Prioritizing Your Safety and Preparing for the Future
This information is archived as of July 23, 2021, and is saved here for reference. See latest health information.
Oct. 2, 2020
Dear Central family,
It’s been about seven months since COVID-19 started altering our lives, and more than a month since we returned to campus for in-person instruction.
In that time, we’ve focused on offering the safest learning experience possible, and the campus community has worked to be diligent. Thanks to the hard work of everyone, Central’s COVID-19 impact has been minimal. However, we must remain vigilant.
Residence Hall Changes
As a result of student efforts and Central’s low COVID-19 effects, this week we announced plans to move to a slightly more open guest policy in residential buildings. Details about the changes can be found here. Thank you for your cooperation and ongoing caution, which made this possible. As with all planning around the pandemic, the new protocols can be restricted or expanded at any time as conditions at Central and/or the Pella community change.
Quarantine Questions
The Iowa Department of Public Health has changed its guidance on quarantine for people exposed to someone who has a positive case of COVID-19 if both people were wearing a facial covering. The state policy decision is intended for non-health care and non-residential settings.
Because we are a residential community, Central’s protocols on quarantine remain unchanged.
If we make any changes, we will notify you immediately. In the meantime, please continue to wear masks and follow Central’s quarantine and isolation protocols. They are working and allowing us to remain on campus for in-person learning.
Registration
Registration for Spring 2021 starts Nov. 2. Please contact your advisor to schedule an advising/registration meeting.
Semester Plans
At this time, we plan to follow the normal academic calendar for the remainder of the fall semester. We continue to monitor and will make adjustments and provide timely communication as needed.
Athletics
Modified scheduling concepts for Central’s four postponed fall sports — football, men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball — are in the works for the spring. In addition, we plan to launch a modified winter sports season after Jan. 1. It is our hope that we can provide some competition opportunities for student-athletes and do so in a safe and responsible manner.
Stay Judicious
I continue to be grateful for caring attitudes, testing and cooperation with the Marion County Public Health Department, emphasis on wearing face coverings and physical distancing, and the work by many on our campus who support students in isolation and quarantine. Let’s stay judicious so that we can manage control of COVID-19. Your efforts allow us to able to continue to offer in-person teaching, which is so much better than being at home learning remotely!
All the best,
Mark