Coronavirus Updates 2021–22

May 7

Last week, as part of continued COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester, the Testing Center staff processed 1,119 PCR tests, of which 24 came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of 2.14 percent. As we close out the semester and have eased on protocols, it remains important to stay mindful that COVID risks are still with us, so please use your best judgment in this final’s week and as we finish out the academic year.

Complimentary Testing for Family Members of Faculty/Staff Through Today May 7

Because of an uptick in case counts again this week, the Testing Center is offering complimentary PCR testing to any family members of staff or faculty. Family members who have not been tested on campus before will need to complete a brief registration form on site at the time of the PCR test.

Surveillance Testing for Everyone Will Conclude on May 7

Mandatory student, faculty and staff COVID-19 testing will conclude on Saturday, May 7. The Testing Center will offer an additional week of testing for anyone traveling home or desiring to do a final PCR test on campus between May 10–May 13. Please continue to report symptoms using your wellness check and reach out to the Covid-19 Team with any questions or concerns as you finish out the academic year.

Testing Center Hours for the Remainder of the Semester

Our testing partner, Broad, informed us of a lab closure on Monday, May 9, which adjusts our testing hours for next week. Tomorrow (Sat. May 7), the Testing Center in the Lewis lobby will be open from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Remember, if you are symptomatic the Health Center can also assist you with rapid testing while the Broad Lab is closed Monday.

After May 13, the Testing Center will close.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

April 27, 2022 Update

April 27

Dear Gordon community,

Last week, as part of continued COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester, the Testing Center staff processed 801 PCR tests, of which 13 came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of 1.62 percent.

Complimentary Testing for Family Members of Faculty/Staff through May 13

Because of a slight uptick in case counts this week, the Testing Center is offering complimentary PCR testing to any family members of staff or faculty. Family members who have not been tested on campus before will need to complete a brief registration form on site at the time of the PCR test.

Surveillance Testing for Everyone Will Conclude on May 7

Testing Center Hours for the Remainder of the Semester

From April 25–May 7, the Testing Center in the Lewis lobby will be open:
Monday–Thursday from 11:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Friday from 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
From May 9–May 13, the Testing Center will be open:
Monday–Friday from 1 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

Be sure to bookmark the COVID-19 dashboard for easy access to weekly COVID-19 stats. As always, if you have specific questions about Gordon’s COVID-19 response, you can visit our safety protocols webpage, FAQ webpage or contact [email protected].

The COVID-19 Taskforce

April 22, 2022 Update

April 22

Gordon community,

This email contains an update about our campus mask-wearing policy. As you have likely seen from our weekly COVID-19 updates this semester, Gordon’s campus has retained a positivity rate under 1% since spring break. With case counts continuing to remain low and variants continuing to prove mild, we will be relaxing the remaining mask protocols. Specifically, this means:

As previously announced, in Chapel, masks are recommended but no longer required
Beginning on Monday April 25, the college will no longer require masks in academic spaces, but will support faculty in deciding the best approach for masking during their instructional time with students. Students are expected to follow the mask requirements set by faculty members.

In addition, regular surveillance testing will conclude on May 7; however, tests will still be available during finals week for anyone who would like one. Additional details are forthcoming.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

April 19, 2022 Update

April 19

Gordon community,

This email contains an update about our campus mask-wearing policy. Last week, as part of continued COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester, the Testing Center staff processed 856 PCR tests, of which eight came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of .93 percent. Thank you for doing your part in keeping our COVID-19 numbers incredibly low. As you have likely seen from our weekly COVID-19 updates this semester, Gordon’s campus has retained a positivity rate under 1% since spring break. With case counts continuing to remain low and variants continuing to prove mild, we will be relaxing the remaining mask protocols in Chapel effective tomorrow, April 20. Specifically, this means:

In Chapel, masks are recommended but no longer required.

In addition, regular surveillance testing will conclude on May 7; however, tests will still be available during finals week for anyone who would like one. Additional details are forthcoming.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

April 14, 2022 Update

April 14

Dear Gordon community,

Last week, as part of continued COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester, the Testing Center staff processed 885 PCR tests, of which four came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of .45 percent.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

April 7, 2022 Update

April 7

Dear Gordon community,

Last week, as part of continued COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester, the Testing Center staff processed 862 PCR tests, of which five came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of .58 percent.

On-campus Testing Center Closed on Easter Weekend

In observance of Easter, the Testing Center will be closed on Good Friday (4/15) and Saturday (4/16).

The COVID-19 Taskforce

March 31, 2022 Update

March 31

Dear Gordon community,

Last week, as part of continued COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester, the Testing Center staff processed 900 PCR tests, of which six came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of .67 percent.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

March 23, 2022 Update

March 23

Dear Gordon community,

Last week, as part of continued COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester, the Testing Center staff processed 970 PCR tests, of which five came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of .52 percent. It’s been an enormous encouragement to see how long our COVID-19 numbers have been low. This downward trend in COVID-19 cases on our campus and across the United States adds scientific data for the President’s Cabinet to consider further easing restrictions, which you’ll be hearing about in the coming week.

Here are some reminders for this week:

Asymptomatic Surveillance Testing Will Continue Through the Rest of the Semester

For the remainder of the spring semester, we are going to continue our weekly surveillance testing routine. This effort provides useful data that continues to inform campus-wide decisions related to safety measures, so keep up the good work and remember to get tested each week.

All Members of the Gordon Community Still Need to Report Symptoms

Even though cold and flu season is coming to an end, if you’re not feeling well please continue to report any symptoms of illness through the Wellness Check and schedule a time to get tested for COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

March 2, 2022 Update

March 2

Read this week’s COVID-19 update

Dear Gordon community,

Last week, our campus completed the fifth week of COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester. The staff at our on-campus Testing Center processed 962 PCR tests, of which five came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of .52 percent.

Here are some reminders for this week:

Please Wear Your Masks Inside the On-campus Testing Center

Masks are still required to be worn inside the on-campus Testing Center in Lewis Hall.

Spring Break Hours for the Testing Center (March 5– March 13)

During spring break, the on-campus Testing Center will be operating on a reduced schedule.

Monday–Thursday
3/7–3/10
1 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

Friday
3/11
2 p.m. –4:30 p.m.

