Messages from President Long

Warrior Family,

With the Thanksgiving holiday just days away, I want to tell you how thankful I am for our campus community; together we have made our return to campus this semester successful. I know we are all eager to enjoy the holiday with our loved ones, as many of us were unable to do last year. To have a safe holiday gathering and final few weeks of the semester, we must continue to be vigilant in protecting ourselves and one another because, unfortunately, COIVD-19 numbers here in Pennsylvania and throughout the region are once again on the rise.

As we approach the start of the holiday season, there will be many invitations to gather with family and friends but unlike pre-pandemic years, we implore that you do so with safety and health in mind. Please be reminded of the following holiday guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination, such as young children, by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
• Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings if you are not fully vaccinated.
  
  • Even those who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in public indoor settings in communities with substantial to high transmission.
  • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
  • If you are sick or have symptoms, don’t host or attend a gathering.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
• If you are traveling, visit the CDC’s Travel page for information that will help keep you and your family safe.

It is important that we take every precaution to keep ourselves and our families and friends safe during this holiday season. It is also important that we return to campus safely on Monday, November 29 and close out this semester with the same diligence to our health and safety that we have had since we all came back together in August. All unvaccinated students living in campus housing or participating in discretionary activities will be required to be tested for COVID-19 immediately upon returning to campus; additional details will be provided by the Student Health Center.

Thank you, again, for making our fall semester a success. We could not have accomplished this feat without each and every one of you doing your part.

Kenneth Long
Interim President