VPSL Column | November 6, 2020

Happy Friday, students!

As you’ll see in the recap this week, the Lewis & Clark student body is doing well in preventing and containing COVID-19 within our community. That is no small feat, particularly as infection rates beyond Palatine Hill sadly trend upward. Our success is due to your diligence and effort. Please stay vigilant. We cannot let up.

• COVID-19 cases: As of yesterday, we have had only one positive COVID-19 test out of the 2,215 tests we’ve conducted on campus, a positivity percentage of 0.05%.

• Effluent testing results: Results returned on November 3 from wastewater samples pulled on Oct. 30 were negative for all sites tested.

• Modifying on-campus visitation rules: Recognizing how hard our student body has worked to keep the campus safe and healthy, next week, Campus Living will soon be issuing modified rules that will cautiously allow residential students to visit with one another across residence halls. I made the decision to relax these rules after many conversations with students, resident advisors, area directors, senior administrators, and Health Service. These rules are for residential students only. They do not apply to off-campus students or guests.
  
  While opinions on the matter vary, ultimately I believe this is the right course of action for the overall well-being of our residential community. The new rules will go into effect next Monday. Watch your email for more detailed information.

Finally, as we watch the historic political events unfolding all around us, locally and nationally, I urge you to continue your efforts to keep yourself safe and healthy, and to engage with the campus community. This evening and tomorrow is the Theatre Department’s production of Cabaret, a wonderful way to take a break from your studies and support your friends and peers on (and behind) the stage. And next week is the annual Ray Warren Symposium on Race and Ethnic Studies, which I strongly recommend you attend, engage with, and support.

Have a safe, fun weekend. 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