Saturday
3/12
11 a.m.–1 p.m.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

P.S. U.S. households are eligible to receive four free at-home COVID-19 tests. To order yours today, visit www.covidtests.gov

February 24, 2022 Update

February 24

This email has important updates on campus COVID safety protocols as well as instructions for spring break, so please read closely. First, we are pleased to share encouraging news on two fronts: the campus positivity rate from weekly testing continues to trend very favorably (see the dashboard), and the town of Wenham announced it will end the town’s mask mandate for indoor public buildings effective this Friday, February 25 at 12:01 a.m. Accordingly, starting tomorrow (Friday 2/25/22), masks will not be required on campus except in classrooms/labs during academic instruction and during singing in Chapel.

Specific adjustments to our current protocols:

As of Friday, masks are no longer required inside campus buildings where an indoor mask mandate has been in effect (such as Lane, Bennett Center, Ken Olsen loggia and common areas, Frost and other non-residential spaces). Each community member has the discretion to continue to wear a mask if desired in public spaces and in their own office or personal space, or while attending in-person meetings. The College has a supply of 3-ply and KN95 masks and will continue to make these available to faculty, staff and students who request them.
In Jenks Library, masks will no longer be required but are still recommended in crowded areas of the library.
In Chapel services, masks will still be required for singing that is part of the worship program, but otherwise may be worn at the discretion of attendees during the service.
Masks will still be required in classrooms and labs during academic instruction until further notice. Certain campus areas, including the Health Center, may still require masking to be in compliance with federal guidance. If so, these exceptions will be posted. Music and theater performances may still require masks for audience members or performers in order to meet guild requirements or other professional standards. If required, this will be communicated in advance of performances.
Other large gatherings or requests to require masking for certain events or programs will need to be reviewed by the COVID-19 taskforce and may need President’s Cabinet approval. Please email [email protected] to make a request.

Other safety measures still in place:

Wellness checks. The Gordon campus will continue to use the 360 wellness check at this time. This daily self-reporting mechanism remains a helpful tool in assessing general campus wellness in real time.
The weekly testing program will continue as currently configured. The frequency and nature of the testing will be reevaluated after return to campus from spring break.

Last week’s testing and on-campus clinic results. The staff at our on-campus Testing Center processed 986 PCR tests, of which one came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of 0.10 percent, which continues to be much lower than national and state averages. Also, in partnership with Conley’s Drugstore, Gordon hosted a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic last Wednesday. Thirty-seven people participated (which included those getting first or second shots, and those with boosters.) Gordon is planning another COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic for March. More details to come!

What to do before and after spring break (March 5–March 13). Prior to spring break, please follow the routine weekly testing protocol. (Simply drop off your completed PCR test at the on-campus Testing Center in Lewis lobby.) If you’re on campus the week of March 7, complete your PCR test on campus as normal. We are not requiring a negative COVID-19 test to return to campus after spring break, but if you get sick during spring break, please get tested and isolate from others. *Note that during spring break, the on-campus Testing Center will be operating on a reduced schedule. Please refer to the “Scots Strong” COVID resource webpage for the testing schedule.

Again, we appreciate your patience and flexibility. Be sure to bookmark the COVID-19 dashboard for easy access to weekly COVID-19 stats. As always, if you have specific questions about Gordon’s COVID-19 response, you can visit our safety protocols webpage, FAQ webpage or contact [email protected].

The COVID-19 Taskforce

February 15, 2022 Update

February 15

Dear Gordon community,

Last week, our campus completed the third week of COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester. The staff at our on-campus Testing Center processed 1074 PCR tests, of which eight came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of .74 percent, which continues to be much lower than national and state averages.

On-campus Vaccine Clinic Will Take Place This Wednesday

In partnership with Conley’s Drugstore, Gordon is offering another COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic on Wednesday, February 16 from 10:30 a.m.–noon in the Ken Olsen Science Center. Pre-registration is required. All Gordon students, faculty, staff and family members are welcome, as are others connected to Gordon. More details are on the sign-up form. If you are participating, please enter KOSC and proceed to the lower level.

Weekly Surveillance Testing is Once Per Week for All Individuals

As a reminder, each member of the Gordon community that is living, working and/or studying on campus needs to complete only one surveillance PCR test each week, regardless of their vaccination or booster status.

Again, we appreciate your patience and flexibility as we try to figure out the best way to provide a safe, in-person college experience during the pandemic. Be sure to bookmark the COVID-19 dashboard for easy access to weekly COVID-19 stats. As always, if you have specific questions about Gordon’s COVID-19 response, you can visit our safety protocols webpage, FAQ webpage or contact [email protected].

The COVID-19 Taskforce

February 9, 2022 Update

February 9

Dear Gordon community,

Last week, our campus completed the second week of COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester. The staff at our on-campus Testing Center processed 919 PCR tests, of which 22 came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of 2.4 percent, which continues to be much lower than national and state averages.

Weekly Surveillance Testing No Longer Includes Pooled Testing

As a reminder, we are no longer conducting pooled testing. Each member of the Gordon community that is living, working and/or studying on campus must take a PCR test every week—either at the on-campus Testing Center in Lewis lobby or off campus. (In the event that you need to get a PCR test off campus, please submit the Off Campus Proof of Testing form.) If you forget to participate in weekly PCR testing, then your wellness check will turn yellow. Under a yellow status, an individual cannot attend in-person classes or meetings, eat in the dining hall or use the Bennet Athletic Center, so please be proactive in getting your PCR test every week. Please remember that the on-campus Testing Center is open six days a week and may close due to inclement weather.

Gordon’s Masking Policy Falls Under the Town of Wenham’s Mask Mandate
Gordon’s masking policy has not changed since the start of the spring semester. It is consistent with the mask mandate belonging to the Town of Wenham, which means that all faculty, staff, students and visitors—regardless of vaccinations status—must remain masked indoors, unless in their private workspace (e.g. office or cubicle), private locked residence hall or when actively eating or drinking in approved areas. For more details, you can check out our safety protocols webpage.

