Limited campus movement and activity during rise in cases

Published date
12:03 p.m.
News Type

With our first known positive cases on campus, as well as pending reflex testing on positive pooled saliva tests and detected virus levels in the wastewater, it is necessary to take the following steps:

  • The visitor policy is suspended, which includes no visitors between residence halls (effective at noon today)
  • Students in Commons 2 and West Hall residence halls must enter a period of restricted movement
  • Dining will be takeout only
  • Athletics, intramural and fitness center activities have been suspended until further notice

We are defining restricted movement as a step below precautionary quarantine. This means students should stay in their rooms as much as possible. Masks are absolutely mandatory when leaving the room to use bathrooms, pick up takeout-only food from Dining Services, or to be outdoors within campus boundaries. Students must not gather in large groups and should consider walking outdoors with masks on, with no more than one or two other people and remaining at least six feet apart (if you can reach other by both reaching out your arms, you are too close).

We recognize the difficult mental, social and physical burdens of restricted movement, and we have designed this opportunity for students to be able to get some fresh air while limiting the risk of exposing others.

Two known positive cases, announced Wednesday (Oct. 7), come from a student who is a resident of Commons 2 and a student who is a resident of West Hall. Additionally, a pooled test of students and a pooled test of employees came back Thursday (Oct. 8) as positive and are currently being processed for reflex testing to identify the individual(s) within those pools who are positive. A third pooled test has been reported positive today, and is being ordered for reflex testing. We are also aware of an off-campus student whose off-campus testing is being reviewed as a possible positive.

Contact tracing is underway for all of the above cases, and will follow for any additional positives.

Pooled testing scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Hamilton Hall will proceed, and students deemed necessary to participate will be informed.

Daily updates on the college’s COVID-19 testing, quarantine, isolation and other data are available through the SUNY COVID-19 Tracker dashboard webpage. The college posts its latest wastewater data on its own webpage.

If you are a student with questions about your health, please contact the Student Health Center. Employees should contact their primary health care provider. For questions or concerns about staying home from work, please contact your supervisor and Human Resources.

If you have questions about conduct, please contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. If you have other COVID-19-related questions or concerns, please use our online form.