Health Information

Sustaining a Healthy Community

Check this page for developments and decisions on how Central College is responding to the health of the campus community.

Information on these pages is subject to change. We will continue to adapt and employ appropriate modifications dependent on different settings and conditions across campus. Information will be communicated to campus and external attendees as appropriate for each situation.

May 3, 2021 — End of Semester Announcements

We made it!

The next few weeks will be packed as the end of the academic year nears. It’s the last week of classes. Tulip Time is this weekend. Finals begin next week. And the semester culminates with Commencement May 15.

I wanted to take a moment to congratulate and celebrate all of you for making this year one to remember. It’s because of you and your diligence and awareness of COVID-19 protocols that we were able to enjoy the full 2020-21 academic year on campus.

I was confident when we made the decision last summer to go with in-person classes that we could count on the Central community to make it possible. You did not disappoint. I am grateful to you and our many community partners for the immense team effort in working to support our presence on campus.

Tulip Time

After being canceled last year because of the pandemic, Pella’s annual Tulip Time festival returns. The 86th annual event is scheduled May 6-8. Things will look a bit different, of course, to keep guests as safe as possible. Food stands and vendors will be spaced out, enhanced sanitation stations will be provided and physical distancing will be encouraged. There will be new attractions, classic floats on display and pop-up happenings during the three days. Be safe and enjoy before starting finals!

Finals

Speaking of finals … the last day of classes for the spring semester is May 7, with finals scheduled for May 11-13. As always, the Monday following the last day of classes will serve as a college-wide study day. In addition, the Central tradition of Breakfast of Champions will return with adjustments keeping safety in mind.

Commencement

Commencement is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15, for the Class of 2021 at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium. Shannan Mattiace, a 1990 graduate of Central, will serve as our speaker.

Vaccinations

We were pleased to offer two vaccination clinics on campus this spring. With these and other clinics our community members attended, we estimate more than half of our population is vaccinated. Thank you for having a heart for others! If you have not already done so, we highly encourage all students, faculty and staff to get the vaccine before returning to campus in the fall. In addition, as you leave campus for the summer, we encourage all of you to remain cognizant of COVID-19 happenings.

Our hopes remain that we may return to normal activities — or as close to the old normal as possible — in the fall. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for guidelines and recommendations as we move through this transition. Over the summer as we get closer to move-in day, continue to watch for updates from us about processes and protocols for the fall semester.

Thank you again for all your hard work and dedication this academic year to ensure we maintained a healthy learning community.

Have a fantastic summer. I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Mark