COVID-19

Pre-arrival testing/screening will not be required.
Students living on campus are welcome to check in to their residence halls anytime between Sunday, Jan. 22 - Tuesday, Jan. 24. Classes begin on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

All students are strongly encouraged to test prior to returning to campus as a precaution.

If any student tests positive within ten days of planned arrival back to campus, they must report the positive result to the Health Center (see instructions below) and stay home to complete isolation. If after day five they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication and no other symptoms are present, isolation may end and a well-fitting mask must be worn when around others for days 6-10. (If symptoms are present after day 5, isolation must continue until fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication and no other symptoms are present.)

• Submitting a positive test to the Health Center:
  Students who test positive must submit at-home/off-campus test results by uploading a screenshot/photo of the results to the online self-reporting tool. Students must write their name, date of birth, and the date the test was taken on the test kit/piece of paper, then take and upload a photo of both the kit and a college or government-issued ID card next to each other when self-reporting a result.

Diagnostic Testing

Testing for those showing symptoms of COVID.

Students: Diagnostic testing for symptomatic students is available at the Health and Wellness Center or at any local pharmacy or health clinic. Students can call the Health Center for an appointment Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at 607-436-3573.

• All students who develop symptoms should go into a precautionary quarantine until test results are returned. Please contact the quarantine & isolation team at 607-436-2077 for assistance and advice on moving to quarantine, both on or off campus.
• If students get a test off campus, they must report the results to the Health Center immediately.
  • Everyone who tests positive must isolate regardless of vaccination status. If a student gets a positive result after the Health Center closes, please report your positive test result to the online self-reporting tool and contact the Health Center (607-436-3573) immediately. Contact the Q&I team for assistance moving to the isolation building if isolating on campus (607-436-2077).

Employees should contact their primary care physician or a local pharmacy/clinic for a test if they develop symptoms, and if the test is positive, they must report it to Human Resources.

Preventative Testing

The on-campus surveillance (pool) testing program and location closed in December 2022. Surveillance testing is no longer required by SUNY or the university at this time. Students and employees who are seeking a test for precautionary reasons can obtain free at-home test kits from the Morris Conference Center or Health Center.

Regular at-home testing for asymptomatic students and employees is encouraged to help prevent COVID from spreading undetected through the campus population.

Students who test positive for COVID are required to report the test to the Health Center.
Employees who test positive for COVID are required to report the test to Human Resources.

Wastewater Testing

During the fall and spring semesters, on-campus wastewater testing will also be conducted to help monitor the positivity level on campus and identify any areas or buildings that may be experiencing an increase in cases.

Important Reminder:

Please note that the testing requirements may change depending on conditions on campus or in the local community, county, region, state, or nation. The university reserves the right to change the testing procedures and/or increase the frequency of testing among the entire campus community (including selection of fully vaccinated individuals on a random basis) at any time. Surveillance testing helps catch asymptomatic cases and can prevent an outbreak.

Effective Jan. 2022, SUNY Oneonta has adopted new guidance on quarantine and isolation using information from the CDC, New York State and the Otsego County Department of Health.

Please note: Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 at any time should self-isolate and seek a diagnostic test as soon as possible. As with any illness, students should contact their primary care provider or the Health Center, and employees should refer to their primary care provider, for guidance on symptoms or treatment.

Isolation:

Isolation is for people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Isolation is the same for everyone regardless of vaccination status. Anyone who tests positive must isolate for a minimum of 5 full days. See below for detailed instructions for various circumstances.

Those with a positive test result must:

• Isolate for 5 days, counting day 0 ​​​​​ of the isolation timeline as the day that symptoms developed or the date the positive test was received - whichever comes first.
• You must isolate until at least the end of day 5.
• If after day 5 you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication and no other symptoms are present, isolation may end and a mask must be worn around others for days 6-10.
  • If symptoms are present after day 5, isolation must continue until fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication and no other symptoms are present.
• A well-fitting mask, preferably N95 or KN95, must be worn anytime around others (except while eating or sleeping) until day 10 of this timeline.
• Immunocompromised individuals should speak to their primary care provider for additional recommendations.
  
  

For further guidance and to report a positive case or close contact:

• Students who test positive should contact the Health Center for guidance in terms of their symptoms and the appropriate quarantine or isolation time.
• Employees should report any positive cases to Human Resources as soon as possible and contact their primary care provider should they have questions about their symptoms.

Quarantine:

Per CDC guidance, quarantine is no longer recommended for those exposed to COVID-19. Regardless of vaccination status, those exposed to COVID-19 should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days post exposure and get tested on day 5.

Quarantine is also for individuals who are symptomatic and awaiting a test result.

Those with symptoms of COVID-19 must:

• Quarantine until negative test result is received or 5 days symptom free, whichever is first.
• It is recommended to wear a well-fitting mask, preferably N95 or KN95, anytime around others (except for eating and sleeping) for 10 days and to take a precautionary test at least 5 days after exposure.
• If the test is positive, these individuals must isolate and are required to follow the guidance above and directions from the Department of Health and the Health Center (students) or Human Resources (employees).

Special Q&I considerations based on residential status:

Residential Students

• Residential students who may have to quarantine or isolate based on the guidance above must do so in the designated quarantine or isolation residence hall. University staff will provide special transportation to the quarantine or isolation hall, where you will have meals prepared and delivered by our catering staff.
• The quarantine and isolation buildings have dedicated staff members. Denison Hall will serve as our isolation hall.
• Symptomatic students, regardless of vaccination status, who live in a residence hall and who cannot schedule a same day appointment with the Health Center or get a rapid test must notify their RD and quarantine in a designated quarantine space until they can make their appointment. Students who do not comply with this directive may be subject to disciplinary actions.

Off-Campus Students & Employees

• Students who live off campus and employees who need to quarantine or isolate according to the guidance above should do so at their residence. See resources for students who are quarantining or isolating off campus.
• Off-campus students are able to quarantine/isolate on campus if preferred/necessary and can contact the Q&I team at 607-436-2077 for assistance on moving into the quarantine or isolation hall.

At this time, masks are optional in most spaces on campus.

Masks are still required in the following scenarios:

• For anyone visiting the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center for any reason.
• After leaving isolation due to COVID, until at least day 11. (Day 1 being the first day after your symptoms began or the first day you tested positive.)
• Any time you are experiencing symptoms that could be COVID, – you should seek a test and self-isolate until you receive the results – when it may be required due to close contact with COVID, or in accordance with quarantine and isolation requirements.

Masks are still welcome on campus and masking indoors is still encouraged.

• When worn, masks should fit snugly to the wearer's face, fully covering the nose and mouth.

Free masks are still available to students and employees:

• KN95, surgical and cloth masks are available at the HuB in the Hunt Union, main desk in Morris Conference Center and at the main desk in Milne Library. Offices and departments can put in a work order to request a supply of surgical or KN95 masks.

While masks are often worn to help protect those around you, they can help protect yourself as well – especially by wearing a KN95 or N95 mask/respirator, which offer the best personal protection.

Those who are exempt/unvaccinated or not yet fully vaccinated/boosted are especially encouraged to wear masks anytime they are around others.

Please continue to carry a mask with you while you're on campus.

• If you are meeting in a one-on-one setting and the other person requests that you wear a mask, please respect that request and continue to act with kindness and care toward your fellow Red Dragons.

It is important to respect others’ individual choice to wear a mask.

• See the "Frequently Asked Questions" below for details about why the mandate was discontinued but masks are still encouraged, and why some people may continue to mask.

SUNY Oneonta will continue to monitor the presence of COVID on campus and reserves the right to make any necessary adjustments in masking and other health and safety guidance as public health conditions or state/SUNY/federal regulations warrant.

Faculty, staff and students may host visitors on campus and inside buildings, with the exception of inside residence halls (see residence hall guidance below). Guests and visitors include anyone who is not a current employee or student at the university who is invited to visit any indoor space on campus, ie: colleagues or visitors attending an in-person meeting, visitors here for a tour of any space or facilities, etc. In-person appointments and meetings are allowed in spaces that can accommodate proper social distancing . Anyone inviting multiple guests to gather or meet together must abide by the most current event capacity limits listed below.

Guests with an appointment or pre-arranged visit are not required to complete a visitor daily health screening at this time. However the visitor health screening is still available as an option if a host would like to take extra precautions. Contact Graig.Eichler@Oneonta.edu for more information on the visitor daily health screening.

Contractors and vendors are required to submit a COVID safety plan to the Facilities, Safety and Planning Office for review.

