K Lifts COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

Dear Kalamazoo College Community,

In late January, the White House announced that the COVID-19 public health emergency and national emergency will end May 11, 2023. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has noted that since the peak of the Omicron surge in January 2022, COVID-19 deaths have declined by over 80% and new hospitalizations are down nearly 80%. Daily reported cases are down 92%. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 81% of the entire United States population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Based on the latest COVID-19 data and trends and considering the availability of COVID-19 treatment options, the College will no longer require the COVID-19 vaccination for students, faculty and staff effective the start of spring term (March 27, 2023). All other COVID-19 health protocols remain in effect. We will continue to recommend masking when ill and as required by COVID-19 protocols, and we will continue to support community members who mask for any reason. Masks may still be required by faculty members or staff inside classroom spaces, in individual offices or for gatherings.

This was not a decision taken lightly. Like the CDC and many health experts around the world, the College strongly recommends all members of the K community stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.

We believe that our high rate of vaccination, along with our commitment to following established health protocols, allowed us to return safely to campus in the early stages of the pandemic and continues to offer protection from serious illness and spread. We also recognize that as the pandemic transitions from a public health crisis to a matter of personal health and responsibility, our policies will naturally transition as well. We will continue to make every effort to keep vaccination options available and accessible at a reduced cost to our community, and to encourage vaccination as a responsible health choice—for oneself, as well as to protect those with whom you live, study and work. 

We are deeply grateful to all members of our campus community who have done—and continue to do—their part to Protect the Hive.


Sincerely,


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

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost

Winter Break Health Reminders

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

COVID-19 Protocols for Summer/Fall

Dear Campus Community:

Before we say goodbye to students for the summer, we wanted to take a moment to outline the expectations for COVID-19 safety protocols starting this summer and continuing into the next academic year:

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS 

Students

As previously communicated, all students are required to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations prior to arriving on campus next fall.

  • The CDC considers you up to date when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible. Current students will likely remain up to date through the start of fall term, unless recommendations change over the summer.
  • To be up to date, you must be 2 weeks post your primary COVID vaccine series and have had your booster if you are eligible. You must get your booster when eligible to remain on campus. This date will vary based on your personal situation, so please plan ahead!
  • Students will not be permitted to move into campus residences, participate in athletics, attend classes or engage in any in-person activities if they are not up to date with all of the College-required vaccinations.
  • To update your COVID-19 or any other vaccination record, you may report it to the Student Health Center via My Chart or by email at healthsv@kzoo.edu.
  • Vaccine exemptions will be extremely rare and will not be granted for personal preference. This is true for all vaccines required by the College, not just the COVID-19 vaccine. Students seeking an exemption should review the campus immunization policy and contact the Student Health Center (SHC) to request a form.

Faculty and Staff

  • Faculty and staff are required to be fully up to date on their vaccinations.

Visitors

  • Vaccinations will not be required for on-campus visitors beginning June 7 through the fall, unless conditions change. We will re-evaluate this policy in August.

ISOLATION HOUSING

  • The College will be discontinuing COVID-19 isolation housing for residential students in the fall. Students should plan to return home to isolate if possible or isolate in their residence halls.
  • We will continue to offer the “Sick Meal Request” form so that students may designate friends to pick up meals for them from the dining hall when ill (this applies to any illness).

COVID-19 TESTING

  • COVID-19 testing, as with other services, will not be available at the SHC over the summer. Students in the area over the summer may refer to the SHC website for other testing locations.
  • As in the past, we recommend students test for COVID-19 with a rapid or PCR test prior to coming to campus in the fall. We do not anticipate offering mass testing at the start of the term unless conditions call for it.
  • 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 SHC 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
  • The SHC will continue to offer COVID-19 testing next year for students who are symptomatic or have been exposed.

MASKING REQUIREMENTS

  • K anticipates that our mask-optional policy will continue.
  • Faculty/staff will still have the option to require masking inside classroom spaces, in individual offices or for gatherings, and anyone who wishes to mask when not required should feel comfortable doing so.
  • Mask-wearing will be expected whenever you are experiencing symptoms of any illness, have a positive COVID-19 test, are awaiting test results or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
  • Please plan to bring a supply of well-fitting masks in the fall to use as needed. 

