It’s hard to believe we are already in October and three weeks into the fall term.
The semester is off to a good start and we are pleased with how the different course modalities are being received. It is wonderful to see our community utilizing our libraries, computer spaces and common areas while adhering to socially distanced guidelines. Just this week, New York City allowed indoor dining at 25 percent and I’m looking forward to grabbing a bite to eat at the Herald Square Café on my next visit. Our facilities team continues to update signage across the campuses and has equipped all classrooms with a supply of disinfectant wipes to use on high touch surfaces.
While Mercy had already been maintaining its own dashboard of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on its website, New York State recently mandated that all colleges and universities provide details of COVID-19 to a daily COVID Report Card. This dashboard provides important information about testing, current cases and total cases at all New York State higher education institutions. In addition, the State has recently launched a new contact tracing app called COVID Alert NY. This free app utilizes Bluetooth technology to track a user’s proximity to the phones of others who have downloaded the app. It provides exposure notifications if a user has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. The app also provides information on quarantining and testing. Click here for more information.
All students who arrived from states on the New York State travel advisory list are now out of quarantine and the confirmed residential student cases I mentioned in my last update are either out of quarantine or will be shortly. I am thankful that everyone is getting the proper care and support from our dedicated Mercy staff. Please respect the privacy of anyone who tests positive to allow them to focus on their health. Please remember that our OnCampus Plus reopening website is continuously updated with recent communications and Frequently Asked Questions.
Lastly, I would like to let you know that the latest issue of Maverick Magazine, showcasing how our students, faculty, staff and alumni have responded to the pandemic, is available. Click here to read the magazine.
Of Note . . .
We want to remind everyone about the MavCare Pledge, which requires social distancing and wearing a mask – doing so shows respect for your fellow Mavs and will help ensure that we can remain open for in-person courses. Please view the video below to see how the Mercy community is taking the pledge to take care of one another and ourselves.