As we approach winter break, we would like to share some reminders to help ensure a healthy return to campus in January. We know that this time of year often includes family gatherings, seasonal jobs and other activities that bring people close together indoors, and that there are many respiratory illnesses circulating this season, including COVID-19, influenza and RSV. We strongly encourage students to:

• Practice good hand hygiene, washing hands frequently and thoroughly.
• Wear a high-quality mask when feeling ill or among others who are ill, or if you have been exposed to COVID-19.
• Get a flu shot as soon as possible, if you have not done so already.
• Get a COVID-19 bivalent booster as soon as you are eligible (at least two months after your last shot or three months after being ill with COVID-19), if you have not done so already.

When it is time for you to return to campus after break:

• If you are feeling ill with any symptoms of COVID-19, we strongly request that you take a COVID test before returning to campus.
• If you have tested positive for COVID-19 prior to move-in or a resumption of campus activities, we ask that you remain at home through your isolation period and contact the Student Health Center with your positive test result through MyChart. College staff will work with you to notify your professors if there will be any delay to starting classes.

Thank you for taking these steps to Protect the Hive. Have a safe and enjoyable winter break, and we’ll see you in January!

J. Malcolm Smith
Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost