Dear Adelphi Community,
As we near the conclusion of the fall semester and the end of 2021, many are wondering: What can we expect as we go into the new year and the Spring 2022 semester?
While we are cautiously optimistic, the impact of holiday gatherings on the regional COVID-19 infection rate has yet to be determined and the newly discovered coronavirus variant, Omicron, highlights that we are confronting an ever-changing situation.
On Friday, December 17, from 12:00 noon to 12:45 p.m., we will host a lunch-and-learn Zoom webinar, “Understanding Omicron,” during which K.C. Rondello, MD, University epidemiologist and clinical associate professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health, will present an expert, objective report on the newly identified coronavirus variant. All Adelphi community members are invited to listen in; register in advance to receive the Zoom link.
Providing that the public health situation allows, we look forward to a full return to pre-pandemic teaching and learning modalities in Spring 2022. Programs that have traditionally been offered in person will be offered this way again. We will also continue to offer some classes in online and hybrid formats, which have proven both effective and popular. Students should plan and be prepared to take courses in the modalities in which they are offered.
Current Successes and Status
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, our University will remain compliant with all New York state (NYS) and Nassau County guidance for preventing and reducing the spread of the virus. We are adhering to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and utilizing best practices and recommendations developed by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) in New York in collaboration with a public health consultant. These ongoing measures include wearing masks while indoors, daily health check screening prior to arriving on campus and social distancing when possible.
Thanks to the cooperation of our community members—students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus—in abiding by our on-campus COVID-19 health and safety protocols throughout the fall, we have been able to keep our COVID-19 positivity rate at an average of 0.1 percent, well below that of the surrounding community and region. We safely and successfully returned many on-campus meetings and events to in-person participation, with the support and guidance of our University Health and Wellness team, including our fantastic student health and wellness ambassadors.
Don’t Forget!
We appreciate all community members continuing to complete the daily health screening via the mobile app prior to arriving on campus, and alerting Adelphi Health Services at healthservicescenter@adelphi.edu or 516.877.6000 if you discover you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Remember:
- Get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you haven’t already done so.
- Get your COVID-19 booster dose as advised by the CDC; Pfizer booster vaccines are available for free on campus.
- Get vaccinated against the flu, also available for free on campus; call 516.877.6000 to schedule an appointment.
- Practice recommended safety protocols and follow all local health department guidance if you are traveling.
Our University Health and Wellness team is happy to answer any additional questions you may have, and we will continue to share regular updates with you via email and online.
Sincerely,
Gene Palma
Vice President of University Wellness, Safety and Administration