Phase 3 of the Laurentian Pact set to Start on October 22

In a campus wide email that went out on Monday, Dean of Student Life Hagi Bradley provided several updates to the Laurentian Pact. In the email, he explains that Phase 2 largely revolved around wastewater testing. 

“St. Lawrence University has partnered with a company to conduct sewer surveillance of the University’s residential facilities where doing so is feasible based on the configuration of residence hall sewer lines,” said Bradley. “Samples from sewer lines out of residence halls will be taken and analyzed regularly.”

Bradley continues to say that wastewater testing is an emerging science and that SLU is still learning. 

“One benefit of wastewater testing is an early-warning system of sorts and can help us identify potential ‘hotspots’  in the Residence Halls,” said Bradley in the email. “A limitation of wastewater testing is, somewhat ironically, its sensitivity. Wastewater can still test positive for COVID even if a student in a residence hall has previously had COVID and is no longer infected, but who is still shedding virus in the wastewater stream.”

In the conclusion of the email, he urged students to get their flu shot and to continue to be the friendly campus community that we are. 

In a different email sent out the same day, he provided Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 clarifications. The Phase 2 updates include: Theme house clusters, cross Greek House visitation and additional residence clusters. Each of these requirements are for “individual visitation and does not change the requirement for no gatherings of more than 10 individuals,” said Bradley in the email. 

Phase 3 is set to start on October 22, which permits all student visitation to other residence halls on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 

“[It] does not change the guidelines related to face covering requirements,” said Bradley. “During Phase 3 students visiting other residence halls should avoid using the restroom outside of their own assigned residence hall.” 

Annika Kreppein, Class of ‘22 and a Community Assistant in Dean Eaton Hall, said she thinks things are going well. 

“People really seem to appreciate and respect the fact that the school granted us this privilege and they are abiding by the rules,” said Kreppein. “Phase two opened up many options for people and I really think it made a difference in everyone’s everyday lives at SLU.”

In regard to Phase 3, Kreppein said she believes it is another step in the right direction, but that she is nervous because it opens up more room for error. 

“I am mainly concerned that students will take advantage of the new guidelines because SLU is doing so well with COVID-19,” said Kreppein. “The reason we are doing so well is because we have not been relaxed. It is important to hold each other accountable so we all can remain at school.” 

Asa Krieger, a CA in Rebert Hall, said he had some concerns as well. 

“Since there is no vaccine for COVID, I am apprehensive about Phase 3 because it might put students at a greater risk than the previous phases,” said Krieger. 

He also is worried about the extra work load the phase might entail for CA’s. 

“Despite all the ‘thank yous’ CA’s have received, they don’t support CA’s by giving us a pay raise because I do think we are underpaid and there is unpaid work,” said Kriger, “and with Phase 3 I think there will be more pact violations which means more work for us.” 

However, Krieger said he can see the mental health and social benefits of Phase 3.