Important COVID-19 Update

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Dear Albion Community,

As part of our Together Safely plan, Albion College added the capacity to test wastewater leaving residence halls for the presence of COVID-19. Today, we received our first wastewater testing program results.

These results indicate that someone shedding the COVID-19 virus used a bathroom in the fraternities sometime between Sunday, August 30, and Monday, August 31.

This person or person(s) could be in the incubation period, in the active infection period, or the post-infection period. Out of an abundance of caution, we are instructing the residents of the fraternity houses to begin immediately observing the same self-quarantine that all students completed at move-in. Fraternity residents will receive instructions by separate email about individual testing of the fraternity residents tomorrow, Thursday, September 3. If no individual is identified through the individual testing, the self-quarantine may be lifted. If an individual is identified, we will follow our positive test response protocol.

Students who do not live in the fraternities should not enter any fraternity housing until further notice. If you do not live in a fraternity house but used a bathroom in a fraternity house on Sunday, August 30, or Monday, August 31 or spent significant time in a fraternity building since Sunday, we ask that you self-identify by emailing Trista Geier at , and begin self-quarantine immediately. Because the health of students, employees and our community is our number one priority, individuals who self-identify as having been present in a fraternity house will not be referred to the College’s student conduct system if they disclose this information themselves.

Wastewater testing did not detect any positive results from Seaton and Wesley Halls. We are currently evaluating the possibility of adding additional buildings to the program.

As you may have seen from recent headlines, many campuses are having outbreaks of COVID-19, including campuses in our backyard. We must remain vigilant and continue to take responsibility for ourselves, for each other and for our community. As a reminder:

• Wear your masks whenever outside your room. Your masks need to cover both your nose and mouth.
• Maintain at least six feet of physical distance between yourself and others. Note, every time you are within six feet of another person for more than 15 minutes, you are considered a close contact, and, should a person test positive for the virus, you will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.
• Monitor your health and practice good personal hygiene, including regularly washing your hands.
• If you are feeling sick, stay in your room.

Faculty who have questions about this notification should contact the Provost’s Office. Staff who have questions about this notification should speak with their supervisor. Students who have questions about this notification should contact the Office of Residential Life.

We will share updates as we have them.

Office of the President