The Rensselaer student-athlete community understands the health risks associated with COVID-19, and we are thankful that the institute is putting the health and safety of the community above all other concerns.  However, we feel that the science shows that with proper protocols in place, it is safe for athletic competitions and other campus activities to take place.  Some of the information that we base this claim on includes:

·       New York State Department of Health guidelines began allowing for outdoor athletic competitions last fall, and beginning February 1, this included indoor and high-risk sports.

·       Rensselaer County supports the return of scholastic sports, including high-risk sports.

·       The most vulnerable members of the community are being vaccinated at a high rate, with Dr. Anthony Fauci predicting that by April, “virtually everybody and anybody in any category could start to get vaccinated.”

·       The majority of other Liberty League institutions such as Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester, Union College, Skidmore College, and Ithaca College have already announced their intention to participate in spring athletic competition while following the established protocols.

·       Research done on college and professional sports teams shows no evidence that COVID-19 is spread during outdoor on-field play, due to the limited amount of time that players are in close contact with one another during competition.

With the thorough COVID-19 protocols that Rensselaer has in place, along with the Liberty League return-to-play protocols, which include testing before competitions, contact tracing, sanitation, and masks, we feel that the risks of COVID-19 are sufficiently mitigated.  Canceling spring athletics for the second season in a row will have a devastating effect on the mental health of our athletics community.  Rensselaer student-athletes have all dedicated much of our lives toward being able to compete at this level and to represent this institution, and a decision not to play for the 2nd year in a row would mean missing 50% of our seasons. 

Science also shows that being unable to participate in campus activities has been harmful to the mental health of young people.  A lack of availability of activities on the Rensselaer campus is causing loneliness, depression, and stress among all students, not just varsity athletes.  This includes music, exercising at the Mueller Center, clubs, and volunteering organizations, to name only a few.  The student-athlete community supports not only the return of athletics but the return of all campus activities that can be done safely with social distancing and masks.

Sign this petition to support the Rensselaer student-athletes’ movement to join Liberty League competition, and to bring back campus activities for the entire Rensselaer community!