University community members and visitors are required to continue following the university’s most recent health and safety protocols. Please see specific guidelines for masking, distancing, testing, and vaccination above.

Residence Hall Guest Policy

On-campus residents can host outside guests in their residence hall, provided the guest can supply proof they are fully vaccinated.

• A guest registration form must be completed and submitted to residence life staff. Forms are available in the RA office in each residence hall or in the main office for Residential Community Life in Wilsbach Hall and can be filled out ahead of time, or at the time a guest arrives.
• If the guest is present while the form is being filled out, the residence life staff will have the authority to review the guest’s CDC vaccination card or the excelsior pass to confirm full vaccination (at least two weeks past final dose of vaccine). No other form of vaccine proof will be accepted. Proof of a negative test will not be accepted in place of proof of vaccine.
• If the form is submitted in advance of the guest’s arrival, the guest can send their host a screen shot of their CDC vaccination card or their excelsior pass to be submitted with the form for review by residence life staff.
• Hosts must get their roommate(s) approval before bringing a guest into any living area.
• All guests must follow all federal, state and local laws and university policies as outlined in the residence hall license.
• Guests must always be accompanied by their hosts. Guests may not be left alone inside personal residence hall rooms or common spaces.

Any enrolled student or current faculty/staff will be allowed to visit residential students in their residence hall, including student rooms and public spaces open to residents. University community members should be prepared to show ID and proof of vaccination/testing participation if asked by the residential staff.

Please note, that the policy is subject to change at any time in response to the pandemic’s impact on our campus, local community, or wider region. Any changes will be communicated via email and residence life staff.

Venue Capacity

There are no capacity restrictions for on-campus events. Anyone planning an event is encouraged to use their discretion and can still host events at a reduced capacity if preferred.

Contact Graig Eichler via email or at 607-436-2077 with any questions about on-campus events or venues/spaces.

Masking

Masks are welcome and encouraged for anyone attending events, but not required.

Proof of Vaccination or Negative Test

If an indoor event's attendance is anticipated to be more than 500 people and includes off-campus (non-students or employees) attendees, the event organizer(s) must reach out to the COVID Response Team for risk assessment and determination on whether proof of vaccine/negative test will be required. Events with less than 500 people in attendance, or events with only current students and employees attending, are not required to ask attendees to provide proof of vaccine/negative test.

Private Events

Private/external/outside events are permitted. All events and attendees must follow our guest and visitor protocol and campus events guidance listed on the COVID-19 webpage. Anyone with questions about external events or guests should contact Graig Eichler via email or at 607-436-2077.

As with SUNY Oneonta’s public-health guidance throughout the past year, we will continue to monitor the national, state, and local COVID-19 situation. Guidance will routinely be assessed and adjusted based on risk assessment, regulations, and local community and campus data (vaccination percentage, positivity rate, etc.).

In accordance with current CDC recommendations, SUNY Oneonta’s custodial department will continue to sanitize all high-touch surfaces at least once daily but will revert to traditional cleaning operations consistent with campus standards that were in place prior to the start of the pandemic.

The air handling systems in each building will bring in as much fresh air as possible, and filtration for each system was upgraded to the maximum extent possible. You may notice space temperatures are warmer and/or more humid in the summer and cooler and drier in the winter. This is directly related to the volume of outside air that is being introduced into each area.

Hand sanitizing stations will remain in common areas in all buildings and will be checked/restocked daily. Campus departments can request additional cleaning supplies (wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.). Employees looking for supplies should inquire with their office or department support staff. Supplies will be distributed to departments by work order.

For questions about cleaning supplies, air handling systems and hand sanitizing stations, please reach out to the Office of Facilities, Safety and Physical Plant at facilities@oneonta.edu.

SUNY Oneonta will utilize a phased contingency plan that allows the campus to actively mitigate and respond to different levels of campus -and community-spread. The indicators used for action will include, but aren’t limited to, factors such as the number of positive pools from week to week, the prevalence and intensity of COVID-19 at both on-campus and off-campus wastewater testing sites, symptomatic cases at The Health and Wellness Center, the local positivity rate, and local hospital capacity.

Preventive measures that could be taken include restricting outside visitors at events and in residence halls, shifting to virtual events and activities, changing to takeout dining, and additional measures as needed.

