Dear Faculty and Staff,
I write with an important message about a new step Mercy is implementing to keep our community healthy and safe as we continue to manage COVID-19.
Before I tell you about that, though, let me just say how grateful I am to you for continuing to make yourselves available to our students both in person and online. You are teaching dynamic classes, you are responding to student inquiries, and you are seamlessly keeping the campus operating smoothly. This is what makes our community so strong. As I shared with our DPT community at their moving-up ceremony in the lecture hall this weekend, I am so proud of all of you – and you should be so proud of yourself – for how you are ensuring our students find success this year despite the unusual circumstances.
You may have heard of nearby institutions that have had to shut down operations temporarily due to increases in COVID-19 cases on campus. Here at Mercy, we have avoided that fate partially because of steps we’ve taken institutionally to keep the community safe, but especially because of the responsible actions you’ve taken. You’ve worn face coverings, you’ve kept physical distance from others, and you’ve followed the MavCare Pledge. As we head into the fall and then the winter, we must remain vigilant with those proven measures.
Today, I write to inform you of an additional step we are taking to require COVID-19 surveillance testing of randomly selected faculty, staff and students at the Dobbs Ferry, Bronx and Manhattan Campuses. Each week the College will notify a group of individuals that they have been selected for a test. Tarrytown staff may be asked to participate in testing at the Dobbs Ferry Campus. The email will include details about where the test will take place and how to select your time.
The COVID-19 test is a self-administered cheek swab and will take less than 5 minutes to complete. This short video shows you the process. There will be no cost to you for this test; for those who require follow-up testing, the cost will be covered by the College or billed to your health insurance, if applicable.
Individuals who are exclusively working or studying remotely will not be part of the surveillance testing. Not every student or staff member coming to campus will be selected to be tested throughout the year. We appreciate your participation and cooperation.
Should you have any questions, please read our Frequently Asked Questions here or contact the Health Office at healthoffice@mercy.edu.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Tim Hall
President