Latest Updates

Thanksgiving break return testing

Dear Allegheny College Campus Community,

With Thanksgiving break on the horizon, we want to remind you that those who socialize or travel should test before rejoining the campus community. You can upload a copy of a home test here or join us at the Winslow Health Center for testing on the following dates:

  • Friday, November 25, 4–7 pm
  • Saturday, November 26, 1–8 pm
  • Sunday, November 27, 10 am–8 pm

Winslow Health Center will continue to be open for drop-in testing through the remainder of the semester. Our hours can be found here.

You can obtain the newly authorized bivalent booster at all our local pharmacies or by calling Meadville Medical Center at 814-336-1800. ACHA is happy to drive you to your appointment.

As always, email us at healthagency@allegheny.edu with any questions.

Gator strong.

Dr. Morrow Thanksgiving break return testing

Update on COVID-19 and monkeypox on campus

Dear Allegheny College Campus Community,

I hope this email finds everyone well and ready for the fall break. I am writing with an update on COVID-19 and monkeypox on our campus.

During the past 7 days:

  • 16 students tested positive for COVID-19
    • 7 students are currently in isolation in their rooms on campus
    • 4 students are isolating at home
    • 5 students have returned to campus after isolation
  • 3 employees tested positive for COVID-19
    • 1 employee is isolating at home
    • 2 employees have returned to campus

As our students isolate in their rooms, we note no spread to those living around them (aside from those friends with whom they were connected before diagnosis and who are included in the above count). I continue to be grateful for the respect and consideration that our students have for one another’s well being.

Those who test positive are notifying their contacts and entering their contacts into a Google form for our review. We have noted three friend clusters with no connection found between those clusters within extracurricular, social, or athletic groups.

During this uptick in cases, the COVID dashboard will be updated daily.

Drop-in testing is open at the Winslow Health Center and those who are symptomatic are encouraged to wear a mask and come in for testing. Our hours are as follows:

  • Tuesday, October 4 — 10 am – 3 pm
  • Wednesday, October 5 — 10 am – 3 pm
  • Thursday, October 6 — 10 am – 3 pm
  • Friday, October 7 — 10 am – 3 pm

The newly authorized bivalent booster is now available. COVID-19 boosters are not required but are strongly recommended. Where to obtain the booster:

No Allegheny College community member has reported testing positive for monkeypox.

ACHA will continue to share important updates and reminders with the community, with another update by the end of this week. I encourage you to email us at healthagency@allegheny.edu if you have any questions.

Gator strong.

Dr. Morrow

Update on COVID-19 and monkeypox on campus

Dear Allegheny College Campus Community,

I hope this email finds everyone well and enjoying the fall weather. I am writing with an update on COVID-19 and monkeypox on our campus.

During move-in weekend:

  • 0 students tested positive for COVID-19.
  • 4 employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Before move-in weekend:

  • 5 students tested positive for COVID-19 at home before coming to campus.
  • 10 employees tested positive for COVID-19 at home before coming to campus.

Since move-in weekend:

  • 3 students and 6 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 on campus:
    • 2 students isolated at home
    • 1 student isolated in their campus housing with food dropped off
  • 7 students and 10 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 off campus.

Reminder: the COVID-19 dashboard is updated weekly on Friday afternoon during the semester.

Drop-in testing is open at the Winslow Health Center as follows:

  • Wednesday, September 28 – 10 am – 3 pm
  • Thursday, September 29 – 10 am – 3 pm
  • Friday, September 30 – 10 am – 3 pm

The newly authorized bivalent booster is now available. COVID-19 boosters are not required but are strongly recommended. Where to obtain the booster:

No Allegheny College community member has reported testing positive for monkeypox.

ACHA will continue to share important updates and reminders with the community on an as-needed basis. As always, I encourage you to email us at healthagency@allegheny.edu if you have any questions.

As we transition back to a fully open campus life, I continue to be struck by our community of mutual care.

Gator strong.
Dr. Morrow

Welcome Back!

Dear Allegheny College Community,

Welcome back! With the fall semester about to start, I am writing to share our 2022–2023 COVID-19 pandemic plans. While case numbers are fluctuating around the country, our community of mutual care gives me reason for optimism as the semester begins. You can view our 2022–2023 COVID-19 Pandemic Plan here. In addition, we are monitoring the spread of the monkeypox virus and have a Monkeypox Plan, which you can read here. It is our goal that all members of our community feel safe and welcome on campus.

COVID-19 testing: all community members will test before returning to campus for the Fall 2022 Semester. COVID-19 testing for move-in will occur at the Wise Center; dates and hours can be found here. Starting on Tuesday, August 30, daily COVID-19 testing will take place at the Winslow Health Center, which is located in Schultz Hall. Those community members who have not provided proof of COVID-19 vaccination are required to test weekly, free of charge. Those who are vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to test only at move-in. Community members may elect to test during regular hours throughout the semester by making an appointment here.

Those who wish to mask on our campus are welcome to do so. If you feel ill or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, it is a good idea to wear a mask. Masks are not required for anyone on our campus.

Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. While there have been many cases of the infection spreading through sexual contact, it is important to know the virus can be spread in other ways. Please see this link for more information: CDC Monkeypox Information. We will continue to monitor spread of the monkeypox virus and will adjust the College’s response accordingly.

In closing, I realize it is difficult to anticipate how COVID-19 and monkeypox will impact our community in the future, and therefore it is important we all remain flexible as we navigate the fall semester. As we have learned, it is important we remain vigilant as we learn to live with the changing course of these viruses, and we also look forward to offering in-person activities, classes, and ways for students, staff, and faculty to engage. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Gator Strong.

Dr. Morrow

COVID-19 testing location update

Dear Allegheny College Community,

I am writing to inform you of a change to the ACHA testing location. Over the past two years, our colleagues in athletics have been wonderful hosts to ACHA as we have worked together to keep our community safe. We appreciate their kindness and willingness to share their facilities, but the time has come to shift the testing site to allow athletics to fully utilize their space.

Effective July 19, 2022, all daily COVID-19 testing will take place at the Winslow Health Center, which is located in Schultz Hall. Access to Winslow Health Center may be found on the Park Avenue side of Schultz. Parking is available in lot 25 for employees if needed. Our weekly appointment schedule can be found here.

COVID-19 testing for move-in will occur at the Wise Center location as it has in previous semesters due to the large volume of participants. Move-in testing instructions will be sent to students as part of their return-to-campus communications. Employees wishing to test on move-in days will be able to do so but should be aware of the greater number of participants on those particular days. If you have any questions, please contact ACHA at healthagency@allegheny.edu. We look forward to seeing you all in August and hope that you are enjoying your summer!

Gator strong.

Dr. Morrow

What a stellar community!

Dear Allegheny College Campus Community,

Bravo, Gators! You have turned the recent uptick in cases into a bump in the road. Look at our numbers — rephrase — look at YOUR numbers:

  • 8 students tested positive today
  • 1 employee tested positive today
  • 82 students and 6 employees are currently isolating secondary to COVID-19. Most will be testing out in the next five days
  • 27 students tested out of isolation today
  • ZERO students have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Given the downslope in cases, the mask mandate will expire today at 5 p.m. Those who would like to keep masking are encouraged to do so. A big thank you to the nurses and volunteers who helped this week, including the many students at the Wise Center who just jumped in to open test kits, organize the line, and pack their friends’ personal items. What a stellar community. Nurses will be working all weekend to swab and visit those in isolation and Hooper will be driving students; feel free to thank them.

Nice work, Gators.

Dr. Morrow

COVID-19 response update

Dear Allegheny College Campus Community,

I am writing with an update on the COVID-19 response on our campus.

  • Today, 20 students and one employee tested positive for COVID-19.
  • Over the last three days, 62 students who were in isolation tested negative for COVID-19 and were able to return to campus.
  • We currently have 139 students in isolation, and we have 46 beds available for student isolation.

In other news, my goal to test those eligible for early exit from isolation between 8 and 10 a.m. was overly ambitious. It takes hours to swab all the eligible students, and our nursing staff is working diligently to complete the tests. If you are concerned that you have been missed, email ACHA and we will update you.

As a reminder, to be eligible for an “early exit” test, students must have improving symptoms or no symptoms. Those who test negative for COVID-19 and have resolving or no symptoms can rejoin the campus in all aspects, including attending class in person, participating in extracurricular activities, and traveling for campus-sponsored events.

Gator strong.

Dr. Morrow

P.S. Here is a link to a few exercises that, if you’re feeling well enough, you can do to stay active — whether you’re in isolation housing or just need a quick study break.

COVID-19 response update

Dear Allegheny College Campus Community,

I am writing with an update on the COVID-19 response on our campus.

  • Today, 24 students tested positive, which brings us to a total of 165 students in isolation.
  • We have 27 spaces available for isolation.
  • We have 7 employees in isolation — no employees tested positive today.
  • Some students have reported coughing, runny noses, or malaise. No one has reported a temperature over 99, and all illness appears to be mild.

Students, if you test at home this weekend, please try to do it during the daytime. We are always available, but it is easier to help you during the day. We will be checking the ACHA account all weekend. If you feel ill or think you are positive for COVID-19, stay in your room, mask, and email us at healthagency@allegheny.edu.

For those in isolation:

  • Please email the health agency with any needs or if you feel worse. We can usually deliver toiletries and medications the same day. We can accommodate special diets.
  • If you need items from campus, have your friends pack them and we will deliver them to you.
  • Nurses will be visiting all students in campus-sponsored isolation housing this weekend.
  • Those who are ready for an “early exit” COVID test will be swabbed each day between 8 and 10 a.m. Answer that early morning knock! We will give you a ride back to campus.

Thank you for all that you are continuing to do to keep our community as healthy as possible. Spend the weekend studying and enjoying the company of small groups of friends, preferably outside. We look forward to a decrease in cases next week followed by a strong finish to the semester together on campus!

Gator strong.

Dr. Morrow

Pandemic response update

Dear Allegheny College Campus Community,

I am writing with an update on the COVID-19 response on our campus.