On-campus Vaccine Clinic Will Take Place on February 16

The COVID-19 Taskforce

February 1, 2022 Update

February 1

Dear Gordon community,

Last week, our campus completed the first week of COVID-19 surveillance testing for the spring semester. The staff at our on-campus Testing Center processed 1,247 PCR tests, of which 44 came back positive, giving our campus a positivity rate of 3.5 percent, which is far below national and state averages.

Due to the large decline in Omicron cases and Governor Baker’s request for colleges to scale back strict campus-wide COVID-19 protocols, Gordon students will be able to resume normal visitation between residence halls starting today. Thank you for your patience during the first week of in-person classes. We hope this gives you the chance to catch up with friends and enjoy being together in community.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

January 26, 2022 Update

January 26

Dear Gordon community,

Now we are all back on campus, the COVID-19 team will resume weekly updates. The schedule differs a bit, as students, faculty and staff are now receiving their COVID-19 test results nearly every day of the week (after our strategic switch to individual PCR testing instead of weekly pooled testing). Our COVID-19 dashboard will remain the primary source for keeping you up to date on positive COVID-19 cases and the campus positivity rate. The objective with omicron is to manage safely through more positive cases rather than avoid them, since the latest surge has shown that more cases are a reality. You can check the COVID-19 dashboard whenever you like. It will be updated by mid-week each week throughout the spring semester, and followed by a brief email with additional information on what is happening on campus or in our region.

Again, we appreciate your patience and flexibility as we continue down the road toward greater normalcy. Be sure to bookmark the COVID-19 dashboard for easy access to weekly COVID-19 stats. As always, if you have specific questions about Gordon’s COVID-19 response, you can visit our safety protocols webpage, FAQ webpage or contact [email protected].

The COVID-19 Taskforce

January 20, 2022 Update

January 20

Dear Gordon community,

As planned, this Monday (January 24) marks the return of in-person classes, Chapel attendance and fans at Gordon Athletics events. We want to share updated COVID-19 protocols that will help us enjoy another semester together, living and learning in person.

While it has been a long road navigating the permutations of this virus and managing campus safety with accessibility, there are hopeful signs ahead. Omicron is now the dominant strain of this virus in Massachusetts, and while it has proven to be highly transmissible, current studies also suggest that its symptoms are likely to be milder. We can and likely should expect to see a spike in positive cases for Omicron here on our campus as has been the experience nationally, regionally and locally. So, this semester we’re focusing on mitigation strategies—emphasizing testing and management of symptomatic individuals—to slow the spread while still enjoying in-person learning and not overburdening the people who are taking care of pressing needs in our community (like the Health Center, the COVID-19 Taskforce or Dining Services).

Full details on these protocols can be found on the Scots Strong web resource, so please check it regularly. This is a shorter summary of adjustments for COVID management this spring:

Asymptomatic PCR testing will now take place once per week for all individuals regardless of vaccination status (unless they have tested positive in the last 90 days). This replaces pooled testing for students. If you have an underlying health condition or are unvaccinated (or live or work with others who do/are), we encourage you to get tested more frequently. Hours for the on-campus PCR Testing Center can be found on the Scots Strong web resource.
The Town of Wenham has instituted a mask mandate for any publicly accessible buildings. Masking remains required unless you’re outside, actively eating and drinking or in your residence hall (though if you have any symptoms, we encourage you to wear a mask in common areas inside your residence hall). Once you’re no longer actively eating and drinking, please put your mask on even when in Nibble Nooks (in Jenks) and campus dining areas.
Adjustments in the quarantine process. Given the prevalent nature of the Omicron variant, and in order to respond dynamically to current case counts on campus at any given time, the COVID-19 team will take a case-by-case approach to utilization of Drew and Lewis as isolation or quarantine spaces. Some students may be placed in quarantine in their existing room or moved to a separate quarantine room based on availability, risk and situation. The COVID-19 team will work with each student on the best way to quarantine based on the situation.

And a few reminders:

Symptomatic individuals must report symptoms, no matter how mild, immediately through the Wellness Check. Even if it’s a runny nose, a sore throat, a mild headache or seasonal allergies, the rule of thumb is: When in doubt, report and test.
No inter-hall visitation or overnight guests during the start of the semester. Given the highly transmissible nature of Omicron, this is the safest way to start; however, we this is subject to change and will depend on data from weekly testing.
On-campus COVID-19 vaccine and booster clinic will take place on Wednesday, January 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in KOSC for students, employees and family members of employees. If you choose to participate, you must sign up for a time in advance. Vaccination remains an important tool in prevention of the most serious effects of COVID-19, and we strongly encourage anyone willing and able to be vaccinated to ensure they are fully up to date.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we’re on the road back to normal operations. We’re very excited to be back together for in-person classes, Chapel services, athletic competitions and campus activities. We hope you are as well. As always, you can visit our COVID-19 dashboard for more stats like our weekly positivity rate. If you have specific questions about Gordon’s COVID-19 response, you can visit our safety protocols webpage, FAQ webpage or contact [email protected].

—COVID-19 Taskforce

January 13, 2022 Update

January 13

To all members of the Gordon community,

Thank you for your cooperation in our gradual return to campus over the last few days and the coming week. Gordon remains on track to restart in-person undergraduate classes and Chapel on Monday, January 24 and we look forward to welcoming you back. Campus safety protocols remain in place and can be found on the Scots Strong web resource, which we will continue to update as needed.

We are grateful for your participation in our revised testing protocols for this spring semester to ensure we can safely restart campus learning and living activities. As a reminder to students, the weekly individual PCR testing protocol is in place of (not in addition to) the prior semester’s pooled saliva testing method. The on-campus testing center is open throughout the week for students, faculty and staff, though will be closed on holidays including this coming Monday, January 17 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

As over the last two years of this pandemic, our success over the spring semester will rely on us working together as a Gordon community and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate the weeks ahead.

With blessings for this MLK holiday weekend,

The COVID-19 Taskforce

January 12, 2022 Update

January 12

Dear Faculty, Staff and Student Workers,

As many of you may know, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace, which applies to all employers with more than 100 employees. While this ETS was under review at the U.S. Supreme Court last Friday and may be subject to change, the official implementation date was this week (January 10th) This note is to confirm that Gordon’s policies and protocols for this semester (initially shared by the COVID-19 taskforce by email on December 16th) will ensure that we are in compliance with OSHA’s regulations under the ETS. This includes our new process for documentation of vaccination status for employees, along with our existing indoor mask mandates and the newly implemented weekly testing program for all faculty, staff and students. The Scots Strong web resource was updated today to reflect the most current information as well. You can find it here https://www.gordon.edu/coronavirus/safetyprotocols.

