Preparing for the break
Today an email went out to students about how to prepare for the departure on November 24th (residence halls close at 5 pm). You can read the full message here. There are some key points to draw your attention to in this message:
Staying safe before you go home: “The most effective way to protect the health and safety of family and friends is to reduce the likelihood that you become exposed to or infected with COVID-19. We recommend limiting social interaction for 14 days before traveling to reduce the risk of exposure.”
Pre-departure testing options: “Wake Forest will offer tests on campus at no charge to students on November 16 and, if demand warrants, November 17 at our testing site. The number of testing appointments will be limited, and you must register no later than November 9 to reserve a spot. On November 12, registered students will receive a link to reserve a testing time….Be aware: if you test positive, you will be required to cooperate with contact tracing and to complete a 10-day period of isolation, and you will be restricted from using public transportation during this time.”
Quarantine and isolation: “If you have been instructed to quarantine or placed in isolation by Student Health Service or another medical provider, the Department of Health and Human Services prohibits you from using public transportation (planes, trains, shuttles, buses or Uber/Lyft) until you have been formally released from quarantine or isolation. If driving or using other forms of private transportation, limit stops during travel to obtain gas and food/hydration, and avoid entering any public spaces to reduce the risk of exposing others.”
Gatherings at home: “Particularly during the holidays it will be tempting to let these precautions lapse. Remember that time spent in close proximity to others in enclosed spaces, like a kitchen or family room, and close proximity to others over a meal are high-risk situations.”
Because the message contains important info, it was sent to all undergraduate parents and families. As with all campuswide emails, we archived it on our Family News page.
For those of you who need to come to campus to bring your student home at the break, you will need to print out this gate pass and display it on your dashboard so you can access campus. Note that this is only valid for coming to collect your student at the break (campus is still only open to students, faculty, and staff for normal daily operations). Also please remember that only students are allowed in the residence halls. Your student can bring their luggage or other bags out of the residence hall so you can help load it in your car. More info on the end of the semester to come as we get more details.
Several of you commented on the lovely fall pictures from the other day. Good news for you: our Ken Bennett has made a photostory about the fall colors on campus. It’s really stunning. Enjoy.
— by Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)