Dear students, staff, and faculty,This week, as we have kept an eye on COVID numbers in Kent County and on Calvin’s campus, we are heartened by what we are seeing.

Because of this downward trend, starting on Monday, March 14, our current masks-optional policy will extend to all academic settings, including classrooms and labs (note: professors will continue to have the option to require masks in their classrooms and labs for the remainder of the semester).

As of Monday, March 14, masks will be optional everywhere on campus with the exception of these locations (in accordance with external guidance for medical/clinical spaces):

  • Center for Counseling and Wellness
  • SPAUD clinic
  • Health Services
  • Sports Medicine facilities

REPORTING SYMPTOMS

Please note that symptom-reporting and testing remain important parts of our mitigation efforts. In addition, we appreciate and rely on the data we continue to receive as part of our ongoing wastewater testing program, run in conjunction with Grand Valley State University.

Please, continue to monitor your symptoms and report them using #CampusClear or the Health Services portal.

See https://calvin.edu/covid-response/campusclear/

See http://calvin.medicatconnect.com

As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we encourage you not to discount symptoms. Use #CampusClear, follow the advice of campus care providers, and seek out testing to rule out COVID. This is critically important. And if you have not yet been vaccinated, Calvin continues to offer first and second doses of the vaccine, as well as the booster, through Health Services.

MASKS, PLEXIGLASS BARRIERS, SIGNS ON CAMPUS

The COVID Response Team is fully supportive of those on our campus who feel more comfortable continuing to mask, and we encourage people to take advantage of the KN95 and N95 masks we have available for students, staff, and faculty. Contact jambrose@calvin.edu for a mask and advice on fit and proper wear.

At the start of the pandemic, plexiglass barriers were installed in numerous locations across campus to aid in mitigation efforts. At this point in our collective pandemic response efforts, we want to empower employees to determine how best to utilize the plexiglass barriers. Those who would like to continue to use the plexiglass barriers are welcome to do so. Employees who would like to remove the plexiglass barrier from their workplace are also permitted to do so at this time.We intend to practice good stewardship and retain the plexiglass barriers and components for future use. If you choose to remove a plexiglass barrier on your own, please place it in a secure location in your workspace and submit a work order for Facilities to pick it up.

You may also put in a work order with Facilities to request their assistance in removing the plexiglass barrier(s) from your workspace (note: please exercise patience as Facilities staff work to respond to increased work order requests).

In addition, over the course of the next few days, pandemic-related signage on campus (e.g., mask requirements, etc.) will be replaced with new signs that indicate the transition to a masks-optional approach.

As we look toward the finish of the 2021-2022 school year, we are grateful to the Calvin community for the substantial and ongoing efforts that have allowed us to safely work and live together this year, accomplishing the tasks God placed before us with dedication and determination. We are eager to complete this school year with a continued sense of care for ourselves and for each other, staying #CalvinStrong for these final few weeks together.

The Covid Response Team (responseteam@calvin.edu)  

Jennifer AmbroseEric ArnoysLaura ChampionBear de Boo (Student representative)Phil de HaanTodd DornbosKari DykhouseAndy GeorgeBrian PaigeJane PrinsSarah Visser, chairJohn WitteCindy Wolffis