Geoff,
Great questions. I think a lot of folks will answer based on institution size. My answer is from the perspective of a small institution that was open for face-to-face instruction this past year. Currently masks should be worn if you are unvaccinated, not feeling well or just more comfortable. I anticipate that we will shift back to masks in academic spaces (classrooms/labs) shortly. We are at normal capacity in the residence halls and seating areas. We are requiring a vaccine if you are living on campus with accommodation exceptions, but our vaccine rate is 81% right now as we have been pushing this hard for the last many months.
The science is telling us that Delta will plateau by the end of August, but it is also telling us that folks need to get vaccinated. So we are prepared to reduce density in places as necessary. The residence halls will be the biggest nightmare.
Final, thought, should campuses consider the cost of not being vaccinated when it comes to quarantine/isolation? Certainly there are some exceptions, but is that something that folks are thinking about?
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Kerry Spicer
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Daemen College
Amherst NY
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-10-2021 22:53
From: Geoff Combs
Subject: COVID, Delta Variant, Case Numbers and Guidance Changes
Dear Colleagues,
Hello from UMass Boston. I am betting that many of us have been on the same ride over the last month. The numbers in late June and early July hinted that fall 2021 on many campuses would be close to normal (there's that dirty word). The numbers have changed significantly over the last 30 days. The fall term is just around the corner. Time to pivot again. Ugh. A very distressed ugh.
How has new data impacted your institution and your operation? Mask mandate returning? Confirmation of vaccine status? Social distancing returning? Events shifting to outside? Conference/event cancellations?
What are the outcomes on your campus, what changes are you planning and/or what do you anticipate?
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Geoff Combs
Executive Director, Campus Center & Event Services
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston MA
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