As you know, we have just over three weeks of on-ground classes remaining this semester.  Thanks for all of your collective work to make this remarkably challenging term a success so far.  Our work isn’t done, of course, but we wanted to inform you about three important milestones as we look toward the finish.

Word of Caution about Halloween

We know Halloween is a tempting opportunity to let your guard down, but please resist that temptation.  While Marist has always been proud to celebrate with its own traditions, we have suspended many of our typical events and replaced them with others to be festive but responsible.  Among them are: 

• Fire Pits and S’mores will be happening Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm
• A scary movie marathon will take place on Saturday with Ghostbusters, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Halloweentown showing at 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 10:00 pm, respectively. 
• A Jackbox Trivia Murder Party will be held at 9:00 pm on Saturday.

Just as the College has modified its events to be responsible, we expect all students to do the same.  This means any unsanctioned gatherings, including Halloween parties, will not be tolerated. Any celebration must conform with the public health guidelines we have all adhered to during the pandemic: masks, social distancing, and hygienic protocols.  Students should limit their interactions to their “pod” (e.g., roommates or immediate housemates). Students should also continue to restrict their time off campus to essential errands, and avoid traveling to visit friends or return home.  The College has been strict about these policies and will continue to do so for our collective health.

An Encouragement about Election Day

We encourage all students to exercise their right to vote and are pleased by the on-campus efforts aimed at increasing voter registration. We recognize that for some students, their only opportunity to vote in this election will involve travel off campus. While students will not be penalized for traveling for the purpose of voting, they should ensure it does not conflict with their academic coursework and exercise every precaution including wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing, and avoiding large gatherings.

A Plan for Pre-Thanksgiving Testing

We are pleased to announce that the College will be providing pre-Thanksgiving testing for all students prior to their return to home for the Thanksgiving holiday and the completion of Fall semester classes online. In the three-week period leading up to the Thanksgiving break, all residential and off-campus students will be called again to participate in surveillance testing.  Marist is providing this service to you and your families as an additional safety measure as you head into the semester break. Because we cannot guarantee how close a particular person's test will occur to their travel plans, we encourage students to also be tested on their own if they feel it is necessary. Testing sites can be found here. We want you healthy, rested, and ready for what we hope will be a terrific Spring semester.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts to “protect the pack.”

Sincerely, 

Geoff Brackett, Executive Vice President
Thom Wermuth, Vice President for Academic Affairs
Deb DiCaprio, Vice President for Student Affairs