Ice rink now open; New CDC guidance on effective masking

bryant.edu/reopening Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 We are excited to have Bryant students back on campus for the spring semester. After our first few days of in-person classes and residential life, our full population COVID-19 surveillance testing shows a low rate of positivity. This is due to everyone’s collective commitment to keeping our community healthy and strong. We will resume data publication next Friday, representing seven days of full population testing. While our first week has gone well and given us a strong foundation, the next few weeks are critical if Bryant is to avoid the experience of many other college campuses. Some universities have already eclipsed their fall COVID-19 case totals and had cases escalate in their second and third weeks of students back on campus that has jeopardized their entire spring semester. We are proud that Bryant students continue to demonstrate the leadership and loyalty that sets them apart. We know we can stay together and have a rewarding and productive semester if we all work together. This includes using the Health Checker app to screen symptoms, wearing two face masks as possible so the double layer provides extra protection, and keeping a minimum of 6-foot social distance. Experience shows that even small gatherings are unsafe. Do not participate in social gatherings beyond those you live with, and use the RAVE Guardian app to report inappropriate gatherings. We have done it before, so let’s do it again this spring! Monday Classes Bryant’s compressed academic calendar includes classes on Monday, Feb. 15. The COVID-19 surveillance testing clinic in the MAC will be open regular hours, 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., on Monday. New CDC Guidance on Effective Masking Face masks have proven to be among the very effective ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, and this week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance on what makes some face coverings more effective than others. A cloth mask can be layered on top of a medical procedure mask, forming a “double mask” for improved fit and filtration. Learn more New Zoom Backgrounds to Show Your Bryant Spirit Bryant University is fortunate to have a spacious 435-acre campus that positions us well for our return to classes on campus this spring. Our pristine learning environment, ranked by College Consensus as one of the country’s top 20 most beautiful colleges in autumn, is stunning every season of the year. Our new Zoom backgrounds capture the scenery of winter in New England. Ice Rink Now Open We are pleased to announce that the ice rink, located just outside the Chace Athletic Center, opened today. The rink is available for all Bryant University students, faculty and staff with Bryant I.D. Skate Center Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: Noon – 3 p.m.; 6 – 9 p.m. Masks are required and we ask all participants to observe all social distancing. Skates are available at no cost and can be checked out at the control desk in the lobby of the Chace Athletic Center. An I.D. will be required for complimentary skate rentals and all participants will be responsible for returning equipment. Due to space limitations, reservations must be made in advance by visiting BryantBulldogs.com/reservation in one-hour time slots. The ice rink, including lighting and related items, has been made possible through the generosity of Marion and Frank Hauck ’81. R.I. Vaccine Distribution Many members of the Bryant community are eager for information regarding vaccine distribution. The R.I. Department of Health has announced its preliminary plan and schedule for the safe and effective distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Rhode Island. For Bryant reopening questions, please email reopening@bryant.edu

Share this email: Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™ Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails. View this email online. 1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield, RI | 02910 US This email was sent to . To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.

Subscribe to our email list.