Anne Ehrlich, Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students, and Jen Lucas, Executive Director, Human Resources Office, explain the College’s response to new Centers for Disease Control guidance.
Dear Members of the Gettysburg College Community,
As many of you have seen, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidance on Tuesday, including an adjustment to its masking recommendation as concerns over the Delta variant continue to grow. The CDC now recommends that people in areas with high or substantial COVID-19 transmission resume masking indoors in public areas.
Upon the arrival of our students next month, Gettysburg College will have achieved a 91% or higher vaccination rate on campus. We are proud of how our students and employees have rallied to combat the spread of the virus. Indeed, we remain confident—thanks in large measure to our significant vaccination rate—that our community will experience a far more traditional semester this fall than in the prior 17 months.
At this juncture, Gettysburg College is not changing its current masking policy. Unvaccinated students and employees will continue to mask inside our campus facilities, while vaccinated students and employees are not required to mask.
The College will continue to closely monitor the Delta variant and its impact in and around Adams County. Please note that depending on how this situation develops, we may be forced to reassess the College’s guidelines related to masking or other health and safety protocols.
Next week, the College will share a communication with families outlining our fall semester plans, including guidance for students who are vaccinated, as well as those who received a College exemption. As students prepare for Move-In, we ask—regardless of their vaccination status—that they bring a number of masks with them, particularly if the College must change its masking policy at a later date.
One final reminder: please remember that there are many reasons why a student or employee may choose to wear a mask. Simply because an individual is masking, does not mean that he or she is unvaccinated. Likewise, simply because an individual is unvaccinated, does not mean that he or she does not support community health. There are countless reasons for our community members to arrive at these important decisions. Let’s continue to respect and support one another as fellow Gettysburgians, now and in the semester ahead.
Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and flexibility during these challenging times. We look forward to connecting with you next week regarding our fall semester plans.
Sincerely,
Anne Ehrlich
Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students
Jen Lucas
Executive Director, Human Resources Office