Return to Campus
This information is archived as of July 23, 2021, and is saved here for reference. See latest health information.
Sept. 4, 2020
Dear Central community,
For the past week and a half, I’ve been smiling broadly under my mask. It has been delightful to welcome students — you — back to campus for in-person learning. We’ve had a successful start to the academic year in and out of the classroom and during Move-In Day and Welcome Week.
I was recently talking to a friend of mine — a high school junior in Iowa — who this year is taking classes both online and in-person to meet guidelines for physical distancing at his school. All of his extracurricular activities for the fall have been canceled. When asked how he felt about the way he would be learning this year, he responded simply: “This is what we have to do to get to the other side of the pandemic. It’s not my first choice but it’s what I gotta do. I’ll adapt.”
For many years — long before the pandemic started — I have talked about how a liberal arts education prepares students for adaptation. While this is not the experience we all want (not our first choice!), I have faith our success in this space will serve as a bedrock for developing well-rounded citizen leaders who will adapt to a changing world and find solutions to emerging challenges in the workplace, local communities and society as a whole.
For now, the view is certainly one of disruption and adapting to that disruption. As a community, we will need to continue to adapt in new and unprecedented ways for the foreseeable future so that we may continue to enjoy the benefits of a Central educational experience.
Here are some things we are currently doing to adapt in an effort to get to the other side of this pandemic.
Point Person
Charlie Strey, dean of students, is running point for the college on the health of the campus community. All students, faculty and staff who believe they have COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19, are asked to contact Charlie at 641-628-5621. He will help coordinate care for students and give guidance to everyone for next steps. For example, if someone has been exposed to or developed symptoms for the virus and needs to quarantine for 14 days, Charlie will provide consultation, housing, meals and help get students to a testing site and provide direction. He’ll also provide support for taking courses remotely or working from home for that duration.
What It Means to Be Exposed
Many of you have asked what does exposure to COVID-19 mean? According to public health experts, exposure occurs when you have been within close contact (6 feet) for at least 15 minutes with or without a mask OR physically touching/kissing someone who has tested positive. Quarantine is required if you are exposed. As an ongoing resource, I invite you to see a list of definitions on our COVID-19 response website. This list is helpful to understanding the nuances of public health information.
The Marion County Public Health Department will do contract tracing for cases in Pella. The staff at public health also will notify those who have been exposed to someone who has a confirmed case. (And if you get that call, as per above, please reach out to Charlie Strey.)
We have started publishing a dashboard of confirmed cases and exposed cases on our website, which we will update weekly. We will continue to monitor this information and based on public health recommendations and science-based decision making, determine if the college needs to adjust the delivery of academic programs, student life or athletics.
Masks! Masks! Masks!
I wanted to clarify our expectations about masks. Out of respect for the health of all, masks are required in indoor public and shared spaces. Masks also are required outdoors when 6-foot physical distances cannot be maintained.
Masks are not necessary in reasonably private spaces. What does that mean?
- For Central’s faculty and staff, an example is when alone in your office with the door closed.
- For students, in the residence hall rooms if both roommates agree and the door is closed.
- For everyone, it means in private spaces where 6-foot distances are possible.
These are merely examples. The evidence is growing that mask wearing protects those around you and reduces the chance that you’ll get infected yourself. At the end of the day, when in doubt about when to mask up, because it really is difficult to define every scenario, have a heart for others and minimize the risk of you or anyone being affected by COVID-19 and wear a mask.
We know masks drive down infection rates. If we all continue to wear masks and practice physical distancing as much as possible — no matter if we are on campus or elsewhere — it will make a significant difference.
Everyone on campus already should have received two masks as well as a shield if requested. If you did not receive these, please contact Charlie Strey. I’m also pleased to report that 32 alumni and friends of the college have made masks for students — enough for us to provide one to every student. In the very near future, the masks will be delivered with love to your campus mailbox, including a note indicating who made your mask.
Having Fun
We’re doing all we can to provide alternatives for safe interactions. This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some great lower-risk (and often delicious) activities you can do while practicing physical distancing:
- Join the Flying Pans Steel Band.
- Attend the Taquiza Monday event outside of Maytag on Labor Day. The Taquero will be coming from Des Moines and will be serving tacos al pastor. Sign up here!
- Enjoy a game of Grocery Bingo from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the Wallace Spencer Stepenske Amphitheater.
- Enjoy a treat from Scratch Cupcakery when it arrives on campus during Homecoming Week, the week of Sept. 21. Look for details about Homecoming events for students in the weeks to come.
We’d like you to consider remaining on campus during the Labor Day weekend. Student development has lots of fun activities planned (check out signs around campus as well as in The Crier for details). Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus advisor, has been encouraging people not to gather in large groups over the holiday weekend to prevent another surge of the virus. She also has been urging college students to stay on their campuses to avoid potentially bringing the virus home to friends and family. Likewise, we’re encouraging you to avoid higher-risk locations — like visiting other colleges and universities.
Thank You
I’ve been encouraged by the efforts of everyone to engage with each other and enjoy college life, while also being mindful about masks, physical distancing and other safety recommendations. That’s our new normal right now.
Diligence is crucial for us all. According to national data, at least 8,700 cases of COVID-19 have been reported at colleges across the United States. Let’s continue to rally together and do all we can to safeguard the health of our community within the kindness and culture that makes Central so special.
Yours in health,
Mark