Pause Extended Through April 7

“This story was updated April 6”

The college has extended the campus-wide pause through April 7. The voluntary precautionary pause began on March 17 and has now been extended four times, making it the longest pause of the year. Wednesday will mark the 21st consecutive day. 

“We are writing to inform you that Marist will be continuing our precautionary campus pause through Wednesday April 7,” the Vice President for Student Affairs Deborah DiCaprio said. “This will allow the College to analyze the data available as late as Monday from relevant testing protocols to make the best decision about what, if any, on-ground activities can be resumed.” 

The college is currently at an orange alert level for COVID-19 cases, meaning that the incidence of cases is rapidly increasing and transmission is less controlled. Last updated on April 2, the COVID-19 dashboard shows a total of 487 COVID-19 cases and 167 total active cases. The college has administered 9,451 COVID-19 tests and will continue surveillance testing and targeted testing during the pause. 

“We all understand the challenge of the current environment and appreciate the difficulty these public health measures present to all members of the Marist community,” DiCaprio said. 

Students are permitted to leave their residence areas for COVID-19 testing, outdoor activities with their immediate household or pod and essential errands such as grocery shopping, medical appointments, internships and off-campus jobs. The limitations to campus activities will also remain the same as dining will be grab-and-go only, the McCann Center will remain closed, all Division I athletics continue to be suspended and all in-person activities have been suspended. 

“Please continue to follow appropriate safety protocols, and be sure to do what you can to register to be vaccinated now that New York State has lowered the eligibility to 16 years old,” DiCaprio said.

The college is now encouraging students to find a vaccination appointment in the area once New York State opens the eligibility to all adults on April 6. If students left campus over the weekend or during the pause, they are required to get surveillance testing within 24 hours of returning to campus. Students returning to campus should schedule a time for surveillance testing through the IMLeagues system under the Marist College April Testing tab. 

“We believe our continued vigilance and the increased availability of vaccines, beginning Tuesday, April 6, for individuals 16 and older, will provide a safer community for all,” DiCaprio said. “Be safe, Red Foxes.”

The college has extended the campus-wide pause through April 4. Source: Grace Maeda ‘21