SUNY retains the authority to pause campus activities in cases of increased community transmission.

Courses will be offered in their traditional on-campus (in-person) instruction format for Fall 2022. See the Course Schedule Key and Class Search Page for more information about instruction formats.

Academic continuity plans were established before the start of the academic year so that the institution is prepared to transition to remote instruction if necessary. Additionally, plans will be in place for learning and instruction continuity should faculty and/or staff become ill or otherwise unable to be present. Faculty will build flexibility into courses in case of student illness.

During in-person instruction, faculty, staff and students will be required to adhere to any mask requirements as outlined above. Students will adhere to the classroom behavior guidelines in the Student Code of Conduct. Students who do not comply with the policy will be referred to Community Standards for further action.

​​Student Vaccine Policy:

Fall 2022 & Spring 2023

The SUNY requirement for students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 remains in place. All students who are enrolled in classes and will be regularly accessing any campus facilities need to show proof they have received a full series of a COVID-19 vaccine, or have an approved exemption on file by Aug. 24, 2022.

All students who are taking any in-person classes or using any campus facilities must submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exemption on record in order to remain enrolled.

• New/Incoming Students: Must submit proof of COVID vaccination via the Proof of Immunization Form to the Health Center's student patient portal.
  
• Current/Returning Students: Deadline to submit proof of full vaccination (if haven't done so already) was Aug. 24, 2022.
  • Students who provided proof of vaccination or were approved for an exemption for the 2021-2022 academic year last year, do not need to submit documentation again. You can check that the university has your records on file in the student health patient portal.
  • Current students who need to submit proof of vaccination must upload a copy of their CDC vaccination card to the student health patient portal by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 24, 2022.
• Students who need to get vaccinated can choose to receive any of the three vaccines currently available in the United States. See "Where to Get Vaccinated/Boosted" section below for more information.
• Students who have a fully remote/online schedule and will not be regularly accessing campus facilities are not required to submit proof of vaccination.
• Applications for an exemption to the vaccine requirement will be considered. Exemptions are extremely limited and more information is available on the Health Center webpage.

Booster Information: SUNY's policy for Fall 2022 & Spring 2023 requires only the initial COVID vaccination for students. Students are strongly encouraged to receive all booster doses as soon as they become eligible for them. This will help maximize protection against the virus.

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Students who choose not to get vaccinated by this deadline (Aug. 24, 2022) and do not have an approved exemption on file will be unable to come to campus for any reason — including to attend classes — and will be disenrolled from their classes.

• If a student is not planning to get vaccinated or submit an application for a genuine religious or medical exemption, it may be in their best interest to either complete the withdrawal process or apply for a leave of absence* so they incur as little financial liability as possible.
  • Financial liability is determined by the withdrawal date, and if you wait until the beginning of the semester you will incur full financial liability for tuition and most fees for the semester. The university will follow the standard liability schedules for tuition, fees, room and dining. See SUNY Oneonta’s withdrawal webpage, leave of absence webpage, or SUNY’s tuition and fee liability policy for more information. If you do not complete this semester, your financial aid may also be impacted. Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (finaid@oneonta.edu or 607-436-2532) for more information before making a decision to withdraw or take a leave of absence. If the standard SUNY-authorized refund dates have passed, there will be no refunds for students in these circumstances.
  • *Students requesting a leave of absence must provide proof of vaccination in order to return to campus.

If you have not yet begun the vaccination process, you must make sure you have enough time to receive a full series by Aug. 24, 2022.

Employees:

Employees who are fully vaccinated may voluntarily submit proof of vaccination to the university. Information surrounding SUNY Oneonta's vaccination policy, procedure to submit proof of vaccination, expectations and exemption process can be found below.

Important Reminder:

The vaccine policy and guidance remains subject to change, and the university reserves the right to update the vaccination/booster requirements at any time based on local, regional, state/SUNY or national conditions and/or regulations.

Students

All students must submit proof of being fully vaccinated (two weeks past final dose) by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 24, 2022 in order to remain enrolled.

