Dear Ithaca College Community,
As a reminder, Ithaca College has enacted several changes to its COVID-19 management strategy for the Spring 2023 semester. Please keep reading to learn more about our current isolation, testing, and reporting protocols currently in use as we get the new semester underway.
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Isolation Protocols
Students who test positive for COVID-19 are expected to complete their mandatory five-day isolation period within their own residence hall room (or off-campus residence for students not utilizing college housing). Students will still be able to contact a wrap around care coordinator by phone to receive support, ask questions, and get connected with various resources, some aspects of wrap around care will be discontinued. This includes, but is not limited to, meal retrieval service, as students observing a mandatory isolation will have the option to pick up to-go meals from campus dining halls.
Moving forward, Boothroyd Hall will serve as a temporary housing space for students only in extenuating circumstances. An example of this would be an immunocompromised individual who is unable to share a living space with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Exceptional circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
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Discontinuation of the COVID Dashboard and Other Reporting Protocols
Ithaca College has suspended use of the COVID Dashboard and will no longer be providing active tracking of positive case numbers within our community this semester.
Ithaca College employees are no longer be required to submit a positive COVID-19 test result using the self-reporting form. Employees who need to observe an absence from work due to testing positive for COVID-19 will be required to utilize their own paid time away balances. The COVID-19 absence selection has been suspended in the Finance and HR Cloud.
COVID-19 Testing Hours
Ithaca College will continue to provide convenient on-campus COVID-19 testing for students, faculty and staff during the upcoming Spring 2023 semester. Testing services will continue to operate out of Boothroyd Hall. Testing hours at Boothroyd Hall are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise specified.
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Stay Updated on Your Vaccinations
I strongly encourage members of our IC community to stay up-to-date on your vaccines. If you have not already done so, I strongly recommend receiving an updated COVID-19 booster and a flu shot to help reduce your chances of experiencing severe illness as a result of these viruses this winter.
For more information on COVID-19 vaccines and eligibility requirements, I encourage you to check out the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Individuals can utilize the vaccines.gov website to locate appointments for both COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots near you. This tool is useful for finding convenient vaccine appointments whether you are remaining in the greater Ithaca area or returning home for the upcoming winter break.
Additionally, I remind our IC students that you are able to schedule a flu shot on campus by contacting the Health Center at (607) 274-3177. Check out this post for more information on flu shots for our campus community.
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Please Practice Good Public Health Behaviors to Help Keep Our Campus Community Healthy
I ask our campus community to continue practicing the good public health behaviors as we get the new semester underway. We have now reached the heart of the winter cold season where the prevalence of communicable illnesses such as COVID-19, flu, and other colds is at its highest. Help us maintain the collective health of our IC community by making the following practices part of your regular routine. These include:
- Frequent hand washing
- Limiting exposure to large unstructured gatherings
- Remain home and do not attend work, class, or social functions if you are feeling unwell
- Utilize a face covering if you are attending a large gathering
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to promoting a healthier campus community.
Sincerely,
Samm Swarts
Assistant Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management