Ensuring a healthy fall semester

Dear CLC students,

Whether you are returning to campus or this is your first semester, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to Central Lakes College! As we prepare for the start of fall semester on August 22, your continued health and safety continue to be our highest priorities.

We are pleased to share that our collective efforts to maintain public health at CLC have been successful. Following recommended protocols of vaccination and boosters, testing when appropriate and ensuring individuals continue to monitor their health and stay home when sick have proven critical to maintaining our signature on-campus experience.

Please support the Raider community by being mindful of the following:

• Although face coverings will not be required when you return to campus, depending upon your unique circumstances, masking might be a good option for some of you.
• Central Lakes College will not require vaccination, but will continue to recommend that students, faculty and staff stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine, as defined by the CDC. And while the current status of the pandemic allows us to lessen restrictions, we must remain flexible should public health conditions change.
• We must continue to stay vigilant and follow mitigation efforts of staying home when sick, washing your hands and monitoring guidance from health officials. If you have symptoms of any kind, we recommend that you take a free Covid-19 test. If you test positive, please stay home and immediately notify your instructors and Joy Larson at joy.larson@clcmn.edu.
• Testing and vaccination are available at no charge on both the Brainerd and Staples campuses. Please visit the COVID-19 page on the CLC website for updates on testing and vaccination information: www.clcmn.edu/covid-19/
• If you have questions about COVID-19, please email covid19@clcmn.edu

We are happy to have you on our campuses. Together, we will have a great fall semester!

Sincerely,
Dr. Hara Charlier, CLC President

Prevention suggestions from the CDC to help protect yourself and others from COVID-19: 

Get vaccinated and stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.
Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public in areas where the COVID-19 Community Level is high, regardless of vaccination status.
Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds.
Test to prevent spread to others.
Wash your hands often. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Clean high touch surfaces regularly or as needed and after you have visitors in your home. If someone is sick or has tested positive for COVID-19, disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
Monitor your health daily.

Self care: 

If you have possible or confirmed COVID-19:
Stay home except to get medical care.
Monitor your symptoms.
Get tested as soon as possible after your symptoms start.
Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
If you are sick, wear a well-fitting mask.