1. Students can check to see if the university has record of their COVID-19 vaccination/booster the Health Center's student patient portal by logging in and clicking on the “immunization” tab.
2. If you do not see your COVID-19 vaccine/booster listed in your file:
   
   New/Incoming Students: You need to submit proof of COVID vaccination via the Proof of Immunization Form to the the Health Center's student patient portal
   
   Current/Returning Students: Log into the student health patient portal, click the “upload” button on the main menu, and upload a photo of your CDC vaccination card. Please note, we cannot accept documentation from the Excelsior Pass for students, it must be a photo of the CDC vaccination card. By submitting a photo of your vaccination card, you affirm it is accurate and has not been forged or altered in any way, and acknowledge that it is a crime to falsify COVID-19 vaccination information.
   
   Proof of COVID-19 antibodies through test results cannot be used as an alternative to receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Employees

1. Employees can upload a PDF from the Excelsior Pass mobile app or a photo/scan of your vaccination card to the secure COVID Vaccine Proof Employee Form.
2. ​​​Proof may also be provided by taking the original, or a true copy, of your vaccination card or Excelsior Pass .pdf to Human Resources (Netzer room 208 for state employees). By submitting a photo of your vaccination card, you affirm it is accurate and has not been forged or altered in any way, and acknowledge that it is a crime to falsify COVID-19 vaccination information.
3. Human Resources will review all submissions within two business days and notify you of approval status. Should this be the case, please reach out to the appropriate human resources office at the contact information provided in the form.
4. Vaccination information will be confidential and only used by human resources for the purpose of ensuring compliance and other safety measures that differentiate between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees (quarantine guidance, etc).
5. Please direct any questions to Human Resources.

Students living in the United States can get any of the three vaccines currently available in the U.S.: Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen).

International students should try to get vaccinated with one of the above three vaccines. If those are not available to an international student, they should seek to be vaccinated with any of the vaccines currently under emergency authorization by the World Health Organization (WHO).

​​The university is partnering with the Otsego County Department of Health to host booster clinics on campus. Registration is required. These are open to students and employees.

For the new bivalent booster, the CDC has indicated all adults are eligible if it has been at least 2 months from your primary series or last booster. Those with a recent COVID infection may consider delaying their booster for three months from symptom onset or positive test, per CDC guidance.

Please click the link for the date you'd like to register for below and be sure you complete the registration form fully. Dates will continue to be added, please check back regularly if you don't see a date that works for you.

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The CDC has an easy and convenient Vaccine Finder that can help you find a vaccination or booster site at a pharmacy or clinic near you.

In addition, anyone studying, living or working in New York can use the state's Am I Eligible? app or call the state's COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 1-833-697-4829 to request an appointment at any state-run site.

Anyone interested in obtaining their vaccine or booster in Otsego County can check Otsego County’s Department of Health webpage for information regarding local clinics.

The Pfizer/BioNtech and Moderna vaccines have received full FDA authorization. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been granted emergency approval for use by the FDA. The vaccines are safe and effective. Visit the CDC’s website to learn more about the importance of the vaccine and to dispel any myths you may have heard.

All vaccine exemption criteria, forms and deadlines can be found on the Health Center webpage.
Exemptions to the vaccine mandate are extremely limited. Exemption applications are required and will be reviewed for medical or religious considerations, or if a student is enrolled in a fully remote/online program.

Questions pertaining to the exemption process and status of the request should be directed to the Health Center at 607-436-3573 or HealthCenter@oneonta.edu.

Student Exemptions and Campus Policies:

Students who are granted an exemption must follow policies for unvaccinated/vaccination status unknown individuals. Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated students should wear masks indoors at all times and outdoors (when social distancing can’t be maintained), and must quarantine if they come into contact with a positive case (even if asymptomatic) and participate in weekly testing.

Spring 2023:

SUNY/State policy no longer requires surveillance testing for any members of the campus community. Regular at-home testing is encouraged to prevent undetected spread.

Please note that the testing requirements may change depending on conditions on campus or in the local community, county, region, state, or nation. The university reserves the right to increase the frequency of testing among the entire campus community at any time.

Anyone who is symptomatic should seek a test as soon as possible. Students should contact the Health Center and employees should contact their primary care physicians for guidance.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID should get an individual diagnostic (PCR or rapid) test as soon as possible.

Students experiencing symptoms should contact the Health and Wellness Center for a diagnostic test at 607-436-3573.. Diagnostic testing is also available at several local pharmacies or health clinics. NYS Department of Health has a website to help locate off-campus testing options.

Employees should contact their primary care physician or a local pharmacy/clinic for advice and a test if they develop symptoms.

