Dear Allegheny College Campus Community,
Hello! It is finally time to welcome students back to campus! With the excellent work that everyone did last semester keeping everyone safe, I am confident that we will have a healthy and fun spring.
Once we get you here…
Right now there is a winter storm in our midst, throwing a wrench in our pre-arrival testing plans. Nobody needs more stress! But listen, we’ve got this. Here is an update and detailed contingency plans.
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday:
- 1,003 students’ test kits were received by UPS and are in transit
- 94 kits have been received by Inspire and processed
- 60 students have not been able to get to UPS (most due to the weather)
- 93 students were found to be COVID-19 negative
- 1 student was found to be COVID-19 positive (asymptomatic)
- 7 students did not order a test kit (they are considering switching to remote)
- 63 students are excluded from testing due to a COVID-19 positive test in the last 90 days
Unfortunately, we expect many results to be delayed until Thursday or Friday. Here is what to do if your result is delayed.
Late test results: We are aware of UPS shipping delays. We are fortunate to have an Allegheny parent who is a UPS executive and has been giving us updates. We have reason to hope that all test kits will be delivered to the lab today. Inspire has staffed their lab to return results within 24 hours of the test kit arriving at their facility. Keep checking your email and phone and stay calm. Once your kit arrives at the lab, we are confident that the results will come back quickly. However, you need a negative PCR test or an ACHA exemption to move in. If your results are delayed, do not come to campus. We will not allow you to move in.
Late to campus: If you are going to miss your move-in appointment, email the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@allegheny.edu so we can find you another move-in time. Move-in dates are February 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., February 20 from 9 to 11 a.m., and February 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are creating move-in dates in March as well. Unfortunately, given the safety requirements of the pandemic, we are unable to move students in during unscheduled times. If you arrive after hours or your plans change en route, please call Public Safety at (814) 332-3357 for advice. You will need to find housing off campus until we can receive you. In prior years, Public Safety has worked with students to deliver keys after hours; this is not possible this semester.
If you are lucky enough to get a negative result by your move-in time, sharpen your pencils! We look forward to seeing you in person.
If you test positive, stay home, isolate, and email ACHA. If you have no symptoms or are improving, you can likely move in on February 25. Contact tracing will be done by your local Department of Health.
If your test result is inconclusive, you may order another test kit or obtain a PCR test close to home. Please read the instructions carefully; most inconclusive results are due to an error such as accidentally dumping the water out of the test tube.
Some students are asking if they can obtain a PCR COVID-19 test on their own. I hate for you to be burdened with this, especially since Allegheny College is providing you with an at-home test. But if it is safe to do so where you are, then we will accept your own PCR test. Send us a photo of the result or email us with questions, and we will allow you to move in on the soonest possible scheduled move-in date.
Again: you need a negative PCR test or an ACHA exemption to move in.
IF YOUR RESULTS ARE DELAYED, POSITIVE, OR INCONCLUSIVE, DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS. WE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO MOVE IN.
If you feel ill or are exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19 just before coming to campus, STAY HOME and email ACHA. Quarantine and isolation housing will not be available during move-in.
Finally, a big THANK YOU to our students! I don’t want the snow to distract from the fact that 1,003 students shipped their kits back on time! Wow! Great job!
That’s it for now. Again, I am sorry about the winter weather. No one needs more hassle right now. Put on some relaxing music and travel slow and safe — or stay home. If you need a suggestion, try Vieux Farka Toure. I saw him in concert two summers ago and have been addicted since (how much do we all miss live music?).
See you soon. And keep in touch.
Dr. Morrow