The end of semester is upon us, which means it’s time to celebrate! However, let’s make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth and successful finish during these final weeks.
Our IC community has made great strides in our ability to limit the impact of COVID-19 on our beautiful South Hill campus this spring. Our diligence and commitment to good public health practices has allowed us to successfully remain in green: low-risk operating status in our continued efforts to return to the full vibrancy of the campus life experience. It is so critically important that we don’t stop practicing the healthy habits that have allowed us to reach this point. As we enter this celebratory season, keep the following in mind to put your best foot forward in helping to create a healthy and happy conclusion to the 2021-22 academic year.
- Wash hands regularly.
- Distance yourself from those who are experiencing symptoms.
- Wear a mask. Particularly if you are participating in a large gathering where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Pay attention to how you are feeling and monitor any symptoms you may be experiencing.
With final exams just over a week away, the importance of getting proper rest and nutrition cannot be understated. Not only are these factors important for performing your best, but also help your body to ward off illness. Managing your sleep schedule, staying hydrated, and fueling your body with healthy nutritious foods are preventative measures you can take to help your body maintain its full strength for the weeks ahead and potentially avoid contracting or experiencing severe symptoms because of a communicable disease like COVID-19.
What to do if you are experiencing symptoms:
- Avoid having close contact with others.
- If you need to be in contact with others always wear a mask.
- Get tested for COVID and other communicable diseases.
- Practice social distancing.
- Cover your nose and mouth when coughing/sneezing.
- Distance yourself from others when coughing and sneezing.
As students are entering finals and graduation season, we want to promote the practice of important sanitation and healthy habits to ensure that illness does not interfere with finals, graduation, and students returning home. With the end of the academic year approaching many students will be leaving Ithaca and returning to their homes and their loved ones who may be at risk. Additionally, there are many members of our IC community that have immunocompromised health conditions that place them at elevated risk. We want to encourage students to take all the precautions necessary to prevent them from contracting and spreading communicable diseases that they could potentially spread to an at-risk loved one.
We recognize that the end of the semester is a time of celebration. We encourage everyone to celebrate, while keeping these health tips in mind. When hosting or attending end of the semester events, attempt to limit gatherings to individuals in your bomber bubble. If you are experiencing active symptoms of illness, make the responsible choice by not attending an event where you could spread an illness to peers and loved ones.
Remember that there are resources on campus for students who are feeling ill. Emerson Residence Hall will continue to operate as Ithaca College’s symptomatic testing and isolation location throughout the remainder of the academic year and Commencement week. This location continues to be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for walk-in rapid COVID-19 tests with results available in 15 minutes. The Hammond Health Center is also open for pre-scheduled appointment Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for any students who seek medical evaluation.
Have a great rest of the semester and stay healthy! Go Bombers!
Sincerely,
Jaeda Curtis
Student Health Emergency Liaison