COVID-19 DASHBOARD UPDATES

  • Tuesday, June 7, will be the last update to the COVID-19 Dashboard for the summer months. We will resume updating the dashboard in September.

Thank you to everyone for the outstanding job Protecting the Hive this year. It has taken a dedicated effort by the entire campus community to ensure a healthy in-person academic year, and we are extremely grateful for your flexibility and commitment to our protocols. We are optimistic that conditions will continue to improve, and as always, if they fluctuate, we will be ready to adapt as necessary. Please monitor your K email over the summer in the event that conditions or requirements change.

Stay healthy and stay safe, Hornets!

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

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost

COVID-19 Protocols for Commencement Weekend

Please note that all Commencement health protocols remain subject to change based on COVID-19 conditions. 

MASKING: Following the campus mask-optional policy, Commencement activities will generally be mask-optional throughout the weekend, including the Commencement ceremony and Baccalaureate. The College will support all students, faculty, staff and visitors who choose to wear masks, and some of the smaller events may require them. Please be prepared to mask if required. 

VACCINATIONS: Given the high rate of vaccination for our students, faculty and staff and the low community level in Kalamazoo, we will not be requiring vaccinations to attend Commencement activities throughout the weekend. 

TESTING: While not required, we strongly encourage those who are unvaccinated and/or unboosted to test prior to coming to campus. All participants and attendees should test if they experience COVID-19 symptoms prior to Commencement and to refrain from attending if they are ill. Please help us continue to Protect the Hive and all our Hornet families and friends.

Mask-Optional Policy Effective April 6

Dear Campus Community,

After review of the most recent COVID data, Kalamazoo College’s mask-optional policy will take effect today, Wednesday, April 6. 

As a reminder, mask-optional means:

  • Masks will not be required as a general rule inside College buildings. They may still be required by faculty members or staff inside classroom spaces or in individual offices, or for gatherings. 
    • In classes where masks are not required by the faculty member, students and faculty may still choose to wear a mask if they wish. 
    • In classes where masks are required by the faculty member, all students must continue to wear a mask.
    • If you would like to post a sign in your area (office, cubicle, room, etc.) requesting that masks be worn, a printable sign is available online.
  • Masks may be required by athletics staff as needed in shared spaces (such as team busses or athletic training room spaces).
  • Mask-wearing is expected whenever you are experiencing symptoms of any illness, have a positive COVID-19 test, are awaiting test results or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. 
  • Members of the community should feel comfortable continuing to wear masks anywhere and anytime, if they prefer to do so. 

We suggest that you always carry a mask with you on campus so that you can wear one if you want or need to. If you forget your mask, there will be some stationed in every building. 

We support those individuals who continue to mask up due to health conditions or other personal reasons and ask that you respond to masking requests with consideration and respect. 

Thank you for Protecting the Hive,

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

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost

Timeline To Go “Mask-Optional”

Dear Campus Community:

With the latest CDC guidance on masks released at the end of February, we wanted to provide further update on K’s indoor masking requirement.

As previously announced, the College will continue to mask through the end of Winter term and through at least Week 1 of Spring term. Provided that we do not see a serious spike in COVID-19 cases following spring break, we anticipate changing our broad policy to “mask optional” during the second week of Spring term. Watch for communication on the effective date after the start of the term.

What does mask-optional mean? 

  • Masks will not be required as a general rule inside College buildings. They may still be required by faculty members or staff inside classroom spaces or in individual offices, or for gatherings.
    • In classes where masks are not required by the faculty member, students and faculty may still choose to wear a mask if they wish.
    • In classes where masks are required by the faculty member, all students must continue to wear a mask.
  • Masks may be required by athletics staff as needed in shared spaces (such as team busses or athletic training room spaces).
  • Mask-wearing is expected whenever you are experiencing symptoms of any illness, have a positive COVID-19 test, are awaiting test results or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. 
  • Members of the community should feel comfortable continuing to wear masks anywhere and anytime, if they prefer to do so. Even after we move to a mask optional policy, our expectation is that all the members of our community will accept and respect those individuals who choose to continue wearing masks.
  • Masks will be made available in campus buildings for those who need them.

