COVID-19 Response Plan
Updated January 15, 2021
Preparing for fall semester 2020 and beyond
Cornell College has identified a phased plan that specifies our pandemic preparedness on campus for the 2020-2021 academic year.
We are currently in Phase 2.5, which allows for students in residence under heightened protocols, campus offices are open with some staff working remotely, and modified campus visits for families of four or less. See the phased plan details. Each phase is dictated by guidance from health officials in the state of Iowa and Linn County and the level of implementation of campus safety measures.
We realize you might have questions about how this works. We've prepared resources to answer those questions.
Tracking COVID-19 on campus
A Cornell College data team, comprised of faculty, staff, and student researchers gather data on our campus testing results and statistics in the community around us to determine how our campus will respond to the ever-changing conditions of this pandemic. You can find additional details about that in our FAQ and in this news story. We test individuals from our entire campus community who are physically on campus multiple times per week and update our testing numbers on our testing dashboard on Tuesdays and Fridays after we complete our randomized and stratified testing days on campus.
Class of 2020 celebrations
- Our virtual commencement ceremony was held on May 17, 2020: watch the live stream video recording.
- We were pretty excited about the lead up to the virtual ceremony: watch the video.
- In-person commencement will be planned when conditions allow for large gatherings.
Communications with the college community
- In May we announced a series of plans to extend our academic calendar to help make Cornellians' education disruption proof. It's not our first time around the block, and we're ready to make this year the best ever for our students.
- In Blocks 3 & 4 as the colder weather and fatigue with the pandemic set in, we experienced a brief spike in positivity rate on campus; due to that we increased campus restrictions and as we start Block 5 we continue to offer specific guidelines for what is required under those restrictions.
- Recording of our August 5 Q&A Webinar for returning students (addresses many questions about data, testing, residence hall life, dining, and academics.)
- Recording of July 14 Q&A Webinar with students and parents. (addresses questions about returning for fall, our plan for testing and contact tracing, student life, safety precautions, and Caring Community expectations.)
- Transcript of our March 18 phone cast with parents and families.
Questions
If you have questions for the college related to our COVID-19 response, please email COVID-19response@cornellcollege.edu and we will follow up with you during regular business hours.