"Our individual behaviors can literally save lives."

Dear students,

What a time this is to be a college student! Our collective ability to respond to the call to action in the face of societal injustice, tackle social challenges, partake in the important work of our times, and continue scholarly work in myriad fields that directly affect humankind hinges on our individual actions. It is in this place, during this historic time, that you will develop the character and conviction that will be deeply held as your beacon for behavior and choice in all the days forward. 

Over the last few weeks, we have shared information about the important, science-based protocols in place to ensure a safe re-entry to on-campus life. Our goal is to mitigate the danger COVID-19 poses to our fellow students, faculty, staff, and neighbors. Never before has individual decision-making and behavior been so vital to the collective. Our individual behaviors can literally save lives. 

We’re in the process of having everyone sign the Nazareth Community Pledge in support of the comprehensive plan outlined in Our Way Forward. It is a serious commitment undertaken with careful consideration by each and every one of us. 

While the program is sweeping and vigilant, so too will be our enforcement. The enforcement of our safety protocols is a necessary part of ensuring that our commitment to an on-campus experience proceeds on behalf of all students. We will be rigorously monitoring to ensure that the protocols are followed by all. Violators will be subject to our student conduct code process,  through which students may be subjected to one or more of the sanctions listed in our code; including suspension and expulsion. 

Our Nazareth College community is leading the way! As we start our fall semester, the world will be watchful of our behavior and ability to adhere to the rules to keep our friends, family, neighbors, and college community safe from COVID-19. It is an enormous responsibility.

I am so inspired by how the full community is coming together, eager to do its part.

For your part, it is not easy changing behaviors — not easy remembering to employ the safeguards, not easy to behave in new ways, not easy to forgo the “normal,” to shift the way we interact. 

But do it we must. 

It is my hope and expectation that the Nazareth Community’s unified sense of care for each other, selflessness, and a legacy of goodwill and greater purpose will continue to prevail this fall. It is, in large measure, because of this that Nazareth has joined a brave contingent of colleges and universities which have determined that the rewards of reopening on behalf of our students far outweigh the potential risks — that we can come together safely and responsibly. We’re counting on each and every one of you to do your part in proving this correct.

We can do this!

President Beth Paul, Ph.D.

Nazareth College