We have news tonight for students seeking to stay on campus, return to campus or retrieve their belongings from campus, as SUNY Morrisville seeks to lessen the spread of COVID-19, or the coronavirus, and prepare for remote learning only, beginning Monday, March 30.
We are strongly encouraging all students who have other suitable housing options other than SUNY Morrisville to thoroughly consider leaving campus as soon as possible. Similarly, we strongly discourage students returning to campus and ask them to reconsider.
Students with extenuating circumstances, such as lack of housing or food security elsewhere, or who do not have reliable access to the internet or accompanying technology, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to remain on or return to campus.
Beginning at noon Thursday, March 19, students will be allowed to return to campus to collect their belongings, if they are choosing to leave campus housing for the remainder of the spring semester.
Retrieval will be open Thursday, from noon to 7 p.m., and Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Students will need to bring their swipe cards to access the halls, and will have express checkout available by the Resident Assistants Office after clearing their rooms. Please contact Residence Life ahead of time, so they can turn on swipe card access and be prepared for student arrival.
Because of limited personnel and social distancing protocol, there will be no campus personnel or equipment to assist with any move out. Students will need to bring their own assistance with them. We ask that everyone practice social distancing, staying at least six feet apart as much as possible, and regularly wash their hands, cough into sleeves rather than hands and otherwise limit the risk of exposure to keep our students, employees, guests and neighbors as safe as possible.
If students OR any guests accompanying them to campus answer YES to any of the following, they will not be permitted to come to campus, or enter residence halls, until they have completed a 14-day quarantine:
- Has flu-like symptoms; or
- Has been in any of the following countries within the last 14 days: China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Iran and any other country reported by the Centers for Disease Control has having “widespread sustained” (with or without restrictions on entry to the U.S.) or “sustained community” spread of the coronavirus (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html); or
- Resides or has had close contact with anyone who has been in one of the countries listed above within the last 14 days; or
- Has been directed to self-quarantine, isolate or self-monitor for the coronavirus by any doctor, hospital or health agency; or
- Has been diagnosed with, or has had close contact with anyone diagnosed with, COVID-19.
It is not mandatory that students retrieve their belongings now. However, it is unclear when the next opportunity for move-out will be, before the end of the semester. There is an immediate need to vacate Fountain View Hall, and other halls may follow as the campus moves to consolidate housing for the remaining students on campus. We also want to prepare for any needs local and state officials might have for broader public health and safety.
We know this is incredibly difficult. We would love for nothing more than to welcome all students back to campus, where they could fully engage in applied, hands-on learning and enjoy the social life of shared spaces and experiences. We know that is just not practical, wise or responsible right now in the face of this pandemic. We are hopeful about returning to an active and bustling campus as soon as this fall.
In the meantime, please use your best judgement about coming to campus. Please continue to monitor your Morrisville email, especially Alerts@morrisville.edu, and morrisville.edu/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information as it becomes available.