Today, 48 students tested positive for COVID-19, which brings us to a total of 109 students in isolation. Students who do not choose to go home for isolation are being housed at local hotels and Ravine Hall. As of right now, we have 33 spaces available for isolation and expect more to open up tomorrow. We are not short on isolation housing.

One employee tested positive today, which brings us to five total positive employees. All are resting comfortably at home.

Contact tracing shows that the spread continues to be between friend groups. There has been no spread noted in classroom settings.

Given the high number of new cases on our campus, we are implementing a mask mandate for indoor spaces on campus effective immediately. Please see guidelines below for classes from the Provost’s Office. The current mask mandate will expire on Wednesday, May 4, at 5 p.m., but may be extended if we do not see a significant decline in our case count next week. A well-fitting mask that covers the nose and mouth is acceptable. There are N95 masks available at the Wise testing center.

There are several campus-sponsored events this weekend, including the Playshop’s She Kills Monsters and the Zingale Big Idea Competition. These events will be masked except for those actively on stage. If you have a social gathering planned, we recommend that you postpone it. Graduation is right around the corner, and we would like to make that as normal as possible; help us protect our campus and our seniors by masking and avoiding close social gatherings.

While you are off campus, please consider wearing a mask to help protect the Meadville community. Spend your time studying and with small groups of friends. Like the snow today, this will pass and spring will come.

Gator strong.

Dr. Morrow

Guidelines for Classes

Under the mask requirement, all students and faculty are required to wear masks in all teaching spaces. Faculty are expected to follow this policy as employees of the College. Faculty may ask students without a mask to put one on and may ask non-compliant students to leave a teaching space. The Provost’s Office should be contacted with any issues.

Faculty should continue to provide flexibility for students in isolation or quarantine, accommodating continuity of learning as best as possible. Faculty know best what works for them and their classes; options include synchronous hybrid classrooms with students joining remotely from quarantine or isolation and asynchronous options (providing recorded lectures; written course materials) coupled with video conferencing with students (it is important to engage these students with synchronous contact as one-on-one meetings or discussion groups). Students in isolation or quarantine who may need IT support (a device or connectivity) should contact infodesk@allegheny.edu or call 814-332-3768.

Students who are not in isolation or quarantine who are otherwise healthy should attend class in person. Students may not otherwise request to take classes remotely and faculty should not move their courses to remote learning unless there is a College directive to do so.

Note that the RSEs are to be administered next week (May 2–6). Faculty should continue to plan time during scheduled class meetings to administer the RSEs using the new instrument through Canvas.

Pandemic response update and COVID-19 policy changes

Dear Allegheny College Campus Community,

I am writing with an update on the COVID-19 response on our campus. Today, 29 students tested positive for COVID-19, which brings us to a total of 55 students in isolation. The spread continues to be between friend groups. With finals on the horizon, we recommend that our community mask in public spaces. N95 masks and paper masks are available at the Wise Center.

There has been some concern about the members of the public who attended the MEC concert on Saturday night. All non-Allegheny guests were vaccinated and tested negative at the Wise Center in the hours before the concert. In fact, we have not yet noted spread between concert guests.

Despite the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community this week, I am relieved to report that all students and employees in isolation are resting comfortably, with minimal symptoms. As we continue to learn more about the latest COVID-19 variants, I am writing to inform you of some COVID-19 policy changes on our campus.

Contact tracing:

  • Over the last two weeks, 17 students tested positive for COVID-19 who had been identified through contact tracing. That meant that they were masking and remaining physically distanced after being notified of the tracing. They also had shorter lists of contacts because they had refrained from socializing, eating with friends, and sitting near others in classrooms. Contact tracing allows us to protect our campus and therefore will remain in effect.
  • We have also noticed that those who have been contact traced and subsequently test positive for COVID-19 do so within five days of exposure. We have had no cases that were uncovered by day 7 testing. Therefore, those who have been identified through contact tracing need only mask and distance until a negative test result on day 5.

Isolation:

  • Because Allegheny students live in close proximity, it is imperative that they protect each other by remaining isolated while infectious with COVID-19. That said, research has shown that antigen tests can be a useful tool to guide recommendations for isolation after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, starting tomorrow, we will begin to test students in isolation at Quality Inn with the hope of returning them to campus earlier than 10 days. Here is a timeline of how this will work:
    • Day 0 is marked by the start of symptoms
    • Day 5: Are symptoms improving?
      • NO: continue to isolate and receive medical support from ACHA
      • YES: nasal antigen test administered by a trained professional
        • Positive — we will test you again each day until you test negative or 10 days have passed.
        • Negative — no longer contagious; student may return to campus.
  • Students who choose to isolate at home can submit a negative test administered by a licensed medical professional.
  • Allegheny employees are now permitted to return to campus after day 5 while masked. If an employee would like a repeat test on days 5-9 to confirm that they are not contagious, they can email ACHA for a testing appointment. To protect our community, if you know that you are positive for COVID-19, please do not walk into testing without an appointment.

Gator strong. Gator safe.

Dr. Morrow