If you test positive for COVID you are required notify the university and follow the instructions provided.

• Students living on campus, taking in-person classes, or accessing campus facilities regularly must contact the Health Center at 607-436-3573 M-F 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. If after business hours, students should contact the Q&I team at 607-436-2077.
• Students who are not accessing campus facilities regularly (ie: home for break, fully remote) should report their positive test to the Health Center as soon as possible by uploading a screenshot/photo/.pdf of the results of a test taken off campus or at home.
• Employees must contact Human Resources.

Regardless of vaccination status, when you're notified that you may have been exposed:

• Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask anytime you're around others for 10 days. If you develop symptoms, you must quarantine until you can get a test.
• Take a test as soon as you develop symptoms or on day five after exposure, whichever comes first.
  • If it is negative, take another test on day 10 or if any symptoms develop.
  • If any tests come back positive, report the result to the university immediately (see the "Diagnostic Testing" section of the COVID-19 webpage for instructions). Take another test on day 10.
• After day 10, if you haven't developed symptoms or tested positive, you no longer have to wear a mask when around others.

Students who test positive outside of the Health Center (while it is closed or while home for a break or weekend) should isolate immediately and then notify the Health Center of your positive result by uploading a screenshot/photo/.pdf of the results of a test taken off campus or at home. You should follow up with the Health Center for advice and next steps on staying up to date with your schoolwork: Health.Center@oneonta.edu, 607-436-3573.

If you are isolating off-campus, you must wait until you have completed the mandatory isolation period before returning to campus.

Students needing assistance with quarantine or isolation on campus can contact the Q&I team at 607-436-2077.

Students can contact the Q&I team at 607-436-2077 for advice and assistance on moving to isolation on or off campus any time of day. Students living on campus can also reach out to their residence hall director for help getting in touch with the Quarantine and Isolation Team.

Students must report their positive test to the Health Center as soon as possible by uploading a screenshot/photo/.pdf of the results of a test taken off campus or at home.

Yes. Use the state's test site finder or purchase a BinaxNOW, FlowFlex, QuickVue, iHealth, or CareStart over-the-counter/ at-home test then report the results of a test taken off campus or at home. Anyone using an at-home test must write their name, date of birth, and the date the test was taken on the test kit or a piece of paper then take and upload a photo of both the kit, paper and a government-issued ID card next to each other to meet the weekly testing requirement.

• Students: Please report your test result to the online self reporting tool and contact the Health Center (607-436-3573) immediately.
• Employees: Report your test result to Human Resources (607-436-2509).

We have additional at-home rapid tests available free of charge to students and employees. You can pick up a free test kit at the Morris Conference Center's front desk Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Morris Conference Center is number 33 on the campus map)

Yes, please see the Quarantine and Isolation section above for full details regarding the quarantine and isolation procedures and location.

If you are unvaccinated and a known close contact of someone who has tested positive, are symptomatic and waiting to get a test, or you waiting for test results, you must quarantine until you receive your negative test results in order to prevent transmitting the virus. Symptomatic students, regardless of vaccination status, who live in a residence hall and who cannot schedule a same day appointment with the Health Center must quarantine in a designated quarantine space until they can make their appointment. Students who do not comply with this directive may be subject to disciplinary actions.

If you live on campus, university staff will transport you to our quarantine residence hall, where you will have meals prepared and delivered by our catering staff. If you live off campus, you must quarantine in your place of residence until you receive a negative test. See resources for students who are quarantining off campus.

Students: If you are fully vaccinated, you can be exempt from quarantining if you were exposed to someone who tests positive or are in a positive pool as long as you are asymptomatic. Students who are symptomatic should contact Graig Eichler at graig.eichler@oneonta.edu or 607-436-2077 for instructions on quarantine and testing. Employees who are symptomatic should contact human resources as well as their primary care provider or their local department of health for instructions on quarantine and testing.

Regardless of vaccination status, if you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should isolate yourself and follow directions provided by the Department of Health. Please cooperate with instructions provided to you and notify anyone who you may have been in contact with.

Students:
If you live on campus, you should isolate in your room until university staff contact you to transport you to our isolation residence hall. There you will have meals prepared and delivered by our catering staff. Health Center staff will be available for tele-health and in-person medical care. Contact the Health Center at 607-436-3573 Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Outside of regular business hours students can contact the Q&I team at 607-436-2077 for advice and assistance on moving to isolation.

