Bard's COVID-19 Response
-
PRE-ARRIVAL COVID TESTING:
UPDATED 8/5/2020
Please have a test conducted within 5 days, ie.; 5 days or less, before coming to campus. This is defined as the date you move in to your dorm if you are living on campus. If you are living off campus, it will be 8/31 which is the official first day of classes. We cannot accept tests done prior to that time frame but this information is very useful to you so you know you are not positive.
For example: if you are due on campus 8/10, wewil accept tests done 8/5-8/9. If you submit one done 8/3 or earlier it will not be accepted. Please count back 5 days from your arrival date to identify your own window for testing.
Please note these time parameters refer to the day when you were tested (i.e; the swab was in your nose), not when the results were available.
Also, please note that Rapid Antigen tests and Antibody tests cannot be accepted as we are trying to identify current/ active infection. Only PCR tests meet the criteria set forth by our infectious disease consultants. This may be listed as SARS CoV2- NAA or SARS CoV2- PCR or RNA. If you are not able to get the correct test in the required time frame, or your result is delayed, you will be tested at Bard and will have to wait for our results to participate in person.
PLEASE EMAIL ALL RESULTS OF OFF CAMPUS/ PRE-ARRIVAL COVID-19 PCR TESTS TO:
covidclearance@bard.edu
Visit Bard's COVID-19 Response page to learn about changes in the College's services, policies, events, and plans for the future.
VISIT THE COVID-19 RESPONSE PAGE
Announcements
-
Jan15Friday, January 15, 2021
A Message about Operating as a Closed Campus, Pre- and Post-Arrival Testing, and Vaccine Guidance - Closed campus
- Pre- and post-arrival testing
- Vaccine guidance
-
Jan11Monday, January 11, 2021
A Message about Pre-arrival Testing, Vaccine Availability, and the Mandatory Daily Health Screening - Pre-arrival tests
- Vaccine availability
- Mandatory daily health screening
-
Jan06Wednesday, January 6, 2021
A Message about a Positive Case on Campus, Testing and Quarantine Requirements - Positive case on campus
- Return-to-campus testing
- Quarantine requirements
- Pre-arrival test: New York State requires each returning student to take a pre-arrival COVID test within three days before returning to campus. If you receive your test result before returning to Bard, you must submit it to covidclearance@bard.edu. PCR or rapid antigen tests are acceptable; antibody tests are not. If you do not receive your test result before returning to campus, you must be prepared to shelter in place upon arrival until you receive your result. This pre-arrival test requirement is for ALL STUDENTS, including those living locally off-campus. Arranging for and taking this pre-arrival test is the responsibility of each student. Under current New York State guidance, if you do not have a pre-arrival test, you cannot test out of mandatory 10-day quarantine. Any student unable to obtain a COVID test within the 3-day pre-arrival time frame must notify reslife@bard.edu in advance of arrival to update your quarantine status. To identify testing locations, please consult your doctor or the federal Department of Health and Human Services’ list of no-cost on-site testing by state.
- Post-arrival test: Each returning student will be required to take their second COVID test approximately four days after returning to campus. The College will schedule and administer this test to all students - whether they live on or off campus - via the same MIT/Broad Institute testing program that we used throughout the fall semester, and that typically delivers results in less than 24 hours.
-
Dec24
- COVID policies and protocols for Winter Break
- Planning for Citizen Science and the spring semester
- Testing and quarantine requirements for January return-to-campus
- January arrival dates
- Vaccines
- Pre-arrival test: Each returning student must take a pre-arrival COVID test within three days before returning to campus. If you receive your test result before returning to Bard, you must submit it to covidclearance@bard.edu. PCR or rapid tests are acceptable; positive antibody tests are not. If you do not receive your test result before returning, you must be prepared to shelter in place upon arrival at Bard until you receive your result. This pre-arrival test requirement is for ALL STUDENTS who are not staying on campus for Winter Break, including those living locally off-campus. Arranging for and taking this pre-arrival test is the responsibility of each student. Throughout your time away from Bard, and especially between the time of your pre-arrival test and arriving on campus, it is important that students adhere to safe behaviors: no large gatherings, wear a mask, and practice physical distancing.
