‘Consistently Low Case Count’ Leads to More Opportunities for Campus Engagement
(Photo Allyson Frantz/The Gettysburgian)
By Jane Fitzpatrick and Anna Cincotta
On March 16, President Bob Iuliano sent an email to the campus community announcing a return to various campus traditions and activities due to low COVID-19 case numbers.
“As of today, we have zero positive cases among all Gettysburg College students tested on campus, and we have not had multiple positive tests in a week since February 17,” said Iuliano. “I cannot overstate what a significant accomplishment this is, and how proud I am of every single one of you.”
Ultimately, the college was in a position to invite every student back to campus this spring. 1,400 students are currently studying residentially.
Upcoming events include Servo Thanksgiving, which will be held on April 13 with both dine-in and to-go options, and International Food Fest, which is scheduled to take place outdoors on April 23.
In his update, Iuliano also noted that the official opening day for spring sports is scheduled for Saturday, March 20. The Centennial Conference Presidents Council endorsed a plan for intercollegiate competition for the spring semester, and with the help of Keeling and Associates — a higher education consulting firm assisting the college — teams will be permitted to practice and compete while abiding by a set of health and safety guidelines. No in-person spectators will be permitted to attend any games, matches, or meets due to new Conference rules, but they will be live-streamed.
The message to the campus community indicated that the recent additions of outdoor seating, fire pits, and string lights are meant to encourage safe social opportunities for members of the student body on campus. These updates, along with the tents located throughout the campus grounds, will allow for small group gatherings and more outdoor classroom spaces that will start being used on March 22. The changes will stay in place provided that the number of positive COVID-19 cases on campus remains low.
The President shared his hope that students currently studying remotely will remain engaged in the campus community as well.
“As I have shared on many occasions, we are at our best when we are benefitting from the participation of each of our members,” he wrote.
