Dear Colleagues: I write to share with you that effective May 11, the college will end many of its COVID-19 protocols. This move is consistent with the Biden administration’s recent announcement regarding the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The shift in our approach also follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and our advisors from the Mayo Clinic that it is appropriate at this point to consider COVID-19 as one among many infectious diseases that can be prudently managed on an ongoing basis. According to…
Dear Students, The CDC released updated COVID-19 vaccination guidelines on September 2, 2022. These guidelines recommend all individuals receive the COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine. The bivalent vaccine is the vaccine based on the original (ancestral) strain of SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 (BA.4/BA.5) variants of SARS-CoV-2. Bates College strongly recommends that all students receive the bivalent booster as soon as possible. Most individuals are recommended to receive a bivalent vaccine two months after their most recent COVID-19 vaccine dose or three months following being diagnosed with COVID-19. As…
Dear First-Year and Transfer Students, We are so excited to welcome you to your new home in Lewiston, Maine on August 31st. We’ve been preparing for your arrival all summer long and are writing today with details on our approach to COVID-19 for the fall semester. It is important that you read the entirety of this message as there are things you need to know and do before you arrive on campus. The below plans have been developed in consultation with our advisors at the Mayo Clinic and our Medical…
Dear Students, We hope that you are having a good summer, with some time to relax and enjoy friends and family. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back to campus later this month. We are writing today with an update on our approach to COVID-19 for the fall semester. It is important that you read the entirety of this message as there are things you need to know and do before you return to campus. The below plans have been developed in consultation with our advisors at the Mayo Clinic…
Dear Colleagues, I hope you’re enjoying your summer and looking forward to welcoming students back to campus later this month. I am writing today with an update on Bates’ approach to COVID-19 for the fall semester. The below plans have been developed in consultation with our advisors at the Mayo Clinic. Masking Requirements Bates will be mask-optional in indoor and outdoor campus spaces for all students and employees. Masks are required in healthcare facilities on campus, including Bates Health Services, Bates Sports Medicine, and Counseling and Psychological Services. Members of…
Colleagues, What a remarkable start to the summer, with an amazing graduation weekend, and not one but two alumni reunions! Thank you to all the staff who made it possible by working long hours and managing changes on the fly in order to create an outstanding experience for all participants. As we move into the summer, we would like to call your attention to the following changes to the college’s COVID-19 policies. Effective today, June 13, Bates will return to mask-optional in indoor and outdoor campus spaces for all employees. …