Dear Colgate Community Members,

The events of the past week have deeply affected this nation and have touched many members of our community. The terrible violence at the Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh, the shooting that took place in Kentucky after a failed attempt by the gunman to enter a black church, and the pipe bombs mailed to political leaders, media outlets, and others are direct attacks on the highest values of this nation and the Colgate community. On behalf of the Colgate community, I want to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the congregations and families affected.

Our collective work as educators, teachers and learners is ever more important during these difficult times. It is our essential work, and our contribution to the world. All of us at this university contribute to supporting, creating, and transmitting knowledge. We seek to do so with care, humility, empathy and understanding. We seek to know truth, and to align ourselves with its pursuit. In doing so, we are developing leaders needed to repair the rifts that are currently dividing our country. While we still experience divisions, tension, and failures of community, we must continue to do the hard work necessary to help create a world less driven by fear, ignorance and hatred. This aspiration is at the very heart of our identity as an institution of higher education and a residential academic community.

Let us acknowledge and applaud how the Colgate Jewish Union and other organizers of the candlelight vigil this week composed a program that was steadfast in answering hatred with care, division with community, and violence with a brave faith in humanity. Their efforts epitomize how this Colgate community faces adversity and comes together at a time of profound tragedy and loss.

Sincerely,
Brian W. Casey
President

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The Colgate Inn will be under the management of Charlestowne Hotels starting July 1.

Current staff members of the inn will be invited to continue working as employees of Charlestowne Hotels.

The new agreement is a result of a thorough evaluation of options for future management of the inn. The university conducted this review as part of a continued effort to evaluate long-standing contracts to ensure that our friends, family, and neighbors are receiving the very best of what the market has to offer. The selection committee unanimously selected Charlestowne Hotels from a strong pool of applicants due to the company’s extremely successful experience in operating similar university-affiliated lodging destinations, and for their tailored, community-focused approach to hotel management.

“I want to thank members of the committee who reviewed the strong proposals that were submitted to operate the inn. We know that, under Charlestowne Hotels, Hamilton’s premier lodging destination will continue to make Colgate alumni, parents, and friends feel at home when they visit campus,” said Joseph Hope, Colgate vice president for finance and administration. “We are working closely with the Charlestowne team on a seamless transition. As a member of the local community, I am also confident that Charlestowne will ensure that residents of Hamilton will continue to feel at home at the inn whether enjoying lunch or dinner, a drink in the tavern or attending a function hosted by the inn and its caring staff.” Hope continued, “I would like to thank Ben Eberhardt for his management of the inn over several years.”

Founded in 1980, Charlestowne Hotels has a wealth of experience operating small inns and lodges, with a number of properties near college campuses, including: The Autumn Inn, Northampton, Mass., Hotel Indigo Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, Ala., Inn at Carnall Hall, Fayetteville, Ark., The Abernathy, Clemson, S.C., The Inn at Elon, Elon, N.C., The Sewanee Inn, Sewanee Tenn., Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest, Ill., The Collector Inn & Gardens, St. Augustine, and the French Quarter Inn, Charleston, S.C.

Charlestowne Hotels regularly receive industry accolades on Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List and Readers’ Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, and top standings on TripAdvisor. Charlestowne properties are known for becoming cornerstones of pride in their respective communities.

“We are very thankful to have been selected by the university. From the beautiful geography of upstate New York to the inn’s affiliation with one of the nation’s top liberal arts schools, the Colgate Inn is a perfect reflection of the locale, the university, and is also a source of civic pride. The inn and the restaurant are important parts of Hamilton — and we are honored to have the opportunity to be a part of their story,” said Charlestowne President and Chief Operating Officer Michael W. Tall. “We pride ourselves on the quality of service we provide to the communities we join, and we especially look forward to welcoming Colgate Inn employees to our Charlestowne team.”

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Dear members of the Colgate community:

Over the last several weeks, many have been working hard to expand the access, visibility, and resources available to individuals of all gender identities. I am grateful for these efforts and write to share an update.

Personal Gender Pronouns: Personal pronoun usage is a way that people express gender. Presently, Colgate’s preferred name service allows individuals to identify their preferred first name when it differs from their legal name. Now, in an expansion of this service, individuals can also indicate their preferred personal gender pronoun on the portal. Preferred names and personal pronouns will both be visible in the Colgate viewbook, course rosters, and online dashboards used by administrative deans, faculty, and coaches and others.

One way we can all play a part in the ongoing work of creating an inclusive campus climate is by normalizing the visibility of gender identities and expressions. I invite all members of our community to log on to the Colgate Portal and use the drop-down menu in order to share your personal gender pronouns. These screen shots of the portal demonstrate where this information can be entered and the options available for both staff and for students.

Education & Training: All members of the community are encouraged to attend a Safe Zone workshop offered by the Office of LGBTQ Initiatives. The next training will be held at the Center for Women’s Studies at 7 pm onApril 5. The office also offers educational materials on the gender binary, including this guide to gender pronounsand an FAQ.

Facilities & Infrastructure: Gender-inclusive restrooms have been installed throughout campus, and plans are underway to include gender-inclusive restrooms in new buildings and schedule spaces to be renovated.

