Dear Colleagues,

A Challenge

As we enter the last two weeks before students arrive on campus, we need to ensure that as a faculty and staff we exhibit the behaviors that have been shown to be effective mitigators of virus transmitters – namely face coverings and distancing. While we focus on the Bates campus, these simple measures are important in all of our circles and communities.  Hence tonight’s challenge: when you arrive on campus this week, wear your face covering more than you think is warranted. Wash your hands a little longer than you think is reasonable. Give a little more space than your eye suggests is six feet. These practices will serve us well in our worlds outside of Bates, further lower risk for our colleagues on campus, and prepare ourselves to lead by example when students are on campus. Let’s keep rising to meet the challenge!

A few reminders on testing:

• Employees must sign the consent form prior to testing. It is available on the Garnet Gateway; managers may reach out to HR for paper or translated copies for their staff.
• Baseline testing will be available on August 18, 19, and 20; Scheduling information is forthcoming. If you are not on campus any of those days do not feel compelled to come to campus.
• Ongoing testing will begin August 31 and will run through Thanksgiving; last week’s survey surfaced questions about how consistently an employee is encouraged to be tested: we fully expect schedules and on-campus activity to change, and individual testing frequency can and should change accordingly.
• Thanks to those that completed the survey last week. Please note that your answers did not commit you to specific days or times for testing. The results are helping us determine how best to make the testing center available to all employees.

Many thanks,
Geoff