If you have questions, please email the task force at [email protected]

The COVID-19 Taskforce

January 5, 2022 Update

Dear Gordon community,

You’ve been on our minds a lot as we’re continuing to rethink protocols for the spring semester that prioritize your health and safety—and the health and safety of our campus community as a whole.

With that in mind, we do have a few additional safety protocols and recommendations to share with you today. Additional measures will be implemented in classroom spaces to assist with contact tracing. Initially, visitation will only take place within the same residence hall (and not between different residence halls). Following the same pattern as classes and Chapel services, all events taking place before January 24 must be virtual unless they receive special approval from the full Cabinet. However, in-season athletic practices and games will continue as long as COVID-19 is not detected in any of the players on a particular team, but no spectators will be allowed at home games until January 24. Although there will be in-person dining in Lane Student Center, we strongly encourage students, faculty and staff to make use of grab-and-go options when possible.

Visit the Scots Strong webpage to get all the details on safety protocols, including FAQ, and get started on your pre-arrival checklist!

Students, many of you have asked about the testing requirement. If you are unable to get a PCR test at home prior to coming to Gordon, you can come to Gordon for a free PCR test (our testing times are located at www.gordon.edu/coronavirus), but you must agree to quarantine in your room until you get the negative test results, and make sure not to return to campus if you have any sick symptoms. You can leave your room to get limited food “to-go” only, but then should return right back to your room. You should be very careful about social distancing and wear your mask 100% of the time around any other people. You should not participate in any in-person activities, classes or events until you get your PCR test result.

As a reminder, here are some important dates for the start of the spring semester:

January 8: Residence halls open
January 10: Dining services resume
January 12: Virtual/online classes and Chapel services start
January 24: In-person classes and Chapel services begin

We look forward to welcoming you back to campus over the next several days.

Stay safe.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

January 3, 2022 Update

January 3

Dear Campus Community,

As cases of COVID-19 have been increasing across the nation, Gordon College is responding with additional guidelines and changes to the academic delivery model for the start of the spring semester.

Students:
Residence halls will open as scheduled on January 8^th and dining services will resume as scheduled on the 10^th. However, classes will start in a virtual delivery format for at least the first week and a half of the semester (January 12-January 21). This means that classes will not meet in person but will utilize online and virtual delivery. Students may choose to return to campus even though classes will not meet in person until Gordon resumes in-person instruction on Monday, January 24. Or they can adjust their return accordingly. We will announce additional details on campus events and dining guidelines later this week.

This change is to provide additional caution as our students, faculty, and staff return to campus from holiday travel. As of last week, (12/30), the single day positive case count was over 20,000 in Massachusetts with a seven-day weighted average of over 16%, both of which are record highs. In addition, because of this current surge of cases, access to PCR COVID-19 tests has been very difficult for many people, and the rapid tests seem to have a reduced sensitivity to detecting the Omicron variant. Gordon College has a significant supply of PCR tests and is ready to implement the campus testing strategy, but we are also monitoring the situation around the nation and believe this phased approach for starting the spring semester in-person will allow time for campus community members to undergo their testing and return to campus.

As a reminder, all students must take a PCR COVID-19 test*(see note below) within 72 hours prior to returning to campus. Students must submit the “proof of testing” form and the “vaccination status form” which can be found on this page: https://www.gordon.edu/coronavirus. Students should submit these forms prior to returning.

If you are unable to obtain a PCR test, please be on the lookout for additional information that we will send out soon related to other ways to meet the testing requirement.

*Special note: If you tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR test in the last 90 days, you should submit that test result and should not test again until you are outside of your 90-day window.

Faculty and Staff:

Faculty & Staff are to take a PCR COVID-19 test* on the first day back on campus. All faculty, staff & students must submit the “proof of testing” form and the “vaccination status form” that is located on this page: https://www.gordon.edu/coronavirus. Faculty & staff should submit these forms as soon as they receive their PCR test results from their first test.

*Special note: If you tested positive for COVID-19 on a PCR test in the last 90 days, you should submit that test result and should not test again until you are outside of your 90-day window.

Whenever possible, campus business meetings should be held in a virtual format and staff supervisors are encouraged to be flexible with remote work arrangements between now and January 21. Any faculty or staff member who has a household positive case(s) are encouraged to work with their supervisor and the COVID-19 team on remote work options or other work accommodations. Please work with your campus supervisors to discuss any questions you may have.

As a reminder, all students need to obtain a COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours prior to returning to campus (unless you tested positive on a PCR test within the last 90 days). However, we realize there is currently a national shortage of PCR tests available, and we will send out additional information soon on other ways to meet the testing requirement.

We appreciate your patience as we all respond to these new developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

December 16, 2021 Update

December 16

Dear Gordon community,

As the fall semester draws to a close and we transition into Christmas break, we wanted to give you a final status update and provide an overview of our on-campus pooled testing results, positive cases and vaccination efforts. This lengthy message contains a summary of the fall semester and also new requirements for the spring 2022 semester. Additional details will be released soon.

This message was postponed from last Friday in order to provide summary details for the semester and also in deference to the loss of our two community members—a sobering reminder of the realities we continue to face since the onset of COVID-19 nearly two years ago. While we know a Christian institution is not immune to tragedy, we can take comfort that we serve an amazing God who is fully in control of all things but we also know we must continue to work together to remain vigilant in meeting this persistent health threat.

Since the start of the semester, the COVID-19 Taskforce, Health Center and Office of Student Life have collaborated to conduct 19,111 COVID-19 tests on campus, making it possible for our residential and commuter students to get into a weekly testing routine. Out of these tests, 97 students and 24 faculty and staff tested positive, making our campus positivity rate approximately 0.63 percent. This semester, the COVID-19 Taskforce also partnered with Conley’s Drug Store and the Hamilton/Wenham Board of Public Health to provide three on-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinics, in which 438 doses of the COVID-19vaccine (a combination of first, second and booster shots) were administered.