Additionally, effective Week 2, the College will no longer require vaccinations for visitors who are attending outdoor-only events, such as outdoor sporting events. Up-to-date vaccinations will still be required for visitors who will be inside campus buildings for more than 15 minutes. Admission events and tours will also resume stops at the model residence hall room and Welles Dining Hall for lunch. (Admission guests are required to be vaccinated.)

Kalamazoo County is now at a “Medium” COVID-19 Community Level based on hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. We will continue to monitor local transmission and hospitalization rates in Kalamazoo County and will adjust should the data warrant a modification to our policy.

Thank you for your commitment, feedback and respect toward one another as we continue to navigate the challenges of the pandemic.

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

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost

K Adjusts Q/I Guidelines to CDC Recommendations

Dear Campus Community:

The College has been transitioning its quarantine and isolation (QI) guidelines to align with the latest CDC QI recommendations issued on January 9, 2022.

We will be updating the health protocols on the COVID-19 website; in the meantime, here are four key items that have changed for both students and employees, effective immediately:

  1. Who is Considered Up to date on Vaccinations: The CDC now considers your vaccinations up to date” when you’ve completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination AND a booster (when eligible). If you have completed the primary vaccination series and are not yet eligible for a booster, you are also considered “up to date” until your booster is due. 
    • You are eligible for a booster 5 months after the last dose in your primary series for Moderna or Pfizer, or 2 months after your first J&J dose. A person is considered boosted and up to date right after getting their booster dose.
  2. Who Has to Quarantine When Exposed:
    • If you are not up to date on your vaccinations and have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, there is now a 5-day quarantine period. Stay home and do not go to class/activities/work for at least 5 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. Wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home/in your residence hall. Students may grab to-go food and visit the Student Health Center.
    • If you are fully up to date, you do NOT need to quarantine unless you develop symptoms.
    • In either situation, you should mask around others for 10 days, monitor symptoms and test at least 5 days after exposure.
  3. How Long to Isolate When Positive: If you test positive for COVID-19, you are required to isolate (stay home and separate from other household members, or transfer to Isolation Housing) for at least 5 days; this is a change from the 10 days that were previously required. (Students who are isolating when this change goes into effect will receive notification from a QI coordinator letting them know what, if any, adjustment will be made to their isolation period.)
  4. Who Performs Contact Tracing: Due to the volume of positive COVID cases, the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services department and the Student Health Center are no longer able to do thorough contact tracing. You will need to let anyone that you have been in close contact* with, starting 2 days prior to your positive test or your symptom onset, know that they need to review the current CDC recommendations for exposure to a COVID positive case.

*The CDC defines a close contact as someone who was less than 6 feet away from a confirmed infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, within 2 days prior to illness onset or positive test, even if both parties were masked.

When students take a COVID-19 test through the Student Health Center (SHC), the SHC will provide instructions on next steps for quarantine or isolation when they send you your results. Please read them carefully. If you test positive, whether you live on or off campus, a QI coordinator will also contact you.

With the change to the quarantine period, it’s strongly recommended that you get your booster as soon as possible after becoming eligible. There are additional spots remaining for the January 20 booster clinic if you have not signed up already.

Thank you for Protecting the Hive,

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

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost

Week 2 COVID-19 Updates and Reminders

On Tuesday, Michigan public health officials presented the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, noting that the state’s strategies are focused on preventing severe outcomes and death, protecting health care capacity and keeping vital infrastructure, such as schools, functioning amid the latest surge.

Michigan’s chief medical executive (and Kalamazoo College alumna) Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian noted that vaccines, masks, distancing, ventilation, tests and antibody treatment are the tools that will be utilized going forward. Kalamazoo College’s approach is and has been closely aligned with the strategies recommended by public health experts. As COVID-19 evolves and eventually becomes endemic (consistently present, like influenza), we will continue to rely on science and advice from experts to guide us.

Our nearly 100% vaccination rate on campus, our strict masking requirements and our testing availability on campus factor into our decision to remain in-person at this time. While our cases have increased, they have been very mild or asymptomatic, following the national trend with populations that are vaccinated and boosted. Universities and colleges that started their terms online are also seeing increased transmission trends; this is likely because transmission most commonly happens outside of classrooms in places where masking and vaccination are less strictly enforced or entirely absent.

