Dear Bereans,

This is the update for Tuesday, August 30, 2022.

Donation account for Berea colleagues

Several Partners for Education staff members were directly affected by the flooding in eastern Kentucky.  The damage to the homes, vehicles, and other property of our colleagues was significant, with some experiencing a near total loss of their home and possessions.  If you would like to help these Bereans directly, please visit this link and look for the “Eastern Kentucky Flood Fund” button.  Individuals can make donations up to $5,000 via this site.  If anyone wants to make a donation greater than $5,000, please contact Penny Jordan at jordanp@berea.edu or (859) 985-2602 for a check or ACH donation.  While these donations are not tax-deductible, they will provide much-needed support to these individuals and their families.

Employees are also reminded that everyone is permitted up to two additional vacation days through the end of September in order to engage in flood relief work; I have heard that a number of Bereans have already done that.  Thanks so very much!

Quarantine update

As of yesterday, we have four students in quarantine having tested positive, two on campus and two at their homes. We have a total of 3 on-campus employees quarantining with positive tests and 5 positive employees who work remotely.  The on-campus Bereans who have tested positive work in the following buildings/areas: Lincoln Hall, Stephenson Hall and Fairchild.

Kentucky update

The number of new reported cases in the Commonwealth continues to hover in the 12,000 to 14,000 per week range:  14,312 vs.12,381 last week, vs.14,409 the week before.  That is about 2000 new cases per day.  The test positivity rate remains very high; for the past week it was 20.07% compared to 18.96% last week.  The number of deaths in the state is holding steady, in the 60 to 70 range per week (i.e., about 10/day) in the Commonwealth.

COVID-19 Community Level

Madison County’s COVID community level remains in the “Yellow” designation, and our neighboring counties, Jackson, Rockcastle and Estill, are in “Yellow,” too.  Overall, we seem to be in a bit of a holding pattern state-wide.

Change in masking policy

Based on the above information, the AC has decided that we can lift the requirement for masking in indoor congregate settings, returning to the policy that was in effect at the end of last term.  At this point indoor masking will be required only for mass gatherings of 50 or more.  As before, faculty and labor supervisors are authorized to establish masking requirements in spaces they are responsible for.  This policy change is effective tomorrow, Wednesday, August 31.

Some students have been required to mask in all settings thanks to exemptions and other aspects of their particular status.  These requirements will continue until further notice.

Lyle Roelofs, President
Berea College