Information for the Beginning of Spring Semester

Dear Students,

We are less than two weeks away from the end of the winter break and the beginning of Spring semester. As the opening of school draws closer, there are a few tasks that you must complete.

Our approach to continuing to keep the community safe is to prevent the transmission of the virus on the campus in the first place. With that in mind, we will provide testing on re-entry for undergraduate, graduate and law students, as well as all employees who will be on campus near the start of the semester. This re-entry testing will provide us with baseline information regarding our community positivity rate and will guide our decision making and plans as we create the safest LC community possible.

The LC community has done a wonderful job of following expectations and limiting the transmission of the virus. Unfortunately, a small number of students did not make as good of decisions regarding our COVID protocols. Their actions led to members of the community becoming infected and requiring isolation/quarantine; stressed resources; and brought unnecessary anxiety at the end of what was a very successful semester. As a result, those individuals who made decisions to leave campus and break the bubble or to host larger gatherings in violation of our social distancing protocols were found in violation of our policies and as a result will not be allowed to study in person with us this semester. Although I sincerely believe that the vast majority of our student body did and will make the best decisions this semester, be assured we will take decisive action if we find out individuals or groups are in violation of our COVID-mitigation policies and practices. Do the right thing to protect yourselves and our community.

Prior to coming to campus in January
You should already be observing the required two-week period of self isolation prior to your arrival. For example, if you are scheduled to arrive on campus on January 16, you should have begun your two-week self isolation no later than January 2 in order to complete the entire 2-week self isolation. Completing this self-isolation period is mandatory for all undergraduate students taking classes in-person, whether you plan to live on or off campus. Please follow this link to gain more information about self-isolation expectations.

Beginning January 11 you will need to attest with your signature that you have completed the mandatory two-week self-isolation. The link to this form will be live on this date and students are encouraged to submit this form 3 days prior to your arrival on campus but no later than January 17th. Students who will be unable to meet the College’s expectations for the two-week self-isolation should contact Ami Hanna, Case Manager and Contact Tracer, as soon as possible at hannae@lclark.edu to discuss your options if you require an exception.

Remember, if you travel by airplane, bus, or train to get to campus, please follow these recommended CDC guidelines for travel to reduce the risk of exposure. Such travel will not invalidate your 14-day pre-arrival self-isolation. Note that students arriving to campus after international air travel are subject to additional expectations.

If, during your two-week self-isolation, you must leave your residence to go to a medical provider or pharmacy, we encourage you to check about getting a flu shot while you are there (if you have not been vaccinated already). Less flu on campus this spring will make all our lives healthier and easier.

Baseline testing of all undergraduates
Upon arrival to campus, you will need to engage in enhanced social distancing until you have received COVID testing and your negative results have been confirmed. (Please take a minute now to learn what enhanced social distancing means for this spring.) For that reason, all students will participate in classes virtually during the first week of classes. All undergraduates (living both on-campus and off-campus) will sign up for a timeslot to receive a COVID-19 test. Testing dates will be January 20, 21 and 22. Students who have tested positive for COVID in the last 90 days and who have cleared their isolation period will be exempt from the testing requirement. Details related to testing sign-ups will be e-mailed to students closer to the testing dates. As long as you are tested on the above dates, there will be no charge to you. Otherwise you will be required to pay the College’s cost for testing, which is currently $100.

Come to campus prepared and aware of what is expected of you. Please visit the Ongoing COVID-19 Response site and follow this link for a list of important items you should bring with you.

New to campus or coming to campus for the first time this year

You must complete our COVID educational module prior to your arrival on campus. More information regarding this expectation and others can be found in the New Student Orientation checklist.

If you are at increased risk and so need to take extra precautions due to COVID-19, please consider contacting our Health Service staff (503-768-7160) about your health needs, and our Student Support Services staff (access@lclark.edu) to discuss your academic needs.

Schedule for arriving to campus

All campus residents will be assigned a date and time for spring move-in. Campus Living will contact students directly next week with information about move-in times, check-in procedures, and information about collecting items from the bookstore and mail room. Please look out for Campus Living’s email and take note of the following move-in dates:

• Move-in for Students New to Residence Halls this Academic Year: January 15
• Returning Students: January 16 and 17

Academic plans

And please watch for an email next week asking you to confirm or correct our record of your spring plans (e.g., fully remote, in-person, etc). Accurate information is essential for testing protocols, contact tracing, and classroom planning, so when you receive the email, please take a moment to respond.

Doing Your Part
The best way to stop the transmission of COVID-19 is through prevention. WeB4Me@LC! Follow this link to read the expectations regarding residential living, new guidance about creating your pod, and maintaining our on-campus “bubble.”

Sincerely,

Robin H. Holmes-Sullivan
Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students