Dear Andover,
As we approach the second half of fall term, our COVID testing and vaccination rates have moved us into the “green zone” lowest transmission risk level for the upcoming week. It is important to note that the risk zones may change week to week, and data will continue to guide our decision-making. As we plan for the weeks ahead, including Family Weekend this weekend, we will continue our multi-layered risk mitigation protocols, including hand hygiene, sanitization and disinfection, ventilation and air filtration, and symptom monitoring.
In terms of changes to campus life, we are considering increasing off-campus permissions (especially noting that Family Weekend is a long weekend), allowing dorm visitation, and moving to mask-optional in some additional indoor spaces.
Here is an overview of what green zone (lowest transmission risk) entails:
Thresholds
- Zero COVID-19 cases diagnosed in any campus community member in the previous 7 days, and no evidence of community spread
- 95% or greater vaccination against COVID-19 (we are at 97% of employees and 99.2% of students)
Protecting high-risk individuals: Anyone who has personal, familial, or household medical vulnerabilities is encouraged to mask. Unvaccinated adults will continue to test twice weekly on campus.
COVID-19 testing: We will increase campus testing for all students to closely monitor for any increase in COVID-19 in our campus community. Upcoming testing dates for all students are: October 21, 28 and November 1.
Masking
Classrooms and Dormitories: Masking will be optional in these spaces. Community members will continue to mask for a wide range of reasons. At their discretion, teachers, house counselors, and staff members may ask students to mask. Students should be prepared to mask.
Larger common spaces: Masks will continue to be required in Cochran Chapel during ASM, Kemper Auditorium during faculty meeting, Sykes Wellness Center, Addison Gallery, Harrison and Gurry rinks (in public spaces in the rink). In the OWHL, students should mask when working with adults at the Circulation desks and in classroom spaces.
Other spaces on campus: Masks will be optional for students in other indoors campus spaces including Paresky Commons.
Adults: All unvaccinated adults in the community must continue to wear masks indoors. A reminder that many members of the community will choose to continue wearing masks regardless of their vaccination status.
Off-campus permissions
Fully vaccinated students will be allowed to leave campus according to pre-pandemic permissions. Students who are not fully vaccinated will be allowed to go to downtown Andover. We ask that everyone continue to mask in indoor spaces when off campus. Students with overnight permissions will not need to check back into Sykes Wellness Center since testing will occur regularly for all students.
- Overnight permissions: Fully vaccinated boarding students will use the REACH system to request and receive overnight permissions. For long weekends (like the upcoming one) students need to submit REACH requests by Wednesday evening.
- Day excuses: Fully vaccinated boarding students will request and receive permissions for day excuses from their house counselors and/or cluster deans.
- Driving/Riding permissions: Fully vaccinated students will request and receive permissions for driving and riding permissions IF they have received stickers from the Dean of Students office from faculty members.
Dining
Paresky Commons will fully reopen, including the addition of the salad and sandwich bars. Children/dependents of faculty who are not yet vaccine-eligible may dine in Paresky. The green container program in Susie’s has ended, and we opened Susie’s for students on Friday, October 15. Senior Tea will be moved into the Underwood Room as of Monday, October 18.
Dorm Visiting
Once dormitory and advising groups have been able to discuss expectations for dorm visiting in common spaces, fully vaccinated boarding and day students may visit peers in dormitory common spaces. Any visitor to a dormitory must honor sign in/sign out expectations.
Guests/Visitors
We ask that visitors to campus continue to mask at all times in indoor spaces. This includes all academic buildings, athletic buildings, dorms, the Sykes Wellness Center, and the Addison Gallery.
We appreciate everyone committing to the health and safety of all of our community members by complying with and supporting our campus protocols.
Thank you,
Jenny Karlen Elliott ’94, P’22, ‘24
Assistant Head of School for Residential Life and Dean of Students
Dr. Amy Patel
Medical Director