Simpson College is currently in Phase Yellow
August 9, 2021 (10:41 a.m. Central Time)
Dear Simpson College students, faculty and staff:
Due to the spike in the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, we will re-instate mandatory masking for all individuals inside college buildings beginning Tuesday, Aug. 10. To align with updated CDC guidance, this mandate applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status. We will keep our masks on through Sept. 10, at which time we will re-evaluate our on-campus vaccination levels and the transmission rate of our surrounding region.
Visit simpson.edu/covid19-plan for updated phase and plan information.
Our priority continues to be protecting our entire campus community. The most effective way to do that is to raise our vaccination rate. To date, the vaccination rate among full-time students is 50%. The vaccination rate for full-time faculty and staff is more than 80%.
Last spring, we set a goal of reaching an 80% vaccination rate as a campus. While we may not reach that goal, we can still make sure this year looks nothing like last year. Reaching a 60% vaccination rate means we can remain in the Yellow Operating phase. We can get back to doing the things we love, the things that make Simpson special. We will just have to gather with our masks on for the time being.
In order to get to that level, we need everyone’s help. Here’s what you can do:
Submit your vaccination status
Future decisions regarding our response to the ever-changing nature of the pandemic will be dependent upon accurate data. If you’ve received the vaccine and haven’t reported your status, please email a photo of your vaccine card to the appropriate contact. Students, send your photo to healthservices@simpson.edu. Faculty and staff, send your photo to mimi.bartley@simpson.edu. If you’re not comfortable sending your information via email, you can present your card in-person.
Get vaccinated
Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations and death. If you haven’t received the vaccine but plan to, you have a few options.
1. Visit Vaccines.gov to find vaccination providers near you.
2. Plan to attend Simpson’s COVID-19 Vaccine clinic Sunday, Aug. 29 from 2:15-3:15 p.m. in Hopper Gym. We’ll provide additional details regarding the vaccine clinic as they become available.
If you don’t plan to receive the vaccine, please consider the benefits to both yourself and the greater community.
Get the vaccine – win some green
Need another reason to get vaccinated? Students who have turned in their vaccine information are eligible to win a $200 cash prize. Beginning the first week of classes, we’ll announce five winners per week for 10 weeks. The sooner you submit your information, the better your chances of winning.
Together, we can do this
Last year, we came together as ONESimpson. We looked out for each other, protected each other and made decisions that contributed to the greater good. Because of that selflessness, we remained on campus for the entire year.
If we all continue to do our part, we can do even better this year.
Best,
Heidi Levine, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Development and Planning
Chair, Crisis Management Team