If you live off campus you can isolate in your house/apartment, or you are welcome to isolate on campus. Contact the Q&I team at 607-436-2077 for advice and assistance on moving to on-campus isolation.

Yes. Students who can’t safely quarantine or isolate in their off-campus apartment have the option to quarantine or isolate on campus, for a fee. Meals will be delivered and there will be 24-hour staffing. Please contact Graig Eichler at graig.eichler@oneonta.edu or 607-436-2077 any time of day for more information.

All students, on or off-campus, are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 per the SUNY requirement that went into effect after the FDA fully authorized the Pfizer vaccine on Aug. 23, 2021.

Please see the Vaccination Policy & Information section above for full details.

SUNY's policy for Fall 2022 requires only the initial COVID vaccination for students. However, students are strongly encouraged to receive all booster doses as soon as they become eligible for them. This will help maximize protection against the virus.

To ensure we can offer our customary in-person experience, and so all students can complete their academic requirements with as few interruptions or delays as possible, we are taking a proactive approach to get students vaccinated as soon as possible.

The FDA has fully approved the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently approved for emergency use. The vaccines are safe and effective. Individuals who live in close quarters, such as in a residence hall, are at a greater risk of contracting and transmitting COVID-19. Requiring all students who are accessing campus facilities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is the safest way to offer our in-person instruction and experiences.

We are adhering to SUNY's policy mandating student vaccination, and this will ensure we can continue to offer the in-person, residential experience students expect.

Domestic students are fully vaccinated if they have received all required doses of one of the three vaccines currently available with FDA emergency authorization: Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) and are at least two weeks have passed since the final shot.

International students who were unable to receive one of the vaccines under emergency authorization in the U.S. are considered fully vaccinated if they received all required doses of any of the vaccines currently under emergency authorization by the World Health Organization (WHO) and are at least two weeks have passed since the final shot.

The CDC has booster eligibility guidelines for each type of vaccine available in the US listed on their website.

• We need to know the date of your vaccine doses so we can tell when you are fully vaccinated (two weeks past your final dose). You’ll need to participate in weekly testing until you are fully vaccinated. This information is also important to us incase we will ever be required to have booster shots.
• The excelsior pass only tells us if someone is vaccinated or not, it doesn’t provide dates of doses.
• Individuals who have lost their vaccine card, need to contact their vaccination provider or their state department of health to get access to their vaccination record. New Yorkers can call the NYS COVID Vaccination hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829) and they can provide you with a copy of your immunization record, which does have the dates of the doses of your vaccines. You can upload a copy of the immunization record to the student patient portal.
• Those enrolled in v-safe or VaxText after the first vaccine dose, you can access vaccination information using those tools.

Proof of COVID-19 antibodies through test results cannot be used as an alternative to receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals who have recovered from COVID are vulnerable to reinfection, especially with variants like the more contagious Delta variant circulating, and experts do not yet know how long antibodies may protect you from getting sick again. Studies have shown that vaccination provides a strong boost in protection in people who have recovered from COVID-19. Also, getting the vaccine makes it less likely that you will transmit the virus to people who are unable to get vaccinated due to medical reasons or because they are not yet eligible (like children under 12). Read more from the CDC about why to get vaccinated or boosted, even if you've already had COVID.

Getting any boosters you may be eligible for is strongly encouraged.

According to CDC, you can be vaccinated or boosted as long as you have recovered from COVID-19. If you have questions, you should talk to your primary care physician or the health center (for students). You can learn more at CDC’s COVID-19 vaccination FAQ page.

For the new bivalent booster, the CDC has indicated all adults are eligible if it has been at least 2 months from your primary series or last booster. Those with a recent COVID infection may consider delaying their booster for three months from symptom onset or positive test, per CDC guidance.

Only in extremely limited circumstances. See the "Vaccine Exemptions" section above.

Yes. Please check CampusConnection for the most up-to-date event calendar.

Yes. Prospective students and families should contact admissions to set up a campus visit.

All academic and administrative buildings will be unlocked during regular business hours. Residence halls will remain locked with card access for only the necessary students or employees. Please note that this may change depending on conditions on campus or in the local community and county. The university reserves the right to activate card access at any point and will communicate any changes via email.

