We are now entering our fourth week of the spring semester and it is wonderful to have everyone back on campus after an extended winter break.
While the pandemic has certainly altered how we navigate many aspects of our lives right now, I am exceedingly grateful that we have been able to continue to offer an in-person, on-campus experience for our students. That being said, for us to continue to have a safe, in-person educational environment, we all have to do our part to commit to our Marching Forward safety protocols. Everyone must continue to take precautions seriously.
This includes the strict adherence to our mask policy. Studies have shown properly wearing a face covering is one of the best ways to decrease the chances of unknowingly transmitting the virus to others. Properly-fitted face coverings (covering the nose and mouth) are required to be worn by all employees, students, and visitors when in any building on campus – this includes the Campus Center, Scola, Chapel, library, PE and recreation facilities, halls, and classrooms.
It is incumbent on each one of us to follow our safety protocols and hold each other accountable in order to make it successfully through the next 14 weeks of the semester. We have proven we can remain in session and do it well as exemplified by last autumn.
As we witnessed this week, the virus has not gone away – it is prevalent in our community. It is important that as a college community we must not let our guard down. New data shows there is a growing risk of the spread of one or more of the new variants of COVID-19 across the US. Having good safety protocols in place and practiced across our campus will help prevent the spread of those strains should they become an issue in Helena.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure the “Carroll Bubble” and for looking out for each other. It’s what Saints do!
Sincerely,
John E. Cech, Ph.D.
President