- Post-arrival test: Each returning student will be required to take their second COVID test approximately four days after returning to campus. The College will schedule and administer this test to all students - whether they live on or off campus - via the same MIT/Broad Institute testing program that we used throughout the fall semester, and that typically delivers results in less than 24 hours.
- Early arrivals: pre-approved student workers, seniors, graduate students:
Monday, January 4 and Wednesday January 6 (9am-3pm)
All early arrivals MUST be pre-approved by Senior Project advisors, work supervisors or, in the case of graduate students, their program directors. These students also must observe the testing protocols listed above, and quarantine as necessary depending on where they are traveling from. If you intend to arrive early and have not already been in touch with your advisor, supervisor, or program director, please contact them as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.
- Students taking Citizen Science who are NOT required to quarantine:
Tuesday, January 12 (9am-3pm)
Students who spend the Winter Break in New York State or in a state that borders New York are not required to quarantine. These students must observe the testing requirements listed above, and refrain from group activities until receiving their test results.
- Students taking Citizen Science who are REQUIRED to quarantine:
Wednesday, January 13 (9am-3pm)
Students who spend the Winter Break anywhere other than New York State or a state bordering New York are REQUIRED to quarantine. These students also must observe the testing protocols listed above. Students who reside off campus must be prepared to quarantine in their off-campus residence.
- Students arriving from international destinations who live on campus:
Friday, January 15 (9am-3pm)
All students arriving from outside the United States are REQUIRED to quarantine. These students also must observe the testing protocols listed above.
- Upper College/new transfer/graduate students who live on campus and are REQUIRED to quarantine:
Friday, January 22 (9am-3pm)
Students who spend the Winter Break anywhere other than New York State or a state bordering New York are REQUIRED to quarantine. These students also must observe the testing protocols listed above.
- New transfer students who live on campus and do NOT need to quarantine:
Tuesday, January 26 (9am-3pm)
Under current guidance, students who spend the Winter Break in New York State or in a state that borders New York are not required to quarantine. These students must observe the testing requirements listed above, and refrain from group activities until receiving their test results.
- Upper College/new transfer/graduate students who live off campus:
January 27, 28, and 29 (9-3pm each day)
The Dean of Student Affairs office will send instructions in the coming days to students in this category, so they can sign up for a specific date & time to arrive on campus during this three-day check-in period. Off-campus students who are required to quarantine, including any students arriving from international destinations, must be prepared to do so in their off-campus residence.
- Upper College and graduate students who live on campus and do NOT need to quarantine:
Friday, January 29 (9am-3pm)
Students who spend the holiday break in New York State or in a state that borders New York are not required to quarantine. These students must observe the testing requirements listed above, and refrain from group activities until receiving their test results.
A Message about Operating as a Closed Campus, Pre- and Post-Arrival Testing, and Vaccine Guidance
Friday, January 15, 2021A COVID-19 Update
Topics in this update:To the Bard College community,
With Citizen Science now underway, we want to remind everyone that Montgomery Place and all campus facilities are closed to public access until further notice. In light of rising cases regionally and nationwide, access to the campus by members of the surrounding communities, friends or family, or casual visitors is still prohibited. Anyone who does not live, work, or study at Bard is not allowed access to campus without prior approval from the College. No visitors are allowed in dormitories, and students should refrain from visiting each other’s dorms until further notice. After all returning students have completed their return-to-campus protocols and have exited quarantine, we will reevaluate our visitor policy and also consider requests for small in-person gatherings, much as we did in mid-September last year. The no visitors policy and continuation of social restrictions is particularly important given the new strain of the virus, which is easier to transmit and the resultant disease no less severe. However, the good news is that vaccination is understood to be effective against all known strains.
All first-year students have arrived for Citizen Science and their return process has gone smoothly. There was one positive test among returning students this week, and that individual is now in our on-campus isolation housing. We want to reiterate the importance of pre-arrival testing and ask that all students returning for the spring semester review our pre- and post-arrival testing protocols and adhere closely to those protocols, which are based on requirements from the State of New York. Community spread begins largely with people who are infected but asymptomatic, so this testing process is one of our most effective ways of starting off the semester safely.
The vaccination process in New York State is off to a slow and confusing start, but we expect it to improve and for more vaccines to become available in the coming weeks. We understand the State is controlling all aspects of the distribution and delivery process to individual vaccination sites. We recommend that you first establish vaccine eligibility via the State website here. Please consult our step-by-step guide for navigating it. This website will generate a list of nearby vaccination sites once eligibility is confirmed. It has been very challenging to get accurate information about the vaccine process, as this article underscores. If you are having trouble getting an appointment, you are not alone. The College has been in touch with many local, state, and federal officials this week, trying to gather accurate information and access to vaccines for our community. We have volunteered on multiple occasions for Bard to serve as a vaccination site. The key underlying problem is the lack of vaccines, compounded by chaotic roll-out of the vaccination plan at the state level. Many vaccination sites do not actually have any vaccines to provide. Those that do have vaccines have many fewer than they hoped for. Ulster County, for example, established a vaccination site in Kingston capable of vaccinating 50,000 people a month. However, in their first month of operation, they only received 2,100 vaccines from the state. This in turn reflects the lack of vaccines at the federal level. At this stage of the process, patience and persistence are recommended. More vaccinations will become available in the Hudson Valley Area and we consider that to be the best option. If you do travel elsewhere within the state for your vaccinations, please take extra precautions while traveling to and from your destination.
We will continue to do everything we can to advocate for access to vaccines for our community at the local, state, and federal levels. Until there is widespread vaccination in our community, we must continue adhering to the mask wearing and physical distancing protocols that the College has put in place. We look forward to a time when we can relax them, but that time is not yet here, so the best way to continue to protect our community is to follow the same behaviors that kept us safe in the fall.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
responseteam@bard.edu
Coleen Murphy Alexander, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
Brooke Jude, Associate Professor of Biology
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Emily McLaughlin, Associate Dean of the College
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Dean of Students
Kahan Sablo, Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Michael Sadowski, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies
David Shein, Associate VP for Academic Affairs/Dean of Studies
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
A Message about Pre-arrival Testing, Vaccine Availability, and the Mandatory Daily Health Screening
Monday, January 11, 2021A COVID-19 Update
Topics in this updateThis week we are beginning random surveillance testing of all employees working on campus, and welcoming Citizen Science students and faculty to campus. We want to express our thanks to the students who remained on campus over the break and strictly adhered to the COVID-19 policies and protocols we put in place to keep the campus safe. We tested all students on campus last week, and all those who remained on campus over the break tested negative. (As we announced last week, we had one positive student result, from a student returning to campus from out of state.) We also tested approximately 200 employees last week who are working on campus, with two positive results (1%); the affected employees and a small number of direct contacts will remain off campus until cleared to return. The College’s contact tracing team completed its work in the case of each positive result within 24 hours. Test results are reported daily to the New York State and Dutchess County Departments of Health, and are reflected on our campus data dashboard.
Pre-arrival tests
Our return-to-campus testing protocols are designed to identify sick individuals before they come to campus. Several asymptomatic students, who were planning to travel to campus this week and did not previously know they were sick, have notified us that their pre-arrival test was positive. In August, the same protocol similarly identified several students who were infected in summer and did not know it. Studies have clearly demonstrated that most community spread begins with infected individuals who are asymptomatic, so feeling well does not mean you can skip pre-arrival or surveillance testing. We are working directly with these students to shift them to remote classes as needed.
These pre-arrival test results highlight the necessity of our pre-arrival protocol. Every student who has access to a PCR or antigen test is required to get one within three days of returning to Bard. For those students unable to get a pre-arrival test, please be prepared to be tested immediately upon arrival at Bard, and to shelter in place until receiving your test result the next day, refraining from contact with others while you await your result. You will receive detailed instructions from Residence Life staff upon arrival.
Vaccine availability
As of this morning, the state has added “in-person college instructors” to the list of populations who are eligible to be vaccinated beginning today. Eligible individuals should register for a vaccination appointment via the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Form. Another option for scheduling an appointment is through the State’s new COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline, at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829). The complete list of populations currently eligible for the vaccine as part of Phase 1a & 1b is here. If you are not sure if you are eligible, you can visit this NYS Department of Health website to determine your eligibility; “in-person college faculty or instructor” is an option under the “Additional Information” section.
It’s important to emphasize that while faculty teaching in-person classes are now eligible to make a reservation for vaccination, demand for vaccines still far outpaces the state’s supply. We encourage eligible employees to register today. Appointments at all vaccination points in Dutchess County were full for this week as of yesterday, but once you register, you will be notified by email when more appointments become available.
The vaccination process is complex and involves multiple layers of government. New York State defines who is eligible by phase, sets the timeline for each phase, and receives vaccines from the federal government and distributes them to the counties. County governments establish and operate vaccination sites, and have in many cases also launched county-level vaccine websites. We encourage employees to visit the appropriate websites for Dutchess County or Ulster County to learn more. Those in NYC should visit the NYC COVID vaccine website. If you live outside of these areas please check with your local county health department for details on vaccination sites. Some counties are requiring individuals to bring proof of eligibility to their vaccination appointment, such as an employee ID card, employer letter, or pay stub. Please contact the College’s Human Resources office if you need assistance with any of these.
Access to vaccinations is currently limited by New York State eligibility requirements and supply, but we encourage you to visit these sites and begin this important process as soon as possible. Vaccinations are not yet available to students in New York State. We will share any new information on eligibility and access to vaccinations as it becomes available.
Mandatory daily health screening
We are all looking forward to returning to campus and to the classroom, but must remain cognizant that cases are rising locally and nationally, so we must be particularly vigilant as we work to reestablish a safe campus environment for the coming semester. It was very gratifying to see how well the students who remained on campus over winter break adhered to health and safety protocols. We ask that all of our returning students, faculty, and staff recommit to making campus health and safety their top priority for the coming semester. We also want to remind all employees that submitting a daily health check-in is mandatory before you come to campus, and you should not enter any campus facility without submitting one.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
responseteam@bard.edu
Coleen Murphy Alexander, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
Brooke Jude, Associate Professor of Biology
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Emily McLaughlin, Associate Dean of the College
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Dean of Students
Kahan Sablo, Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Michael Sadowski, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies
David Shein, Associate VP for Academic Affairs/Dean of Studies
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
A Message about a Positive Case on Campus, Testing and Quarantine Requirements
Wednesday, January 6, 2021A COVID-19 Update
Topics in this update:To the Bard College community,
This month we are welcoming students back to campus, with a detailed and well-coordinated check-in process that includes testing and quarantine as required by the State of New York. The importance of maintaining stringent testing and safety protocols moving forward cannot be overstated. This week the College is testing all students who remained on campus during winter break, as well as the small number of early arrivals, and all staff currently working on campus. Through this process, we identified one positive test result yesterday. The individual has been moved into our isolation housing. Through contact tracing, we identified one person on campus who was exposed to the positive case and is now in quarantine. No other individuals on campus have been exposed to the active case.
In 2020 we learned how to keep our community healthy in a pandemic, through our personal behaviors and the College’s COVID policies and protocols. We are grateful to everyone who helped. Now that we are entering a new year, rising transmission rates and the new highly contagious strain first discovered in England make it far more important than ever that we all strictly adhere to these protocols, and the appropriate health and safety behaviors, both on and off campus. Along with the entire nation we are entering the most challenging moment of the pandemic, even though the end is in sight with the vaccine.
A safe return to campus starts prior to arrival on campus. Take extra precautions to avoid situations where you might become exposed to the virus before returning to Bard, so that you do not bring it back with you. Take the opportunity now to review the College’s COVID policies and protocols as published on our COVID page. Students should reacquaint themselves with the requirements outlined in the COVID-19 Addendum to the Student Handbook. All of us have worked together to take extraordinary measures to keep our community safe. We must continue to support these efforts with our actions now.
Testing and quarantine requirements for January return-to-campus
All students who did not remain on campus for Winter Break are required to take two COVID tests as part of the “return to campus” protocol.Additional details on arrival protocols and specific arrival dates can be found here. Students must be prepared to arrive on the day that corresponds to their specific situation as described at the link. Due to the complexity of the check-in process under COVID and the importance of maintaining these safety protocols through an orderly check-in, the College cannot accommodate arrival dates and times outside of the options listed.
Quarantine requirements
Students returning to Bard from any non-contiguous state or from overseas are required by New York State Guidelines to quarantine upon arrival in NY, and will immediately enter quarantine after arriving at Bard. The College has arranged quarantine space for all students who need it. Students who live off campus and are required to quarantine must be prepared to do so in their off-campus residence. If you have questions about quarantine, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of the College’s COVID page.New York State has updated its quarantine requirement to enable travelers to test out of quarantine if they submit negative pre- and post-arrival COVID tests, reducing quarantine time to approximately four days. However, in accordance with NYS requirements, any student who needs to quarantine and is unable to get a pre-arrival COVID test will be required to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in NY. Students not required to quarantine will be expected to refrain from any group interactions during the time between their arrival on campus and their post-arrival test.
All Bard employees returning to work this week are required to be tested, and all returning employees are required to participate in surveillance testing during the spring semester. Employees who have traveled or hosted visitors from outside the local area must observe quarantine protocols as outlined by New York State. They are also required to sign a new health pledge and to continue conducting daily COVID health checks before coming to campus.
We are optimistic that COVID vaccines will become available at some point during the spring semester. We are working closely with NY State and our partners at Nuvance Health to establish a plan of action so we can quickly begin offering vaccinations to our community as soon as possible. Once vaccination is available, it should be considered an additional level of protection, not a replacement for such essential safety measures as mask wearing and social distancing.
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment to the College’s efforts to keep the community safe. We look forward to a healthy and engaging return for Citizen Science and another successful semester.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
responseteam@bard.edu
Coleen Murphy Alexander, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
Brooke Jude, Associate Professor of Biology
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Emily McLaughlin, Associate Dean of the College
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Dean of Students
Kahan Sablo, Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Michael Sadowski, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies
David Shein, Associate VP for Academic Affairs/Dean of Studies
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
A Message to Bard Students and Families about Winter Break Policies, January Arrival, Citizen Science, Spring Semester, and Vaccines
Thursday, December 24, 2020A COVID-19 Update
Topics in this update:
To Bard students and families,
Please read this email carefully, as it contains detailed requirements for returning to campus in January for Citizen Science and the spring semester.
COVID policies and protocols for Winter Break
With Winter Break now underway, we would like to remind everyone that all of the College’s COVID policies and protocols - including mask-wearing, physical distancing, frequent hand-washing, and size limits for gathering - remain in effect. For all who have returned home for the Winter Break, we ask that you all adhere to these safety protocols at home and observe the CDC guidance for holiday safety.
In recognition of the unprecedented public health challenges of COVID, for the first time in memory the College is keeping the residence halls open over Winter Break for those who need to stay. Those students remaining on campus must continue adhering to protocols barring visitors, and also must not travel outside of the local area or spend the night off campus and then return to campus. The safety of the campus community depends on it. Nurses and counselors are on call and available through the Safety and Security Office. For information on shuttle service, food distributions, wellness activities, and other on-campus needs please visit Winter Break Guide 2020-21.
Planning for Citizen Science and the spring semester
Citizen Science will take place January 14-29. We are currently planning for a blended, in-person program. Spring Semester classes will begin on February 1 and end on May 25. Spring Break will be observed as five separate “respite days” throughout the semester; professors will provide schedule details to students at the beginning of the semester.
Testing and quarantine requirements for January return-to-campus
All students not remaining on campus throughout Winter Break will be required to take two COVID tests as part of the “return to campus” protocol.
All students who live off campus or travel away from campus during Winter Break must observe the testing requirements listed above in order to regain access to campus for class or other activities, even if you remain in the local area over Winter Break. Only students who remain on campus throughout Winter Break are exempt from the pre- and post-arrival testing requirement.
Students traveling to Bard from any non-contiguous state or from overseas are required by New York State Guidelines to quarantine upon arrival in NY, and will immediately enter quarantine after arriving at Bard. (Students who spend the Winter Break in New York State or a contiguous state are not required to quarantine upon return to campus.) The College has arranged quarantine space on campus for all students who need it and reside on campus. Students who live off campus and are required to quarantine must be prepared to do so in their off-campus residence. If you have questions about quarantine, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of the College’s COVID page.
New York State has updated its quarantine requirement to enable travelers to test out of quarantine if they submit negative pre- and post-arrival COVID tests, reducing quarantine time to approximately four days. Any student who is required to quarantine but does not take a pre-arrival COVID test must quarantine upon arrival in New York State. Individuals can end their quarantine after 10 days as long as no symptoms have been reported during the quarantine period.* Students not required to quarantine will be expected to refrain from any group interactions during the time between their arrival on campus and their post-arrival test. Only once you’ve received negative results from both your pre-arrival and post-arrival tests will you be able to return to campus activities and in-person classes.
January arrival dates
Below are arrival dates and times for students returning for Citizen Science and the spring semester. It is very important that you plan to arrive on the day that corresponds to your situation. Please note that you MUST plan to arrive between the hours of 9am - 3pm. Because of the complexities of the check-in process under COVID, the College cannot accommodate student check-ins outside of those hours. Whether you live on or off campus, student access to campus facilities after Winter Break is contingent upon complying with the return-to-campus check-in process, including pre- and post-arrival testing and quarantine as required.
Vaccines
There is a great deal of encouraging news about COVID vaccines, and we are in close contact with health authorities as they develop vaccination plans. As of today, federal, state, and local authorities have not finalized or communicated vaccination protocols. It is imperative that we not relax our vigilance just because a vaccine is on the horizon. Until vaccines are available to the Bard community, we must continue following the public health protocols and policies that have kept us safe to this point. Therefore, until further notice, for Citizen Science and the spring semester we will continue to observe the COVID protocols that have been in place since fall. Students should prepare for an in-person spring semester much like the semester we have just completed.
The Response Team will communicate additional aspects of our Spring Semester plan, including how and when we will resume surveillance testing for students and employees, in the coming weeks.
We are grateful for the hard work and commitment that each of you made throughout this past semester to support the College community as we worked through the uncertainties and complexities of life under the pandemic. This has been an extraordinary collective effort, dependent on each of us to do our part. Please remain flexible, as the public health situation continues to develop rapidly. We will communicate any changes in government requirements as soon as we learn about them, and will adjust College policies as necessary. We hope you all enjoy the Winter Break. Please stay safe and healthy. We look forward to seeing you again in the new year.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
responseteam@bard.edu
Coleen Murphy Alexander, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
Brooke Jude, Associate Professor of Biology
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Emily McLaughlin, Associate Dean of the College
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Dean of Students
Kahan Sablo, Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Michael Sadowski, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies
David Shein, Associate VP for Academic Affairs/Dean of Studies
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
*Quarantine protocols have been updated in this message to reflect new guidance from the State of New York. Please see Bard's COVID-19 Response website for details.
Health, Counseling, and Wellness at Bard
-
Health ServicesIn response to the current circumstances, Health Services will be providing services largely via phone. Please call 845-758-7433 to speak with one of our health care professionals.
-
Counseling ServicesBard Counseling is offering teletherapy. Please email counselingservice@bard.edu to set up an appointment. In addition, the Counseling staff is offering a weekly column on mental health during COVID-19, and they have added a page of virtual mental health resources.
-
Wellness ServicesBard Wellness has added a host of virtual programming during the pandemic, including meditation, peer health open hours, and "Show and Tail" (virtual Dog Days). Visit the Wellness website for details.
Coronavirus Information
Please visit the resources page to find public health information about COVID-19.
COVID-19 Resources
Recommendations for High-Risk Individuals
In coordination with Federal, state, and local authorities and health care providers, Bard remains in a preventative status where the emphasis is on precautionary measures to minimize potential exposure among at-risk populations. With that in mind, we are sharing updated recommendations from the CDC regarding higher risk individuals. The well-being of students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority, and our strategy is being guided by the best advice applicable to our location here in Dutchess County. Faculty, staff, and students who are at higher risk should follow the guidelines below.
If public health officials determine there is a reason to move from prevention to mitigation, or advise us to take any other action, we will immediately provide further guidance on the next steps in our ongoing contingency planning. In the meantime, we will continue to share clear, consistent, and accurate information.
Recommendations for High-Risk Individuals
Faculty and staff who are older (60 or above), or who have underlying medical conditions should be in contact with the Dean of the College and Human Resources, and plan to follow CDC guidelines: People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19.Students who have underlying medical conditions should take extra care with prevention procedures. Students with underlying medical conditions are encouraged to fill out this ADA Accommodations Registration Form so the college can assist with their concerns on a case-by-case basis. They should also review the CDC guidelines for those at risk.
First Years:
Last names A-K: Alexis Lopez, alopez@bard.edu
Last names L-z: Kaet Heupel: kheupel@bard.edu
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors:
Last names A-G: Jennifer Triplett: triplett@bard.edu
Last names H-P: Timand Bates: tbates@bard.edu
Last names Q-Z: Dorothy Albertini: albertin@bard.edu
Bard is committed to supporting all of its students in completing their coursework online. We are continuing our academic requirements remotely at the current time.
The past several weeks have understandably been very trying. With increasing numbers of confirmed cases, as well as the experience of family, friends, and news reports of public figures already affected by this virus, the situation can feel daunting. Remember that CDC and other health officials still report that, in utilizing the current shelter in place, fabric mask when making necessary trips to the store, social distancing, common sense and best practices of personal hygiene, the curve can be flattened and we can come out of this much sooner. All of us need to participate in the public health model that is being used to guide communities in mitigating the spread of the virus, allowing the medical community to maintain services, and ensuring that our communications are accurate.
This situation is still evolving rapidly, so please continue to do your part to keep our community safe. The health and safety of the Bard community is our top priority. We are committed to updating information often and following the guidance of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the New York State Department of Health, and the American College Health Association (ACHA).
Health Protocols
The best way to limit transmission of the flu also applies to COVID-19.
- Get a flu shot
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly (for a minimum of 20 seconds)
- Cover your face using a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Limit the amount you touch your face
- Avoid contact or proximity with anyone who is ill
- If you are ill, stay home and contact Health Services to discuss next steps
If You Feel Sick
-
What if I am sick and suspect that I might have COVID-19 or even the flu?
What if I am sick and suspect that I might have COVID-19 or even the flu?
Bard Health Services is available via phone by calling: 845-758-7433
Health Services Hours:
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday
As much as possible, we ask Bard students to be in touch with Health Services directly via phone. If you are experiencing fever and lung symptoms or you suspect you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please call Health Services for a medical consult before walking in. In keeping with Health Department guidelines, Bard Health Services requests that you not walk into the clinic until you have consulted with the staff over the phone. Phone consultations are recommended to receive the best care and advice and minimize the chance that others will be exposed. Many doctor’s offices and health clinics regularly use this protocol during flu season. -
What should I expect if I have symptoms similar to COVID-19 and call Security to be seen by EMS?
What should I expect if I have symptoms similar to COVID-19 and call Security to be seen by EMS?
Call Bard Emergency Number (845-758-7777) if on campus, or 911 if off campus.
New York State and Dutchess County Emergency Medical Services have new protocols for responding to patients who are suspected of having COVID-19.
After hours, on-campus Bard students who are experiencing fever, lung symptoms, and a cough can call Security. A preliminary phone assessment will be conducted to determine that there is not an immediate emergency. If a patient is suspected of having the virus and not immediately in a life-threatening situation, Security will contact the Nurse Practitioner on call and the Dean. The student may be moved to a specific dorm for isolation, and all recent contacts will be asked to or required to enter precautionary quarantine. If the student’s symptoms are severe, 911 will be called and the student will be transferred by ambulance to the ER for evaluation. It is important for students to understand that the ambulance paramedics will be in full protective gear, including full body suits, masks and face masks. Testing for students who do not require hospitalization may be ordered at one of the drive through testing sites if criteria for testing is met and it is ordered by a medical provider after a careful assessment.
Protocols for all emergency services are the same. Onsite evaluations will not be conducted by emergency personnel for patients suspected of COVID-19 unless there is a life-threatening emergency. It is critical that we do our part to limit exposure of medical personnel to the virus, and to protect sick but not hospital-level sick students who might not have COVID-19 from a possible emergency room exposure.
At this time, most health care is being provided via telemedicine, including at Bard Health Service. Patients should not go to any outpatient clinic with fever, shortness of breath, and/or cough. Instead, people should follow the same protocol and call ahead to the clinic to be evaluated over the phone. Most patients will be given medical protocols to manage their illness without being seen in person unless immediate medical intervention is required. Again, this is in keeping with CDC protocols which are also applied during an acute flu season.
Faculty and staff should consult with their own primary care providers. Community members experiencing fevers should stay home.
For Faculty
-
Bard IT: Course ContinuityThere are a number of online tools available on campus that faculty can leverage to keep connected to students during a disruption to campus life. Establishing a communication plan and maintaining consistent contact with students are key. Please visit the Bard Information Technology website to learn about remote teaching.
Bard IT: Course Continuity
Get In Touch
-
Contact UsPLEASE CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.
Please be advised that we have a new electronic medical record system so please allow extra time for intake.
Questions?
Call us at 845-758-7433 and we will get back to you today.
Appointments
Students are seen by appointment only. You can schedule an appointment by calling 845-758-7433.
Reminders
You must know what your current health insurance coverage is and bring a copy of your card to your appointment.
845-758-7433 -
Location and HoursWe are located in Robbins House Annex on North Campus with Counseling Services.
We are in the first white building on the left as you head down Robbins Road towards Manor and the Fisher Center.
Find us on the campus map
Phone: 845-758-7433
Fax: 845-758-7437
E-mail: healthservice@bard.edu
Hours: Monday– Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm -
After-Hours Emergencies
On campus call ext. 7777, off campus dial 911, or go to Northern Dutchess Hospital Emergency Room.
Emergency Services
Emergency Room at Northern Dutchess Hospital
6511 Spring Brook Ave, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Phone: 845-871-3440
Urgent Care Services
CareMount Medical Urgent Care Clinic
6734 U.S. 9, Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Phone: 845-231-5600