COVID-19 Updates
October 4, 2021
Good Morning,
As many of our faculty and students prepare for midterms and upcoming Fall Break, we are thankful for your help in maintaining a healthy environment through vaccinations, diligent mask wearing and following COVID-19 precautions. As of today, 7 positive cases remain, and 97% of our students, faculty and staff are fully vaccinated or within the two-week period following their final dose of vaccination. New York State recently updated their requirements for the HERO Act and while the HWS Logistics team continues to update the Colleges’ plans to reflect any changes, all new requirements are already in process here (such as required mask usage).
While COVID-19 management remains at the forefront, flu season is approaching. The Colleges will host our annual flu clinics throughout October, with the first two occurring Tuesday, Oct. 5 and Thursday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Vandervort Room for all members of the HWS community. Please bring your insurance card.
As fall truly begins in Upstate New York, the campus has been able to celebrate numerous team successes. William Smith College Head Soccer Coach Aliceann Wilber and the Heron soccer program recorded their 600th win with a 2-0 victory over Ithaca College last week. Wilber, now in her 42nd season and the only head soccer coach William Smith has ever had, holds a record of 600-139-60. Only one other coach in NCAA women’s soccer has reached the 600-win mark. Members of the Colleges’ Debate team qualified for the quarterfinal round at the 2021 World Universities Debating Championships and two of our students ranked eighth in the world in the English as a Second Language division, truly a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the power of our Debate program. And over the weekend, the HWS sailing team claimed a 10-point victory in Kings Point Dinghy Open this weekend, finishing first in a field of 22 teams, while the Hobart soccer team used an eighth-minute goal to defeat Bard 1-0 on Cozzens Field.
It is wonderful to see the campus engaged in curricular and co-curricular activities. After this strong start to the academic year, you all deserve a restful Fall Break. We will not have a weekly message next Monday due to the break, but remain available if you have any questions or concerns. We wish you a good week and Fall Break!
Sincerely,
Sarah Kirk
Provost and Dean of Faculty
B. B. Barile
Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students