COVID-19 Safety Commitment

Since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, college leaders have collaborated to develop plans that allow our students to learn together safely and responsibly on campus. This webpage outlines the policies and procedures put in place for summer 2022 and should also serve as a source for future updates.

Vaccination

While Colby-Sawyer College strongly encourages members of the campus community to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination series, compliance will not be mandated.

Face Masks

Face masks are not required while on campus property (see exception below).

Individuals should keep a face mask on their possession at all times, however, as professors and/or departments may request their usage at their own discretion. Similarly, individuals are encouraged to wear a face mask on a voluntary basis when ill, or otherwise, at their own discretion.

Testing

Colby-Sawyer College will not conduct testing for COVID-19. Individuals seeking testing for COVID-19 should consult their primary care physician or local pharmacy. For more information on local testing resources visit: newlondonhospital.org/patients-visitors/covid-19-testing.

Isolation

Special isolation accommodations will not be provided for individuals who test positive for COVID-19. Students who test positive for COVID-19 are expected to:

  • Go home, if possible, or stay in your residence hall room and away from others (including people in your household) for at least 5 days.
  • Isolation can end after day 5 if you are fever-free (off fever-reducing medications) for at least 24 hours and other symptoms are improving.
  • If fever has been present in the prior 24 hours, or if other symptoms are not improving, then you should continue to isolate until fever free and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours, or until after 10 days of isolation.
  • Notify your close contacts of when you initially tested positive, so they can test accordingly. For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was less than 6 feet away from you for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting two days before your took your initial test or developed symptoms.
  • For 10 days:
    • Wear a well-fitting face mask when around other people.
    • Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease.
    • Avoid travel, if possible.

Note: per CDC guidance, you can take an antigen test on day 5 before ending isolation and, if positive, you should continue to isolate for a total of 10 days. Individuals and businesses/organizations can consider but do not have to adopt this testing strategy.

Meals

College food service is not available to summer residents. Students should seek alternative food delivery options like Hannaford To Go hannaford.com/hannaford-to-go while in isolation or quarantine.

Medical support

Baird Health & Counseling Center (BHCC) is closed from May-August; however, there are off-campus resources available to students.

New London Hospital is located at 273 County Rd in New London and has 24-hour emergency services. New London Hospital also offers Express Care which provides medical care for emergency medical conditions on an urgent basis without requiring an appointment. Located on the first floor at the back of the main entrance to the hospital, Express Care has its own designated entrance, parking and registration. Open seven days a week: Weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Campus Safety is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week at 603-526-3300.