• REMINDER: All students must complete a COVID-19 test and submit results to caremanager@ithaca.edu within 72 hours prior to returning to South Hill for classes on Monday, March 21.
• Students remaining in Ithaca area can utilize on-campus testing at Emerson Residence Hall on Friday, March 18.
• Expanded surveillance testing will be offered weeks of March 21 – March 25 and March 28 – April 1.
Dear Ithaca College Community,
I share this message with you today to provide some important public health reminders as you prepare for your return to campus from Spring Break over the coming days. Your diligence and commitment to the following measures will help ensure a smooth return-to-campus process and will be vital in helping us maintain a healthy campus during the second half of the spring semester.
Testing Requirement
As I communicated prior to the break, all Ithaca College students regardless if they have traveled for Spring Break or have remained in the Ithaca area are required to complete a COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their return to campus for classes on Monday, March 21. The only exceptions to this requirement are students who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 90 days. Students should email proof of their negative test result to caremanager@ithaca.edu before returning to campus.
The required test can be either a PCR lab test or a rapid antigen test performed at a pharmacy, licensed testing center, or an antigen COVID-19 at-home self-testing kit. Any student already in the local Ithaca area who has not already tested may complete their testing on campus at the Emerson Residence Hall testing location on Friday, March 18, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Any individual who tests positive or who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 during the Spring Break week should delay their return to campus until they have completed their mandatory isolation period or have had their symptoms resolved. Please contact caremanager@ithaca.edu to receive further guidance on how to proceed if you have tested positive or are experiencing active symptoms.
Any individual who tests positive or who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 during the Spring Break week should delay their return to campus until they have completed their mandatory isolation period or
Expanded Surveillance Testing
Following Spring Break, Ithaca College will be offering expanded surveillance testing during the weeks of Monday, March 21 – Friday, March 25, as well as Monday, March 28 – Friday, April 1. Individuals will be contacted via an email to their IC email account if they have been randomly selected to participate in surveillance testing during these weeks. Individuals who are randomly selected for surveillance testing can submit a saliva test sample at the blue-bin pick-up/drop-off locations on campus. These locations include:
- Emerson Residence Hall
- Peggy Ryan Williams Center
- Farm Pond Road (Select Employees Only)
Please note that surveillance testing should only be utilized by individuals who are not actively experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Students actively experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should continue utilizing the Emerson Hall on-campus testing site, which has daily hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Responsible Behaviors and Good Public Health Practices
Our actions during the final days of Spring Break and the remaining weeks of the semester will be the biggest determinants of how our experience will unfold. Although we have been able to gradually relax our COVID-19- related public health policies over the weeks leading into Spring Break, we must continue to remain vigilant and committed to the practices we know help minimize risk of becoming ill. Please continue to make good health practices a constant part of your normal routine:
- Limit your exposure to large, unstructured gatherings where public health protocols are not being adhered to.
- Continue to wear a tightly -fitted face covering over the nose and mouth in all areas and situations that still require them, as well as situations or settings where adequate physical distancing cannot be maintained, particularly in large crowds.
- Sanitize hands frequently.
- Monitor your personal health for symptoms of illness. If you are feeling ill, quarantine yourself from others until you can be tested and have received results.
- Remain mindful of local conditions and exercise caution, especially in areas that are deemed “higher risk” of transmission by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Thank you for your continued diligence and commitment to public health during the second half of the semester. I look forward to seeing our student body back on campus during the coming days.
Sincerely,
Samm Swarts
Assistant Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response