COVID-19 Information

From Chief of Staff Adelia Thompson emailed to faculty and staff.

Dear Colleagues,

The response to COVID–19 continues to unfold on our campus, in our community and on campuses across the Commonwealth. I want to take a moment to update you on where things stand for the Christopher Newport family, highlighting changes and noting important events.

First, we told you we would review the indoor mask requirement by Sept. 15 with a hope of lifting it for those who are fully vaccinated. Unfortunately, it’s abundantly clear that it would be unwise to do that right now. Our case numbers on campus are inching up and Newport News continues to see a surge in delta variant cases. In fact, the number of hospitalizations locally - especially for younger people, under the age of 40 - continues to be of great concern for our friends at Riverside Health System and for the other major health care providers in our area. We will review the policy again just before Family Weekend and the 60th Anniversary events on Oct. 1.

We want to offer clarification around the protocols when a student or employee contracts the virus or may have been exposed:

• The first important step is to do your daily CampusClear. If you are not “all clear,” that sends a signal to our community tracing teams and they in turn begin their work to determine if you need to quarantine, need to be tested, or are cleared to come to campus.
• You may also follow the instructions at the bottom of this page on our website about reporting potential cases and exposures.
• Finally, Provost Doughty will be sending along a document that answers faculty questions about community tracing, quarantine, isolation and testing for students prepared by our faculty representative on the Strike Force, Dr. Jana Adamitis, in collaboration with faculty leadership, the Provost’s Office, the Director of Emergency Management and Student Affairs. We believe it will be helpful for all of us to know how our faculty work daily, in person, in all kinds of teaching and instructional settings, as they are mindful of the virus and how they manage their interaction with students while continuing to deliver the best educational experience.

The faculty and staff testing clinic is underway. We have contracted with a company from Northern Virginia who is administering the tests twice a week for this semester. This clinic is for those who are not fully vaccinated and by appointment only. However, there may be times where appointments come available for those who are fully vaccinated and would like to receive a test. Please contact Tamika Jasper at tamika.jasper@cnu.edu to check availability.

Students are directed to the testing facility if they are not fully vaccinated; tests are by appointment only. Those students experiencing symptoms may be administered a test through the Student Health Clinic after a telehealth appointment with a member of the clinic staff.

Now some important good news:

• The Ferguson Center has been named the “Best Music Venue” by Virginia Living Magazine! Congratulations to Bruce Bronstein and his marvelous team at the Ferg. And that’s a reminder to all of us to take advantage of the special ticket credit that was extended to faculty and staff during President Trible’s speech on August 18. For directions on how to use your credit, just click here.
• Staying with the Ferguson for just a moment … As President Trible announced, vocal superstar Josh Groban opens the season on September 29. With the variant surge, we were concerned that the artist might decide to postpone, but instead, the show will go on as planned – the Groban tour is simply requiring some additional protocols for patrons: masks, and proof of vaccination or clear test within 48 hours of showtime. If you are among the lucky ticket holders, check-in details will be forthcoming.

Even as we continue to respond to the changes that COVID imposes, we should celebrate all the good that has been achieved in this semester so far. Our case numbers are low, our classes are in person, our dining halls and student activities are humming and our arts groups and athletics teams are up and running. This delta variant will pass but we must mitigate risk by monitoring symptoms closely, wearing masks, practicing proper hand hygiene, physical distancing and avoiding large social gatherings. Thank you for remaining flexible, patient, good humored and diligent with the necessary steps we all have to continue taking to protect each other and those we love.