Dear 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网 Community,
Welcome and thank you to our entire community for participating in our January return-to-campus testing program and contributing to the possibility and success of our Spring 22 semester. The program officially started on January 5 and concluded on Tuesday, February 1, and we wanted to share a snapshot of the final numbers along with some additional information regarding the spring semester.
COVID Testing Program Wrap Up by the Numbers:
As reported on the Spring Campus Guide dashboard, 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网’s total community population of students, faculty, and staff is roundly comprised of 2,500 members—of which roughly 1750 are students (both undergrad and graduate), and 750 are staff and faculty (including adjunct faculty).
- As of February 1, cumulatively over 3,200 test results were recorded either from 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网’s on-campus testing program or external testing sites.
- Of those 3200+ tests administered, there was a cumulative total of 124 positive results.
- This results in an aggregate positivity rate of 3.90%.
- The weekly positivity rate against tests taken continues to drop, with the last week of January showing only one new case.
These numbers underscore the remarkable and continued cooperation, collaboration, and care demonstrated by all of our community members in adhering to the College’s health and safety policies and protocols. The College has all of you to thank for providing such a strong start to the spring semester—a start that will help make it a rich and rewarding one.
As a result, the College is pleased to announce the following enhancements to our current Operational Mode:
On-Campus Gatherings
The 10-person capacity restriction for 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网’s on-campus gatherings has been lifted. 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网 community members may now gather in groups without size restrictions. However, please remember that indoors masking is still required with no exceptions outside of eating in designated areas.
Expanded Visitation Policy for 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网’s Signature Events
Through the expansion of our On-Campus Visitation Policy, the College will enhance access for family and friends to better share in the celebration of our community’s most important events and milestones like thesis exhibitions and 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网. Starting Friday, February 25, the On-Campus Visitation Policy will be expanded to allow non-澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网 visitors access to galleries and presentation spaces for exhibitions and shows. This expansion is made possible by the incorporation of a mandatory proof of vaccination (or negative PCR test) check for all non-澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网 visitors. Per the policy, all visitors will require a sponsoring director or vice president who will be responsible for the verification of vaccination/test status.
Blended Events
In addition to thesis exhibitions and 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网, the enhanced visitation policy will provide for other types of group on-campus events, like the Fashion Show, that would blend non-澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网 community members and 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网 community members. If the number of outside visitors exceeds 10, these blended events will require approval by Tiffany Holmes (curricular) and Mike Patterson (co-curricular) with oversight by the Office of Events (events@mica.edu).
And remember!
- Use the #CampusClear app daily, and, if symptomatic, follow the instructions in the app.
- Boosters are now required! Students upload proof into their Medicat Health Portal and employees upload proof into Workday.
- Wearing KN95 masks is highly encouraged.
Again, it is only through the extraordinary cooperation and commitment of our students, faculty, and staff that we are able to continue to enhance and enrich the 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网 experience this semester. And although we are all looking hopefully at the now-steady decline of cases in our region, your continued support and adherence to the College’s health and safety protocols will help ensure this positive trend continues.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the next One 澳门金沙投注_任你博-官网 Town Hall on Wednesday, February 16 at 2 p.m. (EST)