Happy first week of the spring semester IC! As virtual classes get underway, we are back with another weekly dose of COVID-19 updates to keep in mind as we embark on an exciting semester ahead. We are #ICinThisTogether so take moment to check out this week’s installment and play your part in keeping our Bomber Bubble healthy this spring.
Facilities Gives Campus a New Look
Whether you have been already been on campus or are set to make your return to South Hill in the coming weeks, you will notice that campus has a bold new look this spring! The Office of Facilities has worked tirelessly over the past several months to help prepare for our return to on-campus activity and would like to extend a warm welcome back to all students, faculty, and staff.
It truly takes a team effort to keep our campus community happy and healthy this spring and creating an environment designed to best serve public health is a big part of the equation. Many of our familiar campus spaces will have a new look and function a little bit differently this semester. Check out this document, which provides valuable information and visual representations of what you can expect to see when out and about on campus.
Be on the lookout for increased signage, which give us constant reminders of what we must do to protect ourselves and others.
Don’t Cut on Quarantine
As we move forward this semester, and particularly during the final weeks of spring move-in, it is imperative that you strictly adhere to all quarantine measures outlined by the college. Arrival quarantine is one of the most important tools we can utilize to root out any viral invaders, before they have the opportunity to spread in our campus community.
Quarantine means that you have no close contact with others until you are cleared. For students, that means remaining in your bedroom with the only exception for use of restroom facilities.
If you are completing your arrival quarantine in a local hotel, you must remain in the room until you receive notification that your arrival test is clear. Leaving quarantine to interact with family members or picking up food at a local business compromises the arrival quarantine process and allows weak spots in our Bomber Bubble that may allow the virus to slip through.
For students in on- and off-campus apartments, this will require teamwork!
· Remain physically distant from roommates and wear a face covering whenever accessing common areas (living room/kitchen/bathroom) of your apartment or house.
· Limit your exposure to these areas as much as possible until you receive proof of your negative arrival test.
· Get in the habit of disinfecting commonly used areas after each use.
Practicing these measures, especially during the arrival process, will help us limit the impact of positive arrival tests by reducing the number of close contacts. We thank you for being #ICinThisTogether in taking these precautions seriously to protect the health and wellness of our IC community.