That is why it is absolutely CRITICAL for each of us to take the same precautions outside of class that we take inside the classroom during this surge. That is why it is also important for the College to strictly enforce our health protocols, and we rely on one another to kindly remind and insist upon following them. If you are reminded by faculty, staff, RA’s, campus safety, or your peers to follow our protocols, please be respectful and remember that following the guidelines is everyone’s responsibility. We are all experiencing COVID fatigue, however, it is never appropriate to respond with rude or hostile behavior.

As we approach week three of the term, we want to provide updates on some key items related to our health protocols:

COVID-19 Testing for January 17

  • There will not be COVID-19 testing on Monday, January 17, in the Student Health Center as the campus is closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Refer to the SHC website for options for testing and care.

Dining Options

  • We wanted to remind students that there are to-go containers at stations throughout Welles Dining Hall. Please take advantage of this grab-and-go option if you would prefer take out to in-person dining in Welles. 
  • Some students have asked why we have not switched to fully grab-and-go dining. We recognize that the dining hall is an area of campus where there is an increased risk of transmission; however, previous experience with grab-and-go has shown us that closing the dining hall simply creates situations where students find other common areas to congregate and dine (Hicks atrium, residence hall lounges, etc.). This does not reduce the transmission risk, and it also creates problems with our waste stream as meal containers are disposed of across campus. Therefore, we feel the most practical option is to leave the dining hall open while also providing to-go options to meet a variety of student needs.

Quarantine and Isolation (QI) Housing

  • We have recently expanded the number of beds available for isolation by incorporating additional college-owned housing. Unfortunately, in the process of quickly preparing this housing, we missed some areas in cleaning one of the units; the student placed there was transferred to another location while we resolved the issue. The house was inspected by the health department based on student concerns and no issues were identified and no citations were given. We apologize for the added stress that this created during an already stressful time.

COVID-19 Dashboard

  • The COVID-19 dashboard is being updated on a daily basis. This dashboard includes the results of the COVID-19 diagnostic tests administered on campus, as well as self-reported student and employee data.
  • As a reminder, students who test independently through home tests or other testing sites should contact the Student Health Center through MyChart or by email at healthsv@kzoo.edu as soon as possible to report a positive test. The SHC will notify faculty regarding your positive test and the dates of your isolation period, as they do for students who test positive through the SHC.

COVID-19 Booster Reminder

  • There will be a second booster clinic on campus on Thursday, January 20, 2022, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in Hicks Banquet Room West. Appointments are required and limited to first come, first served. Visit https://hr.kzoo.edu/c19booster/ to learn more and to make an appointment.
  • Students who receive a booster off-campus should send a copy of their updated vaccine card to healthsv@kzoo.edu to update their record. Records must be updated by March 1 (or upon eligibility if CDC eligibility date is later).
  • Students who receive a booster on campus need to take no further action.
  • CAN I GET A BOOSTER IF I AM SICK OR EXPOSED? If you are COVID-19 positive you should wait until your isolation period ends before seeking a booster. If you have been exposed and are experiencing any symptoms, you should also wait to schedule a booster until a confirmed negative test. If someone has been exposed but is symptom-free or has had a negative test, they are welcome to proceed with a booster.

Thank you for Protecting the Hive,

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

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost

Additional COVID-19 Mitigation Measures

Dear Campus Community,

Consistent with national and global trends, we are seeing increased COVID-19 transmission within the local area and our campus. The latest data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shows a COVID-19 positivity rate in Kalamazoo County of 28.7%. Fortunately, cases seen at the Student Health Center have been largely asymptomatic or have presented with mild symptoms. However, because of the high level of transmission in our area and throughout the state, the College is putting in place some additional mitigation measures, effective immediately.

