. Please check your emails for a message from Sarah regarding this update! last ping, sorry: If you did not take your COVID test yesterday, please go to the DAC by 11AM to get your test!!

## — 10/14/2021

@everyone Hello everyone! I hope you all have been able to enjoy your breaks, and are getting ready to return to campus this Sunday! On October 20, the first Wednesday after we return, it will be Symposium Day! All classes are cancelled during that day, and students are tasked with attending various events and workshops throughout the day! I have attached 2 PDFs with the current schedule for the events that are during the week, and the Symposium Day workshops that are available.

## — 09/26/2021

@everyone just a friendly reminder that you must wear a mask while indoors at all times (class, SU, lounges, etc), and that your mask should cover your mouth, nose, cheeks, and under your chin. Do not remove your mask to speak to people.

## — 09/16/2021

This is a general reminder to **EVERYONE** about the importance of continuing safe practices as we continue to battle the COVID-19 Pandemic. Continue keeping physical distance from non-household whenever possible, wear proper masks (disposable surgical, 3 layer cloth, N95, KN95, etc), and monitor your symptoms. Please do not wear bandannas, balaclavas, single-layered cloth, and other thin materials for masks, as these are not functional in stopping the spread of the pandemic. Anyone can contract SARS-CoV 2, regardless of vaccination status. It is important to remain vigilant, and help reduce, and ultimately stop, the spread of the virus. I know this sounds repetitive, but many people have been too relaxed when it comes to safety measures taken. Please, please, please stay safe.

## — 09/16/2021

@COVID Updates As most of you may be aware, a day student in Bard Academy has tested positive for COVID-19. As of right now, all Academy students are in quarantine until the results of their PCR tests arrive. Academy day students will be departing campus for the rest of the day, and will remain off campus until their results arrive. **All Academy classes for Friday, September 17 have been cancelled.**

## — 09/10/2021

@COVID Updates Effective 8PM (20:00) TONIGHT, FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2021, the Simon's Rock Community is in **STAGE D** of reopening! What does this mean? - Students are now permitted to enter other dorms (with consent of all parties, of course). - Students must remain masked in common spaces, such as lounges, laundry rooms, and kitchens. - Travel beyond the 15-mile radius is permitted (complete this form in advance: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenKBKmejxes4L5rs\_RNUOCR5KL9rLESvSonf8w40gM7REHrg/viewform). - Off campus jobs are permitted. - Visiting family off campus is permitted. This stage shift **DOES NOT** allow: - Families to enter residence halls. - Families to dine on campus (under DHall tent, inside, etc). - Students to remove masks whilst indoors (class, SU, lounges, etc). I know that we've all been waiting for this shift, but I want to remind everyone that there is STILL a pandemic going on. Please, please, PLEASE remain vigilant. It is up to us to slow down the spread of the virus, and keep everyone safe. Please mask and distance whenever possible. If you are feeling ill, please isolate and contact Safety/Wellness before returning to classes.

Stay safe, have fun, and go drink some water.

## — 09/03/2021

@COVID Updates An email has just been sent out announcing **the move to stage C!** (effective 8am today) Please read the email, but in short, this means: - You may now travel within a 15 mile radius of campus - You may dine indoors at Dhall and the APC in the SU

- You may get take-out from restaurants, to be delivered to the front of the DAC

## — 08/10/2021

@COVID Updates **PART 2: Reopening Stages** A common question that we've been asked is how the reopening stages will be working. I will address the most common concerns/comments below.

Stage A: During this stage, campus will function like it did in "Phase 2.5" - that is, students are permitted to attend class in-person, masked, but ARE NOT free to roam about campus. Between classes, students must return to their residence halls (or designated space, for day students).

Stage D: This stage of reopening is contingent on many factors right now due to the current rise in cases. The dates sent to us are not concrete, and are expected to change. This is to ensure our safety. Weekly Testing: As most of you know, there is NO WEEKLY TESTING this year. Because Simon's Rock has mandated that all students, staff, and faculty receive the COVID-19 vaccine, weekly testing does not serve the same purpose it did last year, and would not prove beneficial to us. There will be testing available for those who are experiencing symptoms of the virus (we will share these symptoms in another update). Please remember that the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to wear a mask, wash your hands, and avoid being in close quarters with people very frequently.

Reminder that students are required to wear a mask while indoors, unless eating/drinking.

**PART 3: Misc. Updates/Guidelines** - During move-in, student families are NOT permitted to enter residence halls to assist with packing/unpacking. - All members of the SR community are REQUIRED to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Students should send a copy of their vaccine card to the Wellness Center as soon as possible. - Until Stage D, students are NOT permitted to enter each others' dorms/rooms. - If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of SARS-CoV-2, contact Wellness/Safety immediately, and await further instructions.

I will provide resources about the symptoms of the Delta Variant, symptoms, and the spread of the virus in another update later this week. If you have any questions, please leave them in questions and I will try my best to respond.