August 26, 2020

To the Yale College community,

I am writing to report that viral screening required of all students enrolled in residence has returned the first positive result of a Yale College student on campus. The student is asymptomatic, is resting comfortably, and is in isolation housing that has been designated for students as they test positive for the virus throughout the semester. Contact tracers have notified the relevant authorities and everyone who has been in close contact with the student. Protocols in place for bringing students back to campus are working as they should.

Nevertheless, this is a moment to stress the importance for everyone in the community to comply with testing and quarantine requirements; follow the practices of physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and wearing face coverings; and abide by the terms of the community compact, which all students enrolled in residence must sign as a condition for returning to campus. Although I will not be writing to announce future positive results, the university's statistics about COVID-19 are publicly available here, and its health and safety guidelines are available here.

This Friday, August 28, at 5:00 p.m. EDT, I will be hosting an online discussion of the opening of Yale College, including preparations for COVID-19, along with campus officials. I invite you to join us. A link to the discussion, which is open to all Yale College students and their families, will be available on Yale College's FAQ page. It will also be recorded. If you have a question, you can submit it beforehand by clicking here.

I thank the faculty and staff for their efforts to prepare the campus to open as smoothly as it has and to welcome students back with such a successful move-in week. I look forward to starting the semester with you all.

Sincerely,

Marvin M. Chun
Dean of Yale College
Richard M. Colgate Professor of Psychology; Neuroscience; Cognitive Science