Hello, Beloiters!

We are exactly five days away from the beginning of 2021 Commencement festivities. Congratulations to all our graduating seniors! And congratulations to our entire community. We. Did. It! We stayed safe, we practiced “self-care is community care,” and we completed an entire academic year. On campus, in person. Well done. You have all set an example and we couldn’t be prouder of you.

This is our last weekly update on COVID-19 in our community this semester. We will begin to publish the newsletter again in mid-July, as our return to campus for the upcoming academic year gets closer.

COVID-19 infections dip in Rock and Winnebago counties

Cases of COVID-19have decreased significantly in both Rock and Winnebago counties over the past week. Rock County recorded a daily average of 13 new cases per 100,000, a 13 percent decrease from the 15 average new daily cases per 100,000 recorded the week before. Winnebago County recorded a daily average of 14 new cases per 100,000, down 36 percent from 22 per 100,000 last week.

According to theWisconsin Department of Health Services,47 percent of Wisconsin’s population has received at least one dose of the vaccine, and 41 percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated. Across the country, 61.3 percent of adults over 18 have received at least one shot, while nearly 50 percent are fully vaccinated, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.President Joe Biden has set a target of 70 percent of the country receiving at least one shot by July 4.

Beloit will require all students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated this fall

The way we return to a more normal on-campus experience is to require all Beloit College students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated. Our goal is to have nearly all of the community vaccinated by the fall to allow us to resume many of the activities we routinely pursued prior to the pandemic, and do so safely.

学生、教师和工作人员不需要穿masks or be regularly tested if they have been vaccinated, nor will they have to quarantine if contact tracing shows they have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, as long as they are asymptomatic. Anyone who exhibits symptoms of the virus also will have to be tested.

Students should send their proof of vaccination toTara Girard. Faculty and staff should send their proof of vaccination toHeather McLeanorTerri Dahl. Proof of vaccination or a negative test result must be shared before students will be allowed to move into on-campus housing.

We understand that some individuals will not be able to get the vaccine due to medical or religious reasons, or strong philosophical objections. Students with questions about exemptions should contact the Health and Wellness Center and employees should contact Human Resources.

Unvaccinated members of our community will need to attend regular testing, quarantine if designated a close contact of a positive case, wear masks, and follow physical distancing guidelines. Students with questions about exemptions should contact the Health and Wellness Center and employees should contact Human Resources.

因为它从一开始就做了大流行,the COVID-19 Task Force will closely monitor regional, national, and international developments, in addition to CDC recommendations, in order to evolve our policies and ensure the health and safety of our campus.

We will continue to work individually with those students who are unable to get to campus because of travel or visa restrictions, or other personal concerns, to allow them to remain enrolled at Beloit. A subcommittee of the COVID-19 Task Force specifically dedicated to issues facing international students is considering access to courses, housing, travel, and vaccinations, as well as lobbying our representatives to free up VISA requirements to ease travel to the U.S. for an education.

Later this summer, we will institute a process for all students to be vaccinated upon arrival if they have been unable to obtain vaccinations before arriving.

Question of the Week

Question

What if I am unable to get the COVID-19 vaccine due to medical or other reasons?

Answer

We understand that some individuals will not be able to get the vaccine due to medical or religious reasons, or strong philosophical objections. Students with questions about exemptions should contact the Health and Wellness Center and employees should contact Human Resources.

If you have not done so yet, please share your vaccination status with eitherTara Girard(students) orHeather McLeanorTerri Dahl(faculty and staff) so that we may get a fuller picture of our campus status.

Photo(s) of the Week

Congratulations to Amber-Rose Vanasse, the 2021 winner of the Bill Behling Prize. Amber was presented with the award today at a special recognition ceremony. According to her nominators, “Amber is very professional and is always ready to get right to work and also send some cheer to everyone. She is such a positive influence to everyone she meets here at the Beloit College Campus.”

The prize is named for Bill Behling, who directed Beloit’s campus food services for more than 20 years, and became known as “The Food Dude” for spreading his good humor and good will to the campus community.

Amber hearing her name announced as the 2021 Bill Behling Prize, and below with retired Beloit staff member Chris Behling. Chris is a member of the selection committee and is Bill Behling’s widow.

Be well and enjoy your summer!
The COVID-19 Task Force