By Kate Hill

Staff Writer

On Nov. 24, Cazenovia College successfully completed its 14-week fall semester of in-person, on-campus instruction.

Cazenovia is one of only a few colleges in the region that were able to keep students on campus and to continue in-person instruction for the entire semester.

Throughout the state and across the country, outbreaks of COVID-19 have forced many colleges and universities to pause in-person instruction, cancel on-campus activities, and in some cases, require students to leave campus and continue instruction remotely.

“The biggest thing I learned this semester is that uncertainty can be managed, adversity can be challenged, and a group of people willing to believe in science and [willing] to commit to protecting one another can beat the odds,” said Cazenovia College President Ron Chesbrough. “We did that. I am proud beyond measure of our faculty, staff and students.”

According to a Nov. 23 press release from the college, four factors — sound strategic planning, regular testing and reporting, a pledge to uphold defined safety protocols, and a diligence focused on the wellbeing of fellow campus community members — have enabled the institution to avoid an outbreak.

In a note of appreciation to students, Chesbrough highlighted the following measures taken by the college to ensure the safety of the campus and local community:

Senior leadership, in conjunction with local health officials, dedicated time over the summer to developing policies and operational plans that would implement stringent safety measures to avoid an outbreak.

The college required pre-arrival COVID-19 testing for all students and employees.

Students and staff were asked to adhere to a healthy-practices “Caz Strong” pledge that established strict safety guidelines.

Students were willing to miss out on typical college experiences in order to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

The campus community strictly adhered to safety practices, including mask-wearing at all times; physical distancing in classrooms, common areas, athletic facilities, and outdoor spaces; and a “no visitors” policy for residence halls.

Students and staff cooperated with regular health screening, testing and contact tracing efforts.

At least 5 percent of students and staff were tested for COVID-19 on a bi-weekly basis.

According to the college, the 397 tests conducted on campus over a 12-week period yielded no positive results. Students were given the option of receiving a rapid test prior to leaving for winter break; 300 tests were conducted, with two positive results from non-residential students.

Chesbrough also noted that communicating thoroughly, frequently and transparently about COVID-19 conditions at the college helped keep people mindful of the safety protocols.

The president pointed specifically to the ongoing inter-departmental and leadership team communication, the continual communication between the campus health center staff and area health departments, and the creation of Cazenovia College COVID-19 Dashboard on the college website, which allowed for full transparency as to the status of COVID-19 cases.

To view the dashboard, visit cazenovia.edu/coronavirus/dashboard.

“I have felt in my time here that personal connection is everything to the Wildcat experience,” Chesbrough said in his letter. “We have had our challenges thanks to COVID, but I have faith that we can and will return to a full Caz College experience. I look forward to that day. In the meantime, be safe, be well. Stay CazStrong,”

Cazenovia College is planning for students to return to campus for the spring semester on Jan. 19, 2021. Updates will be provided on the college website.

In October, the Cazenovia College Board of Trustees announced a freeze on tuition, room and board costs for the 2021-2022 academic year. The college is also increasing merit aid awards to a maximum of $31,000 annually for all freshmen starting in fall 2021, regardless of family income or state residency. According to the college, these decisions were made in recognition of the financial impacts of COVID-19 on families and individuals.

For more information, visit cazenovia.edu/news.