Thank you to everyone who participated in (and helped run) the weekly COVID-19 pooled and PCR tests, who reported their symptoms through the Wellness Check, who wore their mask out of love and respect for their neighbors and who chose to get vaccinated this semester. All these efforts made a huge difference in helping us provide an in-person learning experience during a global pandemic. We couldn’t have made it this far without your commitment and support.

Looking Ahead to the Spring Semester
In the spring, we will be expanding our existing COVID-19 protocols by requiring:

students to submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to their return to campus;
Faculty & Staff to submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to their return to campus after Christmas break or take a PCR test in the testing center at Gordon immediately upon returning to campus in January;
weekly testing for all faculty and staff (in addition to the student testing protocol);
unvaccinated individuals (faculty, staff and students) to participate in twice weekly testing
students, faculty and staff to report any positive test (or if they are determined to be a close contact) from off-campus testing to the COVID-19 Taskforce ASAP;
students, faculty, and staff to sign a statement of community responsibility related to carefully following COVID-19 safety protocols

More complete details on these protocols and expectations for both students as well as faculty and staff will be shared in more detail soon.

Free Testing for Faculty and Staff Before Christmas Break
In the week leading up to Christmas break, free PCR testing is available to asymptomatic faculty and staff in the on-campus Testing Center in Lewis lobby from 2–4 p.m. on Monday, December 20 and 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21. If you need help finding a COVID-19 test during the Christmas holiday, there are many online resources to help you find testing locations or you can email [email protected] for assistance.

Early January PCR Clinic
PCR testing will be available starting January 3 in the Lewis Lobby and all faculty & staff are required to get a test on their first day back on campus as well as participate in the ongoing testing strategy during the spring semester. Additional details will be sent about the spring testing strategy soon.

Spring Semester COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
Near the start of the spring semester, Gordon will be hosting another COVID-19 vaccine clinic. More details to come in early January. We very strongly urge students, faculty and staff to use this opportunity to get vaccinated or receive the booster shot. If you have concerns or hesitation about getting the vaccine, please email [email protected] and a member of the Taskforce or other community member will be happy to talk with you about this. We continue to see data both on our own campus and in the community that shows that the vaccine continues to be the best way to reduce the chances of significant illness and hospitalization.

You can visit our COVID-19 dashboard for up-to-date stats. As always, if you have specific questions about Gordon COVID-19 response and safety protocols, please contact [email protected].

The COVID-19 Taskforce

December 13, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

If you are looking for a COVID-19 PCR test this week or next week, here is the testing schedule:

Location: Lewis Lobby

Monday, December 13: 2pm – 4pm
Tuesday, December 14: 2pm – 4pm
Wednesday, December 15: 2pm – 4pm
Monday, December 20: 2pm – 4pm
Tuesday, December 21: 2pm – 4pm

The test results typically come back in 16-36 hours, but are handled by an outside lab, so Gordon College does not have control over the speed of the results. These tests are provided free for Faculty, Staff and Students

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair – COVID-19 Taskforce

December 3, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

This week marks the 14th round of on-campus pooled saliva testing, and since our last update, there have been 15 new positive cases for COVID-19. There has been a marked uptick in COVID-19 cases nationally, regionally and on our campus, so please be diligent about:

wearing your mask indoors (unless you are actively eating/drinking or, for students, are in your residence hall),
reporting any symptoms via the Wellness Check and not reporting to class or work if symptomatic,
participating in all required COVID-19 testing and
trying to avoid situations that can create close contacts.

Thank you for your cooperation with these guidelines. It’s easy to grow weary of them, but they have made it possible for us to enjoy an in-person semester together. We’re also happy to report that because approximately 75 percent of the student body has been fully vaccinated, more than 100 close contacts avoided quarantine this fall. (If you are vaccinated, please consider getting your booster vaccine dose as an added protection at our upcoming vaccine clinic.)

Upcoming On-campus COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic
On Tuesday, December 7 Gordon will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for both the campus and local community, in partnership with Conley’s Drug Store, from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. in the MacDonald Auditorium in Ken Olsen Science Center. You can register here for a first dose, second dose or booster shot.

Vaccines offered

Pediatric Pfizer Vaccine (Age 5-11)
Pfizer Vaccine (Age 12+)
Moderna Vaccine (Age 18+)
Janssen/J&J (Age 18+)

Booster Eligibility
You may choose any of the vaccines offered. Your booster does not have to be the same as your first two shots.

Age: Anyone 18+
Pfizer and Moderna: should be at least 180 days since last shot (on/before June 10, 2021)
Janssen/J&J: should be at least 60 days since your last shot (October 8, 2021)

Final Pooled Testing for Students on Monday, December 6
There will be no pooled testing on Monday, December 13, and PCR testing is optional for commuter students. However, if students would like to get a COVID-19 test before they go home for Christmas break, we are offering optional PCR testing on:

Monday, December 13 from 2 p.m.–4 p.m.
Tuesday, December 14 from 2 p.m.–4 p.m.
Wednesday, December 15 from 2 p.m.–4 p.m.

in the on-campus Testing Center in Lewis lobby. No appointments necessary. Students will not be required to get tested before returning to campus after Christmas break, but we will resume pooled testing in January.

Free Testing for Faculty and Staff
Standard PCR and rapid testing are available in the on-campus Testing Center in Lewis lobby for the remainder of the undergraduate semester. So long as you are asymptomatic, please stop by on Mondays between 3–4:45 p.m., Wednesdays between 3–5:30 p.m. or Thursdays between 8–10 a.m. to be tested. If you are symptomatic, kindly stay home and contact your PCP to arrange testing or visit a local testing site (such as www.salem.com/covid ).

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair – COVID-19 Taskforce

November 19, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

This week marks the thirteenth round of on-campus pooled saliva testing, and since our last update, there have been 10 new student positive cases for COVID-19 and several cases of the traditional flu (which often presents similar symptoms to COVID-19). If you exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu, please promptly report your symptoms so that the Health Center can perform rapid tests for both viruses and provide you with the appropriate care and instructions.

There has been a marked uptick in COVID-19 cases nationally, regionally and on our campus, so please be diligent about wearing your mask indoors when necessary and try to avoid situations that can create close contacts, especially as we prepare to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family.

No Pooled Testing This Monday
There will be no pooled testing on Monday, November 22, and PCR testing is optional for commuter students.