  • Masking Inside and Out
    • Masking is now required in all public areas of campus, including outdoors. This follows CDC recommendations that encourage outdoor masking in areas of high transmission.
    • Residence halls: Students are required to mask in residence halls anytime they are indoors, including their own rooms if they are sharing the space with individuals who are not roommates. Unmasking is permitted in a student’s own room in the presence of roommates if all roommates are comfortable with that arrangement. This guidance is not new; however, it will be strictly enforced and noncompliance could result in consequences up to and including suspension from residence halls.
    • Again, please wear the mask properly over nose and mouth and do not pull it down to talk/sneeze/cough. Wear a snug-fitting mask with two or more layers.
    • The College is working to secure extra N95/KN95 masks for distribution to individuals who may be seeking a higher-filtration mask.
  • Temporary restrictions on visitors
    • Residence Halls: Students are not permitted to invite visitors from outside campus to visit and stay in residence halls. Parents and other visitors may drop off items to students.
    • Any upcoming visits to campus should be reviewed for need (can a planned visit be accomplished virtually?). For visitors who will be spending time on campus (example: job candidates, guest lecturers), vaccination including boosters (if eligible) will be required. Any exceptions must be approved by President’s Staff.
  • Eating and Drinking
    • Eating and drinking poses a higher risk for COVID transmission. For this reason, eating and drinking may be restricted in areas of buildings where it is normally allowed. Please watch for signage.
    • If you are hosting in-person meetings, please eliminate food/drink or make these items grab-and-go.
    • At this time, Dining will be operating normally and is providing grab-and-go items; if transmission continues to increase on campus we are prepared to switch to fully grab-and-go options.

Per yesterday’s Hornet Hive, we encourage you to sign up for our on-site booster clinics if you are eligible (the latest eligibility timeframes are five months if your initial regimen was Pfizer, six months if your regimen was Moderna, and two months if your initial shot was J&J). Walk-in booster clinics are also available off-campus Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the Kalamazoo County Health Department.

We have been living with COVID-19 for many months now, and we have many tools to reduce transmission and severity of illness. This has allowed not just our campus, but our larger community, to move from a “zero transmission” strategy to a “managing transmission” strategy.

For this to be effective, however, every member of the community has to be committed to health protocols and encourage one another to follow them—politely reminding each other of proper mask use and ensuring we are gathering safely, for example. Let’s do our best to care for one another as we manage through this latest COVID challenge.

Thank you,

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

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost

COVID-19 Update

Students:

Welcome back to campus! We hope you had a great winter break and a happy new year.

We are beginning the winter term amidst the latest surge of COVID-19, so we wanted to touch base with you about important health and safety protocols that are essential to maintaining in-person living and learning.

Because the omicron variant is much more transmissible, the combination of getting your booster, wearing masks indoors in public spaces and avoiding large unmasked gatherings is even more critical to mitigating the spread. Please note:

  • Get a boost. COVID-19 booster clinics will be offered to students, faculty and staff on campus on January 14 (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) and January 20 (10 a.m.­­–2 p.m.) in Hicks Banquet Room. You can register for an appointment at https://hr.kzoo.edu/c19booster/.
    • Boosters are required and your booster record must be submitted to the Student Health Center (SHC) by March 1, 2022, or upon earliest CDC eligibility. Students who are not in compliance with the policy may not be permitted to return to campus for spring term. 
    • If you receive a booster on campus, we have your record and no further action will need to be taken.
    • If you have already received a booster off campus, you may send a copy of your updated vaccine card to healthsv@kzoo.edu.
  • Mask up. Masks—worn properly over the nose and mouth—will be required in all indoor spaces unless eating or drinking (and eating and drinking may be restricted in some public areas). Medical-grade face masks, such as N95 or KN95 masks, are most effective against transmission.
  • Stay home if you’re sick. Keeping away from others when symptomatic is essential to preventing the spread of COVID-19, as well as the flu and other viruses.
  • Test if you’re sick with COVID symptoms or have been a close contact. COVID-19 testing will continue to be available to students through the SHC.
    • If you test positive, the College will continue to follow the 10-day isolation period recommended by the CDC for higher education and congregate living. If we receive updated guidance in the days or weeks ahead, we will communicate that to campus.
    • If you have been exposed to COVID-19: Fully vaccinated close contacts should get tested within 5-7 days after exposure and wear a mask indoors around others for 14 days after exposure while monitoring symptoms.
  • Be cautious of crowds. Avoid indoor off-campus social gatherings where people are likely to be unmasked or unvaccinated.

Last fall, your vigilance with following health and safety guidelines meant that we were able to return to a more typical Kalamazoo College experience. We ask for your continued care as we enter this next challenging period.

Thank you for protecting the hive.

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

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost