September COVID-19 student update

Posted: September 21, 2021

Hello Trappers,

Welcome to week three of the fall semester of 2021! I hope everyone is easing into the fall routine and staying focused on your efforts to remain healthy, both mentally and physically, during this continuing pandemic. Time for a quick COVID-19 update.

Recent survey results:

The results from a recent NWC student survey about COVID-19 operational preferences are as follows:

• 483 responses(36% of 1,339 non-concurrent, credit students)
• 66% of students ranked short-term rolling mask mandates as their first preference over Zoom
• 40% of students are fully or partly vaccinated (33% fully, 6% partly)

Results from the same survey given to NWC Employees:

• 133 responses (48%* of faculty, staff and administrators)
• 74% ranked short-term rolling mask mandates as their first preference over operating remotely
• 73% of employees are fully or partly vaccinated (72% fully, 1% partly)

*The adjunct faculty email list contains 118 people, but only about 50-60 teach each semester, so the response rate of faculty and staff teaching or working at NWC this semester is likely closer to 63%. 

So, 2 out of 3 students and almost 3 out of 4 faculty/staff prefer a rolling mask mandate.
4 out of 10 students and over 7 out of 10 faculty/staff are vaccinated.

What that means for us:

• As of September 20, NWC has 9 active isolations (0.0056 of the population) and 7 active quarantines (0.0044 of the population) out of ~1,600 students (excluding concurrent) and employees.Face coverings/masks are still not mandated on campus at this point but remain highly recommended. I continue to closely follow these numbers each day. I may still call for a rolling/temporary return to required coverings/masks in campus buildings, which could be extended or lifted as necessary (perhaps more than once) as the situation merits.  
  
  
• There is no mandate for vaccination, but it is still highly encouraged. Nearly ¾ of NWC faculty and staff report being full or partly vaccinated—which is much higher than the general population.  40% of students report being full or partly vaccinated. 
  
  
• Please, if you are sick, stay home.Northwest College has free COVID-19 Vault tests that can be made available to you. Pick one up from the mailroom to have “on hand,” or we can arrange to drop one off to you if you are sick. They typically take 4-5 days for results. We encourage you to work with your health provider, public health, and/or local hospitals, clinics, or pharmacies to learn about other testing options and treatment. We are currently working with public health to procure rapid tests, but the availability is very limited, so we are limited to using Vault tests and rapid tests for group travel.

Important links:

• The campus is still operating atLevel 5 / Condition 2c from the COVID-19 NWC Pandemic Response Plan (see pages 9-10 of the linked PDF). 
• Please report your positive COVID-19 test results and exposure to COVID-19 through theCOVID Connection form located on the MyNWC College portal. 

As always, please stay tuned for potential changes to our operational plans as cases of COVID-19 fluctuate across our community. Know that there may be a return to more restrictive practices if mandated by the State of Wyoming, Park County Public Health, or Northwest College administration due to serious health concerns. 

Feel free to contact me with any questions. Together we can keep campus open, classes operating, and everyone healthy.

Keep up the good work!

Best regards,

Lisa