However, if students would like to get a COVID-19 test before they go home for Thanksgiving, we are offering optional PCR testing on:

Monday from 9 a.m.–11 a.m.
Tuesday from 2 p.m.–4 p.m.

On-campus Testing is in the Lewis lobby. No appointments necessary. Students will not be required to get tested before returning to campus after Thanksgiving break, but we will resume pooled testing on November 29.

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair – COVID-19 Taskforce

November 12, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

This week marks the twelfth round of on-campus pooled saliva testing, and we have six new positive cases for COVID-19. Seven students are in isolation, and the COVID-19 Task Force is still completing contact tracing for a couple of cases identified this morning. It’s come to our attention that over the past two weeks, new COVID-19 cases have come from seven of our residence halls. We haven’t seen any evidence to suggest that cases are spreading due to classroom activities. But it’s just a good reminder to mask up when you’re around friends outside of your residence hall and to practice social distancing when you can, especially as members of our community prepare to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family.

Thanksgiving Break
The last pooled test prior to Thanksgiving will take place on Monday, November 15. There will be no pooled testing on Monday, November 22. However, if students would like to get a COVID-19 test before they go home for Thanksgiving, we are offering optional PCR testing on Monday from 9 a.m.–11 a.m. and Tuesday from 2 p.m.–4 p.m. in the on-campus Testing Center in Lewis lobby. No appointments necessary. Students will not be required to get tested before returning to campus after Thanksgiving break, but we will resume pooled testing on November 29.

Recent Vaccination Clinic
We did have a good turnout for our on-campus flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic in partnership with Conley’s Drug Store. Many students received their first or second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Thanks to everyone who participated!

This week, our COVID-19 dashboard is back up and running, so feel free to check it out for more stats like our semester positivity rate. As always, if you have specific questions about Gordon COVID-19 response and safety protocols, please contact [email protected]

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair – COVID-19 Taskforce

November 5, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

This week marks the 11th round of on-campus pooled saliva testing, and we have five new positive cases for COVID-19 and a higher number of students in quarantine due to being a "close contact" of someone who recently tested positive. Eight students are in isolation, and the COVID-19 Task Force is still completing contact tracing for a few cases identified later this week. As a reminder, please continue to exercise caution on and off campus and try to avoid situations and activities that have the potential to create close contacts.

While we’re grateful to the students who made it to the testing center during the network outage, we need all residential students to participate in the weekly campuswide pooled testing and scan the QR code when submitting their samples.

Students - If you’re having trouble remembering to show up for your pooled test, please set a recurring reminder on your phone so you don’t have to miss out on in-person learning and events in the short-term while you’re waiting for your PCR test result to come back. These small actions we take together do make a big difference when it comes to keeping our community safe, so we appreciate you making this a part of your weekly routine.

Right now our COVID-19 dashboard is down, but we are working to add it to the new website next week, so stay tuned. As always, if you have specific questions about Gordon COVID-19 response and safety protocols, please contact [email protected]

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair – COVID-19 Taskforce

October 29, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

This week marks the tenth round of on-campus pooled saliva testing, and we have six new positive cases for COVID-19. These six individuals are in isolation, and the COVID-19 Task Force is still completing contact tracing for two cases identified Friday morning. We appreciate your patience. The Wednesday windstorm and campus-wide network outage have impacted our regular timeline. That being said, we want to say a huge thank you to our students for getting to the testing center this week, even with these interruptions. We know it’s been a stressful time and appreciate your commitment to keeping our community safe.

While we have a high number of close contacts this week, thankfully most are fully vaccinated. Per the Department of Public Health in Massachusetts, fully vaccinated close contacts are not required to quarantine but will be subject to additional testing in the coming days. Please continue to exercise caution on and off-campus and try to avoid situations and activities that have the potential to create close contacts.

Please note that our COVID-19 dashboard is still inaccessible following the network outage. We appreciate your patience and hope to have more information to share with you soon. As always, if you have specific questions about Gordon COVID-19 response and safety protocols, please contact [email protected]

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair – COVID-19 Taskforce

October 22, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

This week marks the ninth round of on-campus pooled saliva testing, and we are happy to report that we only have three new positive cases for COVID-19. These three individuals are in isolation, and the COVID-19 Task Force has finished contact tracing for each of them. Please note that our COVID-19 dashboard is inaccessible during this time because Gordon is experiencing a network and server outage.

Reminder: There’s still an opportunity to sign up to receive a flu shot and/or COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot. The on-campus clinic, in partnership with Conley’s Drug Store, will take place on Thursday, October 28 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Boharic Conference Room in the Physical Plant building. To participate, you must make an appointment. Insurance is not required for COVID-related shots but is required for flu shots. Please note that while the Pfizer booster will be available to eligible candidates, Moderna and J&J booster appointments are conditional pending final CDC approval and availability.

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair – COVID-19 Taskforce

October 15, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

This week marks the eighth round of on-campus pooled saliva testing, and we are happy to report that we only have two new positive cases for COVID-19. These two individuals are in isolation and contact tracing has been completed; however, we appreciate your patience as many students are off campus this week and weekend for Quad Break, so that process took a little longer than normal.

We hope this break is restful, but please remain diligent in following safety protocols as much as you’re able to, so that we can continue keeping our campus community safe and our classes in person during a global pandemic.

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair – COVID-19 Taskforce

October 8, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

This week marks the seventh round of on-campus pooled saliva testing, and we are happy to report that all pool tests came back negative for the second week in a row! And as of this Thursday, 60 students who participated in our September on-campus vaccine clinics are now fully vaccinated, which raises our student vaccination rate to about 75 percent. Thank you to everyone who participated! If you’d still like to get the COVID-19 vaccine this semester, please fill out this interest form.

For more details, such as our campus positivity rate, visit the COVID-19 dashboard, which is updated every week. As always, if you have specific questions about Gordon COVID-19 response and [email protected].

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair – COVID-19 Taskforce

September 3, 2021 Update

Dear Gordon community,

We are 10 days into the fall semester and remain grateful for the opportunity to be living and learning in person and on campus. We have finished our second round of on-campus pooled saliva testing. I wanted to provide an update on where we stand. For the near term, we will continue to offer updates each Friday to ensure our community has the same information and understanding of how we are managing through what remains a dynamic situation. The Scots Strong web resource remains the best source of updated information as well.

