Week of April 26, 2021
Important Vaccine Information
Sent: April 28, 2021
To the Dickinson community:
We are asking all Dickinson employees to complete this confidential survey to determine how many members of our community have been vaccinated and/or have plans for vaccination. We will use this information as the college considers health and safety guidelines for the fall semester. Please take a moment to complete this brief survey as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Margee M. Ensign
President
Weekly COVID-19 Update
Sent: April 30, 2021
To the Dickinson community:
It is hard to believe that we have just one more week of classes in the spring semester! As we prepare to finish strong and launch our seniors into the wider world with a variety of celebrations, planning is underway for next semester.
Pennsylvania is considered a relative hotspot for COVID-19, and Cumberland County is still experiencing substantial spread. Please continue with the precautions you have been following to protect yourself and all those around you.
As I have said previously, we expect a full return to campus in the fall. We will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all students living on campus, unless a student seeks a religious or medical exception. Vaccinated students will not need to participate in regular surveillance testing this fall.
Students who have been fully vaccinated can upload their vaccination card to their patient portal or email it to health@dickinson.edu. Employees can upload their vaccine documentation here or bring their card to ATS for assistance. Employees who have not already done so should fill out this confidential survey.
While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has eased mask mandates in some situationsfor fully vaccinated individuals, masking is still required in all public areas of campus. We continue with this precaution because we are unable to determine who has and has not been vaccinated in all situations and we must continue to protect the health and safety of our community. We regularly review our health and safety requirements as the CDC and state Department of Health update their guidance.
Consistent with requiring the vaccine for the fall semester, the college will also ask summer resident students to get their final COVID-19 shot or seek an exemption through the Wellness Center by no later than June 15, 2021. In addition, the vaccination requirement applies to all students studying abroad or off-campus for the fall semester. CGSE will be following up to provide additional information and vaccination deadlines.
COVID-19 testing
Even if you have been fully vaccinated, ongoing testing is currently still required. Students on campus should continue to report for their regular testing through May 18. Faculty and staff will receive information about testing schedules for the summer.
Summer Classes
We are offering a variety of summer classes, information about which can be found here. Most are being offered remotely. It's important to note that U.S. students experiencing hardships from COVID-19 and with a valid FAFSA on file with Dickinson will be able to apply for additional funding to assist with summer school expenses through the third Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund once it becomes available. The Department of Education has not yet given a timeline for this aid. The deadline to register for Dickinson classes is Monday, May 3.
Please continue to avoid crowds, wear a mask, stay physically distant from others and wash hands regularly. These basic steps work, and they will help you and those around you. Thank you for your support throughout this challenge, and good luck with the final days of the semester.
Sincerely,
Margee M. Ensign
President