On March 8, the Hamilton administration informed students that the College would be changing its operating status to “COVID Normal (Green).” This is a step in the right direction from the college’s previous “COVID Standard (Blue)” operating status.
This final transition into Green status signifies the student body and the College’s success at adhering to the College’s COVID guidelines and maintaining a COVID safe campus. Under Green status, parents are now allowed to visit campus while remaining outside. The Green status continues to limit indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 25. With the change, Hamilton students gain significant freedoms that have not been available this semester, such as being allowed to leave campus and travel to Clinton and New Hartford. Many students took advantage of the new status, along with the warm weather, this past week by walking to Clinton for coffee or taking a long-awaited drive. Under Green status, parents are now allowed to visit campus while remaining outside.
Many students have discussed the overall improvement in student life under Green status. Katie Powell ’24 describes life under Green status as “so much more fun with new freedom.” She loves exploring the surrounding area as a first-year and trying all the different food options. So far, her favorite has been Utica Coffee in Clinton. Additionally, Powell mentioned how much she enjoyed last Saturday’s doubleheader baseball game against Williams: “It was so exciting to be at my first Hamilton sports game and watch with all my friends.” With the return of athletics and the ability to leave campus, Green status now allows first-years to get a glimpse into what Hamilton’s student life was like before the pandemic.
With the return of competition for spring sports and many Hamilton faculty, staff and students now receiving COVID vaccines, there seems to be a mounting hope among the community that a sense of normalcy on campus will soon return. Until then, our community must continue to remain diligent in our efforts to keep our campus safe by getting tested, wearing our masks, and following COVID protocol. Hopefully, Hamilton can maintain Green status, as it marks a positive entry into spring.
