Week 3 Update, Vice President for Student Life

Happy Monday, Students!

Welcome to Week 3 of spring semester. I hope you have had a chance to enjoy the wonderful weather we experienced over the weekend. I was grateful for some down time after the excitement of the announcement last week that I will become Lewis & Clark’s 26th president this July. I am thrilled about that opportunity, glad the news is public, and happy to continue my work as your VPSL and dean until President Wiewel retires at the end of this academic year.

We continue to be on track to welcome you back on campus for in person classes beginning February 7. Thank you for your adherence to our policies and expectations; it truly makes a difference and keeps our campus safe.

We are completing our entry testing this week. You cannot return to in-person instruction until you received an all clear from entry testing.

Testing is scheduled for CAS students who have not already entry tested this Thursday, February 3, from 7:30 am to 3 pm in the Agnes Flanagan Chapel. This clinic is for asymptomatic students only. Students with any symptoms of COVID, or who are currently in isolation or quarantine, should NOT attend this clinic. They should instead self-isolate, complete the SCARF form in the Health Information Portal, and schedule a telehealth consult with Health Service staff through the Portal.

To reduce crowding at this Thursday’s testing clinic, advance sign-ups are required. Sign up here.

Here is the latest regarding positive COVID cases:

• COVID-19 cases: We have tested a total of 1,528 individuals so far this year. Of the 1,528 tested, we have had a total of 55 total positive cases for an overall positivity rate of 3.60%.

As you know, the Omicron variant is highly transmissible. Although we are hopeful we are approaching our peak here in Oregon, we are still experiencing a much higher rate of community transmission than we have in the past. Even more challenging, many individuals who are infectious are unaware that they are infected because they are asymptomatic. That is why our entry-testing and requirement that individuals wear a higher grade mask while on-campus are essential.

At-home testing is also going to be an important part of our strategy this semester. Please be sure that you have a supply of at-home antigen tests at your disposal. We recently sent you a communication about how you can order your 4 free tests from the government—please do so! And remember, if you are symptomatic, you should isolate, report your symptoms through the SCARF and seek testing from our Health Service.

All the best,
Robin H. Holmes-Sullivan
Vice President and Dean of Students