Dear Bereans,
This is the campus update for Tuesday, December 14, 2021. I realize that I had announced that there would not be regular updates during Break, but there are some important announcements to share and a correction to the dates included in the last update.
We also know that many Bereans are very concerned about the horrendous tornadoes and storms that occurred late last week in Western Kentucky and wondering how they might be able to assist.
Also employees will receive another message from me later in the day providing a progress report on the AC’s work on flexible and hybrid work options.
Storms in western Kentucky
You have all seen the awful news coming out of Mayfield and other areas in western Kentucky and contiguous states regarding the terrible destruction caused by an outbreak of tornadoes.
We have been checking on students from that part of our region, and at this point are glad to be able to report that we have not found that any students or family members have lost their lives or been seriously injured. Sadly, we have determined that the family home of our of our students was destroyed by one of the tornadoes and we are endeavoring to assist as we are able.
Of course, so many other fellow citizens have lost loved ones and their homes, and we also desire to assist these persons. Based on experience in a similar outbreak in Alabama some years ago, we believe that the best way for individuals to assist in general is to provide financial support.
Gov. Beshear in his update in regard to the state’s efforts to respond to the tornado damage announced a website for people to donate money towards tornado relief in those areas. We are encouraging anyone in our campus community that would like to donate, to go to this site and do so. If you wish to indicate that you are contributing as part of the Berea College support effort, you can so indicate in the box provided for “Fundraising Event”, by entering “Berea College” in that field. Let’s all help as we are able!
Celebration of Mid-year Graduates
As announced a celebrated the mid-year graduates last Saturday. Although we were all a bit unsettled by the sad news from the western part of our state regarding the storms and tornadoes, it still was a thrill to celebrate with about 80 graduates and their family and friends, our first gathering for a commencement celebration in a little more than two years! The celebration concluded singing the alma mater led by the faculty members of the Music department
Adjustment to academic calendar for Spring 2022
Earlier we had indicated that the Administrative Committee was considering adjustments to the academic calendar for Spring 2022 in light of the concerns around the emergence of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Aware that changing the schedule would be a complicated matter for many persons, we have been following the emerging medical indications regarding this new concern, hoping that a change will not be necessary. At this point, just two weeks beyond its emergence, there is evidence that omicron, while very contagious, does not necessarily lead to COVID-19 cases as severe as does delta. Furthermore, Pfizer has announced preliminary indications that vaccination with a booster is likely to offer strong protection against the new variant.
Following these preliminary indications, the AC has decided NOT to make adjustments for the spring 2022 calendar. Rather, we will be strongly promoting that all members of the community receive the booster as soon as they become eligible and will rely on stringent testing to limit the possibility of introducing the disease on campus at the start of the semester and following Spring Break.
White House Clinic will be offering booster clinics for students immediately after the start of the Spring semester. Any student whose last vaccination was 6 months or longer ago should plan to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 and having to quarantine during the semester. The clinic will be at the WHC office in St. Joe’s hospital all day on Monday Jan. 10 and will be on a walk-in basis. No reservations are necessary.
All employees are strongly recommended as well to seek the booster as soon as eligible. Shots are free and readily available at the various providers including Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, etc. This will be of great help in limiting outbreaks on campus in the coming term.
Kentucky and Madison County update
Madison County had a total of 457 new cases for the week ending Sunday, so that the seasonal increase, mostly due to the delta variant seems to be continuing. The current number of new cases per day is 65, which keeps us in the Red zone. We have had seven more deaths in the county in the last week, which brings the total to 207. The vaccination rate in the County is 49.1% another increase by 0.5%.
Kentucky reported 15,588 new cases for the week ending yesterday for an averageof 2,227 cases/day. The Commonwealth has reported 373 deaths over the last week for an average number of deaths/day of 53. Both numbers are virtually flat from last week, but the latter included some extra unreported cases from the prior (Thanksgiving) week, so the real increases are continuing in our state. The test positivity rate is still increasing and is now 8.78%.
Stay safe, get vaccinated and boosted, stay in touch,
Lyle Roelofs, President
Berea College
A date correction
Two alert Bereans noted that I had reported our dates incorrectly—please see the corrections below.
- On March 10 17, 2020, Berea College announced it was closing for in-person classes and residential housing effective at the end of the day on March 13 20, 2020.