Student Life Communications
Thursday, January 11, 2023
Dear Reed Community,
Happy New Year! To those of you on break, we have missed you and are so excited to have you back on campus with your vibrant energy and enthusiasm—and in the best of health. To those of you who have remained on campus, thank you for your dedication and exuberance. We have been continuously impressed with the community of care and compassion here at Reed amongst the students, their families, our faculty, and our staff.
We have been fortunate. Thanks to your vigilance and health-promoting routines last semester, we avoided a tripledemic surge (COVID, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Many of you have traveled far and wide this break, and we want to support your individual and our collective health on campus.
Our Recommendations
1. Pre-Travel Home Test: Test before you depart home to know of your COVID health status. Do not travel if you are positive for COVID. If you test positive and you are a student, please inform the Health and Counseling Center through the secure health portal or by calling 503-777-7281 to speak to a nurse. Faculty and staff should inform Human Resources by emailing hr@reed.edu. This process ensures our reporting obligations to the county are met and provides support for any questions you have about returning after an exposure or a positive test. Our isolation protocols remain the same this semester—refer to the FAQ.
For our international students, there is a new/renewed requirement to show proof of a negative COVID test for travelers from some countries.
2. Face Coverings: We welcome your choice to wear a face covering for the first ten days upon return from break, especially if you have any respiratory symptoms (congestion, cough, or runny nose) and to maintain our community health.
3. Vaccines: Flu shots and COVID boosters are optional. They are widely available at local pharmacies and still available for students at the HCC (503-777-7281).
4. Well-Being: Optimize your mental well-being and by moving 30-60 minutes daily; your physical well-being impacts your mental health. Faculty and staff can join in these programs.
We wish you all safe travels back to us. May you return restored, rejuvenated, and ready to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our campus. We know our connection with each other and with our unique landscape here at Reed College nourishes us all. We look forward to a robust and rewarding semester that includes a shared commitment that we thrive together.
In Gratitude, Be Well,
Karnell McConnell-Black, Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Life
Yasodha Gopal, M.D.
Associate Dean for Health & Well-Being
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Student Life Office
Reed College
503-517-7396 | Eliot 218
www.reed.edu/student-life/