The Bark -- VPSL Column | October 30, 2020

Happy Friday, students! And an early Happy Halloween!

This week, as I recap our latest COVID-19 testing results and related efforts, you’ll notice we’ve had a very slight uptick, centered in the off-campus community. Overall, we are still doing well in prevention and mitigation, and that is due to your diligence and effort. Please stay vigilant. Now’s not the time to let up.

Last Sunday, President Wiewel published an op-ed in the Oregonian, along with other local small-college presidents, that discusses our successes with managing COVID-19 so far. In that piece, he praises student efforts to keep our community safe.

• COVID-19 cases: As of yesterday, we have had only one positive COVID-19 tests out of the 2,151 tests we’ve conducted on campus.
  
• Effluent testing results: Results returned on October 27 from wastewater samples pulled on October 23 showed a positive result in the wastewater leaving Platt Hall and Roberts and East Halls. We expect results from followup testing later today.
• Thanksgiving transition planning: Thanksgiving break is fast approaching. If you haven’t yet informed us of your Thanksgiving departure plans, please do so right away. We need your plans via this form by Sunday, November 1.
• Elections: As I wrote last week, as you make your Election Day plans, please be sure to continue your efforts to keep yourself safe and to limit any transmission of COVID among our community. Maintain social distance from anyone who is not in your pod, wear your mask, practice frequent hand hygiene, and only travel off-campus for essential trips. Consider participating in the election-related programming happening virtually next week.
  

Have a safe, fun weekend. The weather is expected to be beautiful, so get outside for some fresh air! Take care of yourselves and in this time of great stress, be kind to one another.

As always, WeB4Me@LC.

Sincerely,

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