Support: In Fall 2015, the Counseling Center expanded its offerings of therapeutic and peer-support groups to complement its individual counseling support for students who may be exploring sexuality, gender, and intersectionality of identities.

Programming: Queerfest, an annual showcase of programs and events that highlight the diversity of LGBTQ identities and lives is currently going on and will continue through April 6. Sponsored by a variety of campus departments and student organizations such as Advocates and Lambda, Queerfest includes an art exhibit, drag show, and national speakers. For more information, please contact advocates@colgate.edu.

These programs and services are among the ways in which Colgate aspires to make our campus more welcoming and supportive for all of community members. Special thanks to Assistant Dean and Director of LGBTQ Initiatives, khristian kemp-delisser (kkempdelisser@colgate.edu) and the work of many individuals who have contributed to these and other initiatives.

Sincerely,
Suzy M. Nelson
Vice President and Dean of the College

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We know that students, as well as faculty and staff members, may be traveling to southern areas during the upcoming Spring Break. Since May 2015, there has been an increasing incidence of Zika virus infections, in 50 countries and territories located in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. The purpose of this note is to review the current health concerns regarding the Zika virus and refer you to resources for questions you might have.

Key facts about Zika virus

• The virus is transmitted primarily by the bite of mosquitoes.
• It can also be spread by a man to his sex partners.
• Approximately 80 percent of those infected show no outward symptoms; severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon.
• Researchers believe the incubation period to be a few days to a week.
• Typical symptoms include fever, achiness, headache, and nausea; occasionally, rash and conjunctivitis (pinkeye).
• Treatment for symptoms includes over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Symptoms resolve within a few days.
• There is no available vaccine, nor any preventive or treatment medication.

Key concerns about Zika virus

Some infected people will have serious complications, including significant neurologic problems. There is also mounting evidence of a connection between Zika virus infection during pregnancy and a serious birth defect called microcephaly, which affects the developing brain.

Precaution recommendations and information resources

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have not placed a travel ban to affected countries, the following guidelines and information are offered.

• For all traveling to regions of concern:
  • The key protective measure is Mosquito bite prevention
  • Travel health
  • About Zika virus
• Enhanced precautions regarding pregnancy

Please call the Student Health Center (315-228-7750) if you have any questions or concerns. Safe travels. We hope you come back with memories and good health.

Merrill L. Miller, M.D.
University Physician

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Dear Members of the Colgate Community:

Colgate’s annual observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. week will coincide with the start of the spring semester (January 18th-22nd). Thomas Cruz-Soto, Associate Dean of Campus Life, and the MLK Planning Committee have arranged a very compelling week of activities, involving our own students, faculty, and staff, as well as distinguished outside visitors. Faculty may wish to consider these events as they plan spring semester course syllabi. For a detailed list of events for the week, please view the attached document and our webpage. In the new year, you can use the Colgate mobile app and tap the MLK Week (I have a Dream) Icon to see information about the events.

Sincerely,

Constance Harsh
Interim Dean of the Faculty and Provost

Suzy Nelson
Vice President and Dean of the College

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Dear Colgate students, faculty, and staff:

This is a time of great sorrow for Colgate, and our hearts go out to the families and friends of Ryan Adams ’19 and Cathryn (Carey) Depuy ’19.

We are a community; and as a community we gain consolation and strength from our bonds. We should take the opportunity today, and in the days that follow, to be kind to each other; to ask for help if we need it, and give help to others; and to give thanks for the precious and fragile gift of life.

We will gather as a community tonight on the quad, in front of the chapel, for a candlelight vigil at 7:30 p.m. We will stand together as part of the greater Colgate community, both on and off campus, across distance and across generations, a community of which Ryan and Carey will always be a part.

The counseling center (315-228-7385) is open and available to Colgate students. As always, counseling is available to members of the faculty and staff through the Employee Assistance Program (315-451 2161).

In light of this tragedy, some of this week’s campus events will be postponed or cancelled. Please consult the campus calendar for updates. Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date in consultation with the Adams and Depuy families.

Jill Harsin
Interim President

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Dear members of the campus community:

It is with deep sadness that I share the tragic news that two students, Cathryn (Carey) Depuy ’19 and Ryan Adams ’19, both of Ridgefield, Conn., died this afternoon in a plane crash in Morrisville, N.Y. after taking off from Hamilton Municipal Airport. We have been in contact with both students’ families. No further details are available at this time.

For Colgate students affected by this difficult news, counseling center and chaplain’s office staff members (315-228-7385) will be available in Judd Chapel on the lower level of Memorial Chapel this evening. Tomorrow, the counseling center (315-228-7385) will be open and available to Colgate students. As always, counseling is available to members of the faculty and staff through the Employee Assistance Program (315-451-2161).

In light of this tragedy, some of Monday’s campus events will be postponed or cancelled. Please consult the campus calendar for updates.

A community vigil will be held at Colgate Memorial Chapel at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening.

Sincerely,

Suzy M. Nelson
Vice President and Dean of the College

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