Dear Bereans,

This is the update for Monday, May 10, 2021.

Quarantine, testing and vaccination update

The good news continues!  I am pleased to announce that at this point we have only two in-person students in precautionary quarantine because of approved travel, and that there continue to be no positive tests or quarantines among our on-campus employees.  Well done, Bereans!

Kentucky and Madison County update

The Madison County Health Department reported 11, 1, 5, and 6 new cases for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and yesterday.  The number of current active cases is at 83.  Our 7-day average of new cases per day remains at 9, keeping us in the Yellow Zonenow at 8.1 new cases per day per 100,000 residents.  The total number of deaths in the county attributable to COVID-19 as reported by the State remains at 109.

Gov. Beshear reported 638, 544, 195, and 167 new COVID-19 cases and 10, 18, 8, and 9 new deaths for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and today, respectively, in Kentucky.  The 7-day average of the number of new cases/day is down a bit at 523 and the average of numbers of deaths/day has increased to 10.  The latest test positivity rate is down a bit at 3.25%.

A Message to Graduating Seniors

No one needs to remind you that these past 14 months have been very challenging.  You have persisted, however, and now you are about to graduate from Berea College.  Congratulations!

We have some news that surely will be welcome.

As a result of the pandemic’s effect on Americans, the federal government has appropriated funds for college students, and Berea is allocating a portion of these funds to all graduating seniors to help you establish financial independence as you launch your life as an alumna or alumnus of Berea College.  Typically, seniors will receive $300 from stimulus funds, plus up to $550, depending upon your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  Grant support from an anonymous funder makes it possible for each graduating senior to receive an additional $500 to support your post-graduation endeavors.

We urge you to use these funds in the spirit in which they were intended, such as moving expenses, deposits on an apartment, fees for graduate or professional school, or expenses associated with a job search.  The funds also give you an opportunity for good financial practice—opening your own banking accounts, establishing a good credit history through a credit card, and launching a positive record as a renter or tenant or utilities customer.

These are your funds for your next chapter in life, and again, they come with all the very best wishes of Berea’s faculty and staff, who will always be cheering you on.

Vaccination policy at other colleges and universities:

As of today, the Chronicle of Higher Education lists 319 schools that will require vaccination in the fall, a large increase since last week.  I am also pleased to note that a second Kentucky college has announced, Union College in Barbourville in Knox County.

Stay safe, stay negative, stay in touch,
Lyle Roelofs, President
Berea College