One Year Mark, Vaccine Readiness, Ongoing COVID-19 Precautions

Dear Students,

I hope you’re all finding some time to rest and rejuvenate this month. I have been reflecting on our community’s resilience as we reach the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 changing our daily lives here at Columbia and around the globe. 

While the pandemic has affected everyone, some have been impacted more than others. Many of us have lost community members; others among us have lost loved ones. If you’re interested in gathering with others to acknowledge the one year anniversary, here are some Day of Remembrance events. Columbia Health and Student Health on Haven have a number of resources to help students deal with stress, anxiety, and other concerns due to COVID-19, including crisis help, mindfulness resources, caring for children, free virtual experiences, staying physically active and nutrition.

Invitation to Participate in Vaccine Readiness Survey
Please complete a brief 5-minute survey about your interest in vaccination - it is anonymous and confidential. Your response is important, and will help inform the University's planning efforts as eligibility guidelines evolve.

Ongoing COVID-19 Precautions
You may be aware that New York State recently loosened some restrictions. Columbia's events policy has not changed. Additionally, gatherings - formal or informal - remain limited to fewer than 10 people. Our travel policy remains in place as well: all non-emergency travel is strongly discouraged.

University public health experts reiterate that it is vital for faculty, staff and students to maintain these precautions in order to keep our communities - including neighborhoods surrounding our campuses - safe. These measures have kept Columbia’s transmission and infection rates low thus far. COVID-19 still presents a very real threat and this is not the time to risk putting our efforts in jeopardy.

Importance of Random Sampling and Ongoing Surveillance Testing Program
Another important way to keep our community healthy is by complying with the University’s COVID-19 ongoing surveillance testing program. As you know, regular testing is a key safety measure and there are no exemptions to this policy, including those who have already been vaccinated.

Please let me know at [email protected] if any of the information here brings up questions or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you and wish you a pleasant rest of your week.

Take care,

Joseph Defraine Greenwell, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Office of University Life
Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His

Connect with me: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
Connect with University Life: universitylife.columbia.edu | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube