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 in place for Fall 2022 and will also serve as a source for future updates.

Testing Before Move-In

In the interest of keeping our residence halls as healthy and safe as possible, residential students are strongly encouraged to self-test for COVID-19 before moving into their rooms. Students who test positive should follow the instructions outlined below.

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 generally required while on campus property, except in the following circumstances:

  • Individuals should wear a face mask when they feel sick until COVID-19 is ruled out and symptoms of illness have subsided.
  • Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must wear a mask for 10 days from the onset of symptoms (or the positive test, if asymptomatic). See the Isolation and Continued Masking section below for additional information.
  • Individuals who have been a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 must self-test five or more days after exposure and wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days from the date of exposure. For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was less than six feet away, for a combined total of 15 minutes or more, over a 24-hour period starting two days before the positive person took the initial test or developed symptoms.

Individuals should also keep a face mask on their possession at all times, 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 at their own discretion.

Testing
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Colby-Sawyer College will not conduct surveillance testing for COVID-19. All residential students will be provided two rapid tests at check-in at no cost and are encouraged to bring additional rapid tests to campus with them. Rapid tests will also be available for sale at The Stable, the college bookstore.

Students who experience symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are expected to self-test. Students who test positive for COVID-19 must notify Baird Health and Counseling at bhcc@colby-sawyer.edu.

Individuals who have been a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should self-test five or more days after exposure and wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days from the date of exposure.

All students should test before and after travel or when asked by a healthcare professional or public health official.

For more information on local testing resources visit: newlondonhospital.org/patients-visitors/covid-19-testing.

Isolation and Continued Masking

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:

  • Notify Baird Health and Counseling at bhcc@colby-sawyer.edu.
  • Go home, if possible, or stay in their residence hall room and away from others (including people in their household) for at least five days.
  • End isolation after day five if they test negative, are fever-free (off fever-reducing medications) for at least 24 hours and see an improvement in other symptoms. Through day 10, they must continue wearing a mask and avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease. They should also avoid travel.
  • Continue to isolate until after 10 days of isolation if a test at day five is positive, fever has been present in the prior 24 hours or other symptoms are not improving. Individuals still experiencing symptoms after day 10 should remain in isolation until they are symptom-free.
  • Notify their close contacts of the date that they initially tested positive, so contacts can test accordingly. For COVID-19, a close contact is anyone who was less than six feet away, for a combined total of 15 minutes or more, over a 24-hour period starting two days before the positive person took the initial test or developed symptoms.
Roommates

Roommates of students who are isolating on campus may request temporary accommodation in another location on campus while their roommate is in isolation by contacting Residential Education at residential@colby-sawyer.edu.

Academics

Students in isolation should contact their faculty to make arrangements to complete academic work they will miss. Arrangements will vary by course.

Meals

Residential students in isolation on campus should notify Parkhurst Dining at campusdining@colby-sawyer.edu. Parkhurst staff will provide information about ordering and obtaining meals during isolation.

Once ordered, meals can be picked up at the lower-level dining hall side entrance of the Ware Student Center (adjacent to the steps between Abbey Hall and Ware Student Center connecting the lower and upper campus). Meal delivery service to residence halls is not available.

Meal pick-up times are as follows:

  • Breakfast (between 8 am and 8:30 am)
  • Lunch (between noon and 12:30 pm)
  • Dinner (between 5 pm and 5:30 pm)

Please ensure you wear a well-fitting face mask and limit contact with other people when picking up your meals.

Medical Support

Individuals who require medical care because they are experiencing symptoms should contact Baird Health and Counseling (students) or their primary care physician (employees).

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. They are 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.

For more information about COVID-19-related testing, masking and isolation, visit the CDC website.