Late Tuesday, we were notified that 5 of the 32 pooled saliva tests were positive for COVID-19 and we contacted around 175 students who were in these pools to come for follow-up individual PCR testing in the on-campus Testing Center in Lewis. From testing this week, we have identified 8 additional students who tested positive, bringing our semester total to 15. Some of the students who have tested positive are fully vaccinated; however, overall, we are seeing that the vaccine is doing a good job of keeping the transmission rate low on our campus (so please consider getting vaccinated if you haven’t already!). As of 8 a.m. on Friday, September 3, we have 1 student in on-campus quarantine, 3 in off-campus quarantine (close contacts), 10 in isolation on campus and 2 in isolation off campus (positive cases). These numbers change on a daily basis as students complete their isolation and quarantine period as per State guidelines.

Throughout the day today, the team is working hard to conduct contact tracing and to notify all affected individuals. While we originally planned to conduct this asymptomatic surveillance testing for only the first three weeks of the semester, as cases rise around the country and we see cases at Gordon, we have extended this precaution for at least several more weeks, possibly throughout the remainder of the semester.

As we encounter positive cases and potential exposures on our campus, we are following guidelines from the State of Massachusetts about proper next steps for those individuals, which can include various states of isolation and quarantine. We understand these situations, while temporary, can be trying for students, and we are committed to focusing resources and attention to care for them while also following proper protocols to ensure the safety and health of our campus community.

As you may know, we are using Lewis and Drew as quarantine and isolation housing. While we have so appreciated the Gordon community coming around to support those in quarantine and isolation, it is important that you stay behind the white lines painted on the grass when talking with people through the windows. This will ensure you are keeping a safe distance from those who may be contagious. Please do not be inside the “moat” or within the white lines at any time. Those inside Lewis or Drew, please remind visitors to keep their distance for safety.

Our responsibility with COVID-19 protocols is to be in alignment with the State of Massachusetts, which was the consistent standard Gordon applied throughout the last academic year. From the outset this summer, our goal has been to ensure that we can continue delivering an on-campus experience this year. Even just a few weeks into the semester, we are already seeing reports of peer schools pivoting to online learning because of widespread outbreaks on campus. We are recommending vaccines, requiring masking, and following other precautions to avoid a situation like that at Gordon. And we are asking the Gordon community to continue coming together toward the goal of staying together this semester. Thank you for your graciousness, flexibility and agility as we’ve adjusted plans and protocols in response to the ebb and flow of the pandemic.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to change, so will we. We are closely monitoring several factors and will use the data to determine any need for changes. These include testing results and close contacts on campus, vacancy levels in designated isolation and quarantine spaces, vaccination rates, local case numbers, and recommendations from the Board of Health in Wenham. Several months ago—even several weeks ago—we were hopeful that these factors wouldn’t need to be part of the equation for the fall semester at Gordon. But as the past 18 months have shown, COVID-19 doesn’t always adhere to our best plans, and we’ve needed to adjust expectations and operations to ensure a safe experience for our campus community and our local neighbors.

If you have questions about the COVID-19 virus or vaccine, Gordon professors Dr. Craig Story (immunologist) and Dr. Greg Keller (biochemist) hosted a Q&A webinar earlier this week. You can watch the recording here. And, as always, if you have specific questions about Gordon's COVID-19 response and protocols, please contact [email protected].

Blessings,
Chris Jones
Chair, COVID-19 Taskforce

August 24, 2021 Update

Dear Faculty, Staff & Students,

Effective tomorrow, Wednesday, August 25, all faculty, staff, students and visitors—regardless of vaccinations status—must remain masked indoors, unless in their private workspace (e.g. office or cubicle), residence hall or when actively eating or drinking (medical exemptions still apply). We are constantly monitoring COVID-19 cases in our area as well as results from our campus testing and will continue to reevaluate this policy on an ongoing basis. This policy has been updated on the protocol webpage.

The reason for this change is due to rising cases in our state and local area, the closeness of our community and recommendations from local and state health officials as well as other experts in the field. We realize there are many different thoughts on how to respond to the pandemic, but we would ask our community to come together in a unified way even if we disagree.

As always, if you have COVID-19 questions, please don’t hesitate to reply to this email.

Sincerely,
The COVID-19 Taskforce

August 18, 2021 Update

Gordon students,

We look forward to Orientation this Friday and the start of classes next Wednesday—it will be such a blessing to see you all on campus again. As we finalize some details of our COVID-19 protocols for the coming semester, here is one reminder and one update to last week’s communication.

Reminder: Complete Your COVID-19 Forms
Please be sure to complete your Health Center form and Proof of Testing form before you return to campus, or—at the latest—before your first fall semester class. Until you submit these two forms, you will have a “red status” on your wellness check on Gordon360, which will prevent you from attending in-person classes. As soon as you send in these forms, though, your status will change from “red” to “green.”

Update: Mask Guidance
As a reminder, masks are required in indoor spaces where academic instruction takes place (such as classrooms, labs, studios, performance spaces, etc.). Last week we indicated that Gordon’s leadership would continue to assess the need for additional precautionary measures prior to the start of classes. At this time, masks are recommended by not required for other activities such as club meetings, using the library and attending Chapel/Convocation (though participants will be asked to put on masks during singing). Masks may be requested (but not required) for specific events or meetings, as determined by the host. All current details of the masking policy are available on the updated safety protocols section of the Scots Strong web resource. As we move into the start of the semester, we will continue to monitor several factors—such as test results, vaccination rates, local area numbers—to determine the need for additional changes.

Thank you for your grace and flexibility as we work to ensure a safe and successful start to the semester! We can’t wait to see you soon.

The COVID-19 Taskforce

August 10, 2021 Update

To all new and returning Gordon College students,

Greetings and blessings to you. Speaking on behalf of all who are here working with you toward the start of Orientation and the fall semester, we are delighted to be together on campus and to welcome you personally.

I want to provide some important updates that we know will be helpful to you. Pursuing a Gordon education with a campus community that cares deeply about each other is a blessing always, but perhaps even more so as COVID-19 and the emergence of Delta and other variants continue to factor into the decisions colleges have been making throughout the summer.

