Misc.10.08.2020

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The Miscellany News October 8, 2020

miscellanynews.org

Vassar College’s student newspaper of record since 1866 Volume 154 | Issue 6

Uptick in COVID-19 cases sparks campus-wide concern Lucille Brewster

Assistant News Editor

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fter two weeks of zero active COVID-19 cases on campus, members of the Vassar community were shocked to see the Vassar Together online dashboard report five new cases on Sept. 25. President Elizabeth Bradley shortly thereafter sent an email explaining that the five students who had tested positive for COVID-19 were isolated. Bradley wrote that contact tracers identified 10 close contacts of those who tested positive, but that the test results did not seem to be connected to a single event. No one was more shocked by the test results than the students who tested positive. One such student (who asked to stay anonymous due to privacy concerns) said they were confused by the results because they had been cautious and were following all the rules, such

as staying on campus and not attending unmasked gatherings. They explained that the contact tracers also expressed disbelief about the results—none of the students were experiencing symptoms, the students who tested positive were not in close contact with each other and they all testified to following safety precautions. Dean of the College Carlos Alamo-Pastrana elaborated, “We do not know how these students may have gotten exposed. Contact tracing and our investigation showed that they do not live in the same house, do not have classes in common and all attest that they have not left campus. It is because of this that we investigated these cases.” Matters were further complicated when the students who tested positive were retested. The anonymous student confirmed that they See Cases on page 3

The Alumnae House, pictured above, where some students who tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 25 were required to isolate. Many believe these cases to be instances of false positive test results. Via Wikimedia Commons..

Student bands play sunset concert Nina Ajemian

Assistant Arts Editor

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Nina Ajemian/The Miscellany News.

he sky over Noyes Circle is a perfect, clear blue. Puffy clouds are slowly washed over in pink with the setting sun, and excitement pulses in the chilly fall air. The dry grass is dotted with concertgoers peacefully lounging on picnic blankets. They’re here for the music, but they’re also here for that indescribable feeling of closeness that only an outdoor concert can provide. On Friday, Oct. 2, Vassar’s Student Music Union (StuMu) organized an evening concert on Noyes Circle with performances from The Morning Moon, yarn

and Alouette n da Boyz, as well as a set from DJ The Ghost of Allen Ginsberg. Pre-quarantine, Vassar’s music scene was flourishing. Alex Koester ’23 (Alouette n da Boyz) detailed: “There was really something being built with the Tiny Desk concerts, with the art TH, with so many great bands on campus…And this year, it kind of seems like we’re piecing it back together and…I think we’re doing a good job at it, but it’s been more of a challenge to continue all this crazy progress that was made last year.” Alouette Batteau ’23 (Alouette n da Boyz) added, “Last year it was

kind of just growing exponentially, and I think everyone was getting so excited and then it kind of just was killed with quarantine.” Friday’s concert, however, was reminiscent of last year’s music scene. Sitting on the grass listening to the bands, it was easy to forget that just earlier this semester, a gathering like this would not have been possible. Instead, I was transported back to last year, to a time when life was less complicated and when crowds of people were something to flock towards, not shy away from. This sentiment was shared by See Concert on page 5

Amid a strong fall semester, Vassar looks to the spring Olivia Watson News Editor

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s campus settles into a new normal with a consistently low COVID-19 case count, the Vassar administration is looking to the spring semester and preparing for the unique challenges of the winter season. In a recent email to the student body, President Elizabeth Bradley asked for students’ feedback on three potential plans for next semester. Plan A entails students returning in late January and potentially beginning classes exclusively on Zoom until the weather warms. Plan B would include students staying home and participating in classes remotely until the end of February, at which point students would

Inside this issue

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ARTS

A 1970s art collection offers a glimpse into Vassar’s past

return for in-person classes. Plan C would have students stay off campus until March, and then return for a delayed semester with in-person classes. For Plan C, graduation would also shift back to mid-June. An additional email detailed a fourth option, one in which students would move in during mid-February, begin classes in late-February, and then finish classes on time to have graduation on May 31. While the current three phase plan and ongoing social-distancing restrictions seem to have proved successful for the fall semester. Dean of the College Carlos Alamo-Pastrana shared that the forthcoming cold weather and flu season will present novel complications.“Weather is a

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significant factor in the considerations of a plan for the spring, given how important outdoor space was during our return this fall semester in allowing our students to eat safely with roommates or meet in small groups,” said Alamo-Pastrana.He continued, “We are also still in flu season during January and February, so that is something else that we need to consider. Right now, students who present with flu-like symptoms are treated similarly to a positive COVID case until they are cleared through testing. This can potentially strain some of our systems. Given all of this, our key Throughout the fall semester, Vassar has successfully used outdoor tent challenge here is how to balance classrooms to facilitate safe and socally-distanced in-person learning. But starting at a reasonable date while these spaces may be unfeasible in the spring semester due to colder weather. still working to preserve the physiGrace Rousell/The Miscellany News. See Spring on page 4

Procrastinating writer advises on how to (literally) HUMOR hide from your responsibilities

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Vassar’s about to change some rules. Why mess OPINIONS with a good thing?


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