SLU COVID Safety

St. Lawrence University has been cited as one of the colleges with a well planned opening strategy. The University has mandated changes to prevent the spread of Sars-Cov-19, the virus that causes COVID-19. Some of these changes include mask wearing, and social distancing practices. Moreover the college has limited the chances of super spreader events such as parties and large gatherings without an approved safety plan.

The Center for Disease control recommends widespread testing of students and staff to slow down the spread of Sars-Cov-19 on college campuses. St. Lawrence has, since the beginning of the semester, implemented a continuous testing for all students and faculty. According to the COVID-19 dashboard, there are 3 total cases, and one active case. A statistic that enables the college to operate under a low risk status.

To supplement the rigorous testing and social distancing guidelines, St Lawrence, in partnership with Clarkson University and other local entities, has implemented a wastewater surveillance program to detect the residual virus in the water flushed down the toilet. According to Dr. Ivan Ramler, the lead statistician for the project, the first samples of wastewater have been taken from St. Lawrence for analysis in the lab.

“One of the main ideas behind wastewater surveillance is to find infected individuals before they start showing symptoms,” Explains Dr. Ramler, “For SLU, this can then lead to more directed testing to identify and isolate cases before it spreads out of control.” Dr. Ramler also advises that,” the wastewater surveillance is just one extra piece to help protect the community. Ideally if everyone does their part to stop the spread of the virus, then the surveillance (and its resulting data) will be very easy as it will continuously come back negative.”

With Phase 3 going into effect this weekend, allowing students to visit other students in different dorms for the weekend, Dean Hagi Bradley encourages all students to continue using the rest rooms in their halls to allow the wastewater surveillance testing to work as effectively as possible in identifying possible viral clusters. 

The Facilities department has also stepped up to the fight against covid-19. According to Dan Seaman, Associate Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer, the department has secured  a good supply of Personal Protective Equipment for all staff, as well as extra protective gear for handling the chemicals used to disinfect surfaces. These include: N-95 masks, gloves, goggles and a full gown suit.

Dan Seaman also elaborates on the new changes his department has had to make in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic: “ many new procedures have been implemented in our cleaning protocol.  We purchased 10 electrostatic sprayers we use in areas that are not occupied… We do this in the Student Center and the 24 hour room in ODY only when it is closed for this purpose.  We never use the sprayer when students are present.  We disinfect with the electrostatic sprayers, using a chlorine based solution, only in unoccupied classrooms where we know had been used during the day. ” Other duties include disinfecting and stocking up the quarantine space in Kirk Douglas Hall.

Nazret “Nazzy” Berhane ’23 said she is excited about the developments on campus, however concerned that the college may not stay past halloween if students don’t strictly follow the Laurentian pact through phase 3. “Shout out to all professors holding in person classes, ensuring that students are being safe, wearing their masks and sanitizing their desks” she said with passion in her voice.

With all the efforts taken by the college administration, faculty,  and students to keep the college COVID-free and open, one can bet that the hopes of students like Nazzy will be kept alive.