As you begin to return to campus over the next two weeks and prepare for the fall 2021 semester (or have joined us already through La Vida or other programs), here are the four most important things you need to know to make your transition to campus the best it can possibly be:

Pre-arrival (or on/after arrival) testing. In order for Gordon to have a baseline for overall campus health as we begin the semester, we are necessitating that all students (regardless of vaccination status) complete a COVID-19 test prior to or soon after arriving on campus. We recognize that this step is a very recent change, and we will work with you to make this requirement as minimally disruptive as possible to your travel plans. For those of you already on campus, we simply ask that you take the opportunity to be tested as soon as possible after your arrival. You can find more complete details on the safety protocols section of our Scots Strong web resource.

Vaccines are strongly encouraged but not required. Consistent with what we have communicated over the last few months, Gordon has been strongly encouraging (but not requiring) students and all members of the campus community to be vaccinated against COVID-19 if they are able to do so. We respect your decisions and unique circumstances related to this issue and understand that some students and families may have medical and/or religious convictions that are preventing them from taking this step at this time. We are also encouraged by the results of our recent anonymous all-campus survey (conducted in late June and early July), which indicated that 81% of students, 91% of staff and 95% of faculty are or are planning to be fully vaccinated for the fall semester.

Protocols around mask use and other safety measures. Given newer concerns around Delta and other variants that have gained greater attention over the last few weeks, we are implementing a more narrowly focused mask use requirement (regardless of vaccination status) for any indoor spaces with academic instruction and academic activities (including classrooms, labs, studios, rehearsal and performances spaces). Current guidelines around mask use for all community members are detailed here. Gordon’s leadership team will continue to assess the need for additional precautionary measures prior to the start of classes and will communicate any change should one be forthcoming. As in the past, our goal is to be appropriately cautious, so that we can care for the well-being of our campus and local communities, and so we can uphold the standards and guidelines belonging to our local area and the state of Massachusetts. We will also reestablish the simple and easy daily “wellness check” system that has been a very useful tool over the past year. Find complete details on that here.

A weekly testing plan for the first three weeks of semester. Gordon College will conduct regular “surveillance” testing of all students (regardless of vaccination status) to ensure that the community remains safe as the semester begins. This is a short-term step that is certainly prudent and wisely precautionary. The process will be explained at the outset of the testing and more details will be added to our resource by this Friday (August 13).

Our goal and expectation for this fall semester remains the same—we want to create and sustain a “new-normal” experience as much as possible in all facets of our academic, co-curricular and campus life experience, while at the same time caring for our campus community and those around us. As Christians, we know that we live in a world where we can take great comfort in knowing the uncertain and the unexpected are always in the hands of the God we serve. Gordon has always known its sense of place—both as a distinctly Christian institution and a physical campus where you are cared for with equal parts of prudent caution and discernable pride. It is why you and your family chose to become part of the Gordon community. We are glad to have you here.

With thanks and deep appreciation for you and your families,
Dan Tymann, Executive Vice President for Campus Life

June 23, 2021 Update

To all returning Gordon students,

As we move forward from a year overshadowed by the menace of COVID-19, I am pleased to confirm the governor of Massachusetts formally ended its state of emergency last week, which had been in place since March of 2020. This follows the rescinding of COVID-19 restrictions on May 29. As the State has seen new case counts drop to record lows and with more than 4 million residents fully vaccinated, we are gratified to enter a “new normal” as we plan for the fall semester. Here is a reminder of what this means for us on campus:

VACCINATIONS. The College strongly encourages (but will not require) all students, staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19 if they are able to do so. New students are already required to provide a reporting of medical history and complete immunization status. These records are managed by the Health Center and kept confidential per HIPPA regulations. Since COVID-19 vaccines were introduced only within this past year, this fall we will be asking all students to confirm their vaccine status with the Health Center. More information on this process will be provided in coming weeks.

Additionally, we will ask students (as well as faculty and staff) to self-report their COVID-19 vaccination status anonymously. We plan to conduct this via an electronic survey later this week. Please complete the survey as soon as possible upon receipt. This data will be aggregated to help us better understand the overall status and trends of COVID-19 vaccinations among the campus community as we continue to move beyond the pandemic.

MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING. Fully vaccinated students, faculty and employees will not be required to wear face coverings, indoors or out. This includes apartment buildings, dorms, dining hall, offices, classrooms and other common areas. Consistent with the Commonwealth’s guidance, we continue to advise unvaccinated individuals (regardless of any past COVID-19 infection) to be masked and socially distanced while indoors at their discretion.

CLASSROOM PROTOCOLS. Classroom sizes will return to normal, with no COVID-19 protocols. Classes requiring in-person attendance will no longer be able to be completed remotely, with limited exceptions (international students already approved to study remotely, or students unable to attend for health reasons.) Faculty members will have the option to require additional protocols in their classes as needed.

RESIDENCE LIFE. Socializing and sharing of living space will return to normal standards. This means there is no plan for regular testing of students (as we had done during this past academic year), nor will there be limitations on room or lounge capacity, and no restrictions regarding visiting other student rooms (outside of normal visitation/open hours policy). However, students showing symptoms of any illness during the academic year will be strongly encouraged to visit Gordon’s Health Center, where, as needed, COVID-19 testing can be administered and managed accordingly. Knowing that Gordon will not require proof of vaccination status, we ask that each community member of our campus exercise kindness, tolerance and forbearance with one another as we move into this next phase of managing campus safety.

ATHLETICS AND EVENTS. Sports competition and campus venues will return to normal capacity and participation standards. However, it is still possible that certain activities may require students to be vaccinated for full participation as prescribed by ‘professional or guild’ organizations the College is involved with, such as an athletic conference. In accordance with State law, individuals demonstrating a legitimate medical reason or sincerely held religious belief may be exempt from such requirement. If this is necessary, students will be advised in advance and can plan accordingly.

Overall, we anticipate that fall 2021 will be a welcome return to the full scope and richness expected in a Christian residential learning and living community. Our hope and prayer for each of you is that this will be a time of renewed joy and reinvigoration as you start or continue your journey at Gordon College.

With anticipation for a great semester,

Dan Tymann
Executive Vice President for Campus Life

Updated on October 8, 2021