Yes. Campus dining is offering their traditional mix of dine-in and takeout services, and Starbucks and other retail dining venues will be open.

Starbucks and Red Dragon Outfitters is open to the public, with operating hours posted on the OAS website.

Yes, students living on campus are allowed to host guests in their residence hall, provided the guest can supply proof they are fully vaccinated. However, this is subject to change at any time based on infection rates on campus or locally.

See full residence hall guest policy in the "Campus Guests & Visitors" section above.

Yes. Please see the full guest and visitor and residence hall guest policies in the "Campus Guests & Visitors" section above.

SUNY Oneonta still welcomes the use of masks or face coverings while indoors, but it is no longer mandated as we follow new guidance from the CDC and New York State. Individuals should mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk.

Over 96% of students are vaccinated and any that are exempt are required to test regularly. At this time, we feel comfortable allowing individuals to make their own decision regarding whether or not to wear a mask.

This is subject to change and we are constantly monitoring the level of transmission and positivity rate on campus. Any changes will be communicated via email.

Some members of our community may choose to continue wearing a mask due to personal circumstances or preferences. Reasons someone may choose to continue to wear a mask may include that they or someone they live with are immunocompromised and they want to protect themselves from contracting COVID or other viruses, they may be preparing for a trip where they have to test negative to board a plane or enter another country, they may be recovering from an illness or have a cold or virus that isn’t COVID and are being respectful of their friends and neighbors, and many more.

At this time, those who have not been vaccinated or received their vaccine booster are strongly encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask anytime they are around others. Students and employees who are exempt/unvaccinated are required to test regularly for COVID.

SUNY has indicated they will be disabling their online COVID-19 tracker after Sept. 9, 2022.

Students and employees are still required to report positive tests to the university (see the "Diagnostic Testing" section above for instructions) and we will continue keep track of positive cases and their required isolation periods.

The daily health screening is no longer required for students or employees.

We do, however, encourage everyone to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 and should quarantine in place and call a healthcare provider. Employees should contact their primary care physician, and students can contact the Health Center at 607-436-3573 for consideration of diagnostic testing. If the Health Center is closed, and you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please see the Emergencies and After Hours Concerns page for a list of local resources.

Hand sanitizing stations will remain in common areas in all buildings and will be checked/restocked daily. Campus departments can request additional cleaning supplies (wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.). Employees looking for supplies should inquire with their office or department support staff. Supplies will be distributed to departments by work order.

For questions about cleaning supplies, air handling systems and hand sanitizing stations, please reach out to the Office of Facilities, Safety and Physical Plant at facilities@oneonta.edu.

We are living through an unprecedented time in history and it has caused great disturbance in most people’s lives. Managing added responsibilities and restrictions, or being quarantined or isolated, can add stress at an already difficult time. The SUNY Oneonta community is here to help you. If you are struggling, you can request a check-in from the university using the Dragon Care Check-In form. The Counseling Center or your residence hall director can also connect you to support services.

The Counseling Center has created a list of online resources for learning to cope with the anxiety and stress of these trying times:

• Self-guided relaxation exercises.
• Protecting Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Helpful Coping Strategies for Dealing with Anxiety and Stress Related to COVID - Dr. Russ Harris
• Tips for Taking Care of Your Mental Health - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Association
• Managing Mental Health During COVID - The Jed Foundation
• Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook - The Wellness Society

If you are located in Otsego County and need to speak with a licensed counselor immediately, please call the 24-hour Otsego County Mobile Crisis Assessment Team at 1-844-732-6228.

Faculty and staff can reach out to the Employee Assistance Program for referrals and resources.

Student Emergency Fund - The Student Emergency Fund provides grants for SUNY Oneonta students to pay for urgent expenses triggered by unforeseen events that threaten their ability to stay enrolled. If you are experiencing a hardship due to the unexpected changes connected to the Coronavirus, the student emergency fund may be able to help.

Student Emergency Grants - SUNY Oneonta will receive funds through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) to be disbursed in the form of emergency grants to eligible students. Eligible students will receive an email from EmergencyRelief@oneonta.edu with further information about assistance and details about the disbursement process. More information about these grants is available on the HEERF Student Aid Funds page. Questions about relief grants should be directed to EmergencyRelief@oneonta.edu.