December 10, 2021 – Important Campus COVID-19 Update

Dear Whitman community,

This is not an email I wanted to be writing so close to the end of what has been an otherwise encouraging semester, but in the past two weeks the COVID situation at Whitman has gone in a significantly worrisome direction. 

Since returning from Thanksgiving break, seven students have tested positive for COVID-19. We know that five of these cases were linked, marking the first time this fall that we have confirmed on-campus transmission of the virus, and we are highly concerned that there may be additional close contact cases identified in the days before break as the three most recent cases all participated in a large, unmasked student gathering in a residence hall room.

It is more important than ever that we continue to follow all our campus COVID-19 protocols, especially the proper wearing of face masks, which significantly reduces the risk of spreading coronavirus. We have received many reports the past few weeks that people are growing lax in wearing their masks and so we remind you that per our campus guidelines and state regulations you are required to wear a face mask over your nose and mouth whenever you are in any public place or in the presence of anyone who is not your roommate/household member. This includes:

• When exercising in BFFC and other athletic facilities
• In Reid, the library and other study spaces
• At off-campus parties
• In the classroom and labs
• When hanging out in residence hall lounges and rooms
• Working in shared office spaces

If you are sitting in Reid nursing a coffee while you study with friends for an hour, remove your mask to take a sip and then put it right back on until you are ready for another drink. If you are spectating at an indoor athletic event such as this weekend’s basketball tournament, you must wear your mask at all times, even while cheering on our nationally ranked women’s team. If you are in a residence hall room with anyone other than your roommate, you must wear a mask. These things may seem obvious but the fact is that we see evidence and hear many reports that all around campus masks are being worn beneath noses, pulled below the chin or are completely off for extended periods of time, and this is highly risky behavior that contributes to the spread of COVID-19.

We know that COVID fatigue is taking its toll on all of us as we near the end of a second year dominated by the pandemic. But we cannot let this weariness turn into apathy, because that puts our entire community at risk. This final week of classes, please protect yourself and the campus community by properly wearing your mask. And as you leave for break, keep following all the COVID protective measures so that we can all return to Whitman for a healthy, in-person spring semester. 

Be safe,
Peter Harvey
Chair, Coronavirus Task Force