St. Olaf College has established a color-coded series of alert levels intended to inform the college community about the level of risk posed by the COVID-19 virus to our community. The alert levels correspond with different levels of operational response and guidance to the community. Each of these levels builds upon our existing mitigation measures identified in the community pledge and community standards.
The alert levels are defined by a set of indicators that include cases on campus and in Rice County, availability of isolation and quarantine beds, and the level of unknown case exposure (those cases that cannot be traced to a specific source). Additional factors affecting alert level determination include any new or modified Governor’s Executive Orders, updated guidance from the MDH and CDC, travel availability and restrictions, faculty and staff availability to provide academic programs and essential services as well as access to critical supplies and testing. Changes in alert levels will always be informed both by data and by our judgment of current conditions. The College will be prepared to move quickly from any level of alert to the highest level if necessary.
St. Olaf College is currently in Reopening Phase 5: Quarantine Ends/Fall and Semester Continues. As of September 3, this page will be updated daily with our current alert level.
Current Level
Alert Levels
More detailed information about the indicators and response level is available. Download Now
Click on the levels below to review a summary of the indicators and requirements.
GREEN – LOW ALERT
Indicators:
Low Transmission Levels
< 1% of campus students infected within a 14-day periodContacts are able to be identified at the time of interview< 10 cases per 10,000 over 14-day period in Rice County< 50% isolation and quarantine beds are fullOther key factors:
Guidelines from the Governor, MDH and CDC support in-person/hybrid classesHealthcare resources are availableStaff and faculty are availableCritical supplies and testing are available
Requirements:
COMMUNITY STANDARDS REQUIRED: Daily symptom checking, face coverings required indoors and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained, hand washing, and physical distancing required.Classes Classes in-person and hybrid or remote.Athletics, Music, Clubs and Other Student Activities
Approved activities including rehearsals, practices with mitigation measures in place.
Social Gatherings (excludes classrooms and structured events/meetings)
Limited to 10 attendees indoors and 25 attendees outdoors.
Events
Must be pre-approved. Outdoor events must not exceed 250 people and indoor events need to operate at 25% capacity with no more than 250 people in one area.
Campus
Residence Halls are open to inter-campus visits.
Students are encouraged to stay on campus, however they are allowed to leave to socialize or work in surrounding communities while following the community standards.
Approved visitors and essential service providers only.
All buildings are open and functioning, but in some cases stricter access.
All on-campus dining areas are restricted to students only.
Travel
Continued restrictions on travel of students, faculty and staff.
YELLOW – MEDIUM ALERT
Indicators:
Medium Transmission Levels
1-3% of campus students infected within a 14-day period> 5% of cases have unknown links over a 7-day periodCases in Rice County are on the rise over 7-day period10-30 cases per 10,000 over 14-day period in Rice County50-75% isolation and quarantine beds are fullOther key factors: Changes in guidance from the MDH and CDCHealthcare resources are decreasingStaff and faculty availability is decreasing
Critical supplies and testing availability is decreasing
Responses:
COMMUNITY STANDARDS REQUIRED:
Daily symptom checking, face coverings required indoors and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained, hand washing, and physical distancing required.Classes Classes in-person and hybrid or remote.Athletics, Music, Clubs and Other Student Activities
Decrease in approved activities, practices and rehearsals.
Social Gatherings (excludes classrooms and structured events/meetings)
Limited to 10 attendees indoors and 25 attendees outdoors.
Events
Must be pre-approved. Outdoor events must not exceed 250 people and indoor events need to operate at 25% capacity with no more than 250 people in one area.
Campus
Residence Halls are open to inter-campus visits.
Students are encouraged to stay on campus, however they are allowed to leave to socialize or work in surrounding communities while following the community standards.
Essential service visitors only.
All buildings are open and functioning, but in some cases stricter access.
All on-campus dining areas are restricted to students only.
Travel
Continued restrictions on travel of students, faculty and staff.
ORANGE – HIGH ALERT
Indicators:
High Transmissions Levels> 3% of campus students infected within a 14-day period< Cases continue to rise in Rice County> 30 cases per 10,000 over 14-day period in Rice County> 75% isolation and quarantine beds are fullOther key factors: Changes in guidance from the MDH and CDCHealthcare resources are decreasingStaff and faculty availability is decreasing
Critical supplies and testing availability is decreasing
Responses:
COMMUNITY STANDARDS ELEVATED:
Move to twice daily symptom checking, face coverings, hand washing, and physical distancing.Classes Move to full remote learning.Athletics, Music, Clubs and Other Student Activities
Practices and rehearsals are canceled. Increase in virtual activities.
Virtual Gatherings and Events Only
Campus
Students have the option to go home to learn remotely. Students who remain on campus will need to seek approval for off-campus trips.
Students restricted to residence halls and immediate outdoor areas.
Residence halls are closed to inter-campus visits. For exercise, students will be allowed to solo walk/run the Natural Lands or on campus grounds.
Essential staff only on-campus. No student work except essential positions and remote.
Limited access to campus buildings.
Increase in grab and go options. Residence halls will eat together at appointed times.
Travel
Continued restrictions on travel of students, faculty and staff.
RED – VERY HIGH ALERT
Indicators: Transmissions have exhausted College’s resourcesNo improvement in High Transmission Level after two weeksShelter in place order from the Governor
Responses:
Evacuate the campus with the exception of students who cannot return home and move to minimal essential staff.Restrict access to campus.