Dear Bereans,
This is the campus update for Tuesday, August 9, 2022. There was little to report last week, but there are some significant developments to make you aware of now.
Quarantine update
As of yesterday, we have only one on-campus student in quarantine; many students have left campus, of course, at the end of the second summer term. Most of our incoming international students have arrived and are quarantining. Among on-campus employees, we have a total of five Bereans quarantining, and one employee who works remotely. The on-campus Bereans who have tested positive work in the following buildings/areas: Facilities; Marketing; Woods Penn; Forestry; Fairchild; and the MAC Building.
Kentucky update
The number of new reported cases in the Commonwealth is basically unchanged from two weeks ago: 15652 vs. 15,884 for two weeks ago. We may have reached a plateau for the summer, and the level is still far below the earlier surges, where the state had upwards of 10,000 new cases every day. The test positivity rate for the past week was 18.41%, down marginally from 19.1% two weeks ago. The number of deaths in the state has increased a bit from two weeks ago to 67; it was 59 two weeks ago.
COVID-19 Community Level
Madison County continues to be in the “Red” designation, as are all the surrounding counties.
The CDC level and guidance for these levels can be found here. The main difference between the CDC recommendations for the “Red” and “Yellow” levels is that indoor masking in congregate settings is mandatory for “Red” while it is only recommended for “Yellow” and discretionary for “Green.” While we are in the Red designation, we will continue with the campus masking policy, announced two weeks ago.
Overall, state-wide, there appears to be some improvement. Two weeks ago, no Kentucky counties were in Green. As of last Friday, nine are in Green.
Masking policy
The increased case rate in our area has compelled the Administrative Committee to consider our masking policy again. The CDC guidance for the “Red” level is as follows.
| HIGH | |
| Vaccination | Stay up to date with vaccinations |
| Mask use | Wear well-fitting masks in all indoor public settings, including K-12 schools |
| Isolation & Quarantine | Stay home when sick.
Follow isolation & quarantine guidance, including getting tested if exposed or have symptoms of COVID-19 |
| Physical distancing | Limit indoor in-person gatherings and reduce size of gatherings. Encourage physical distancing. |
| High risk persons | Consider avoiding non-essential indoor public activities. Talk to healthcare provider about preventative treatments. |
Consistent with CDC guidance, we will continue to require masking in all indoor congregate settings, with the same exceptions we allowed last year, i.e., in dining settings and, for students, when in their room in their residence hall. Likewise, employees do not have to wear a mask if they are alone in a room.
As to the other guidance, we are also mandating the requirements listed for Isolation and Quarantine. Employees should test when experiencing symptoms and, if positive, report to HealthyAtWork@Berea.edu and their supervisor, quarantine at home, and follow all isolation and quarantine recommendations. Students experiencing symptoms should report to White House Clinic for a test and follow the direction of Student Life, if positive.
As to the Physical Distancing guidelines, we urge all Bereans to do what is possible to comply but are not mandating any actions.
Testing policy for returning and newly arriving students
Since it is important to minimize the likelihood of COVID outbreaks on campus—a serious outbreak, after all, could threaten our ability to operate—students are required to test negative for COVID 24 hours before returning to campus. Once on campus, we will return to the protocol of testing only if one experiences symptoms.
We have lately learned that federal and state funding for testing is running out, and that students are encountering challenges in obtaining affordable testing opportunities. The Administrative Committee has therefore decided that “home tests” will be acceptable for establishing COVID status. These are much more affordable and are readily available at retail stores and drug stores. There are even free tests available on order from the U.S. Postal Service (https://www.covid.gov/tests), but if you wish to get a free test, you should order early, since orders may take some time to fulfill. We will operate on the honor system here. Each student is expected to test in the 24 hours before leaving for Berea and come to campus only if receiving a negative result. We know that every Berean wants the term to be successful and will do one’s part to assist.
Students testing positive are required to submit photographic evidence to the Labor Program Office at the following link so that their faculty and labor supervisors can be notified of the delay in their arrival. Students testing positive should quarantine at home or wherever residing and will receive guidance from the College on duration of quarantine. (Please monitor for symptoms as well and seek medical care in the case of serious illness.)
After completing quarantine, the student should retest. Upon receiving a negative result, the student should again submit photographic evidence using the above link and plan to return to campus as soon as possible, using the link to notify the Labor Program Office and Student Life of arrival plans. We are hoping that for these students, a short delay in coming to campus will not negatively affect their academic program. Remote instruction will NOT be offered, although faculty may be able to provide some materials and/or suggest some activities to students missing the first couple of days of class. Students for whom missing some labor time due to a positive COVID test would be a financial hardship are encouraged to discuss their situation with the Student Financial Aid Office.
Flood impact update
In my first statement on the flooding situation in eastern Kentucky, I neglected to mention the serious impact experienced by many College Partners for Education employees who live and work in the affected area. I have since written to all those employees to apologize for that oversight and to express our concern for them and desire to assist as we are able.
At this point we know that four PFE employees have suffered very serious damage or complete loss of their homes, and, of course, loss to other property as well. We are relieved that everyone is safe, however. Knowing that many Bereans will want to be helpful to fellow employees in this situation, we will be setting up a fund in collaboration with PFE for donations to support them. We are setting this up in a way that the gifts to the employees involved will not have to be considered taxable income, and we are also endeavoring not to affect eligibility for FEMA relief. These gifts, since they are destined for individuals, not tax-exempt organizations, CANNOT be tax deductible for the donor. More information will be sent as soon as these donations may be made.
We also know that a number of Berea students and their families were impacted, and we offered them the opportunity to return early to campus. To their credit, all are choosing to stay and help their families and neighbors with the recovery process. We have also invited students whose families have significant needs to be in touch with the President’s Office. (Actually, you can just email me at RoelofsL@berea.edu.) We have a variety of sources of aid that can be accessed.
The extended families and loved ones of quite a number of College employees have also been impacted, and those without close connections simply want to help, meaning that Bereans are stepping up to assist as they are able. The Administrative Committee has decided that any employees may request two additional vacation days in order to participate in flood relief activities anytime during the months of August and September. Please report such requests to the vice president with whom you work and your direct supervisor. Please consult with the latter on when to use these days without impacting the necessary work that needs to happen on campus. Employees can choose the pay code “Emergency closure pay” when recording their time.
Several organizations with which we have close connections have also been very seriously impacted, notably Appalshop in Whitesburg, Hindman Settlement School in Hindman, and the Appalachian Artisan Center also in Hindman. A number of Bereans have already made their way to these organizations and pitched in to the work of recovery. We will also be looking for ways to support these organizations financially with resources to which the College has access. Meanwhile, the Loyal Jones Appalachian Center, CELTS and the Campus Christian Center will be working to organize the efforts of students who would like to provide volunteer service. Bereans interested may contact Chris Green, Ashley Cochrane, or Rev. LeSette Wright. The Appalachian Center, as staffing resources allow, is also working with employees wishing to volunteer. In addition, it may be helpful to read this information from the Kentucky Emergency Management Agency.
Finally, although the details will not be set for a couple of days, still, the Administrative Committee is also exploring other means by which the College can provide significant assistance to the people and organizations impacted by this catastrophe.
There are many challenges and dangers abroad; please be safe and help one another as you are able.
Lyle Roelofs, President
Berea College