An update from the Dean of Students

We look forward to welcoming you to campus this fall and we are working hard to make your experience this fall the best it can be. Everyone here at Herkimer College is looking forward to providing you with an active campus environment. 

Per State University of New York policy, all students accessing campus facilities are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the Fall semester, pending final approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While we are uncertain when full FDA approval will be confirmed, it is strongly recommended that students get fully vaccinated before the start of the Fall 2021 semester.

To ensure the health and safety of our campus community, the following COVID-19 infection prevention protocols will be required of students accessing campus facilities:

• Vaccinated students are required to submit proof of vaccination as soon as they are fully vaccinated. A photo or scanned copy of the vaccination card can be submitted here: www.herkimer.edu/herksafe or by mailing a hard copy to Dean of Students, Herkimer College, 100 Reservoir Rd, Herkimer, NY  13350. Vaccinated students will not be required to wear a mask or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, though they are welcome to do so.
  
  
• Unvaccinated students and students who do not provide proof of vaccination, will be required to wear a mask at all times and maintain six (6) feet of social distancing. Exceptions to the mask wearing requirement include when students are (1) in their private residential or personal space, (2) eating meals on-campus while seated and social distancing is appropriately enforced, or (3) by themselves. Unvaccinated students must also participate in mandatory weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing administered by the College.
  
  Unvaccinated students are required to sign the HERKSafe student pledge agreeing to follow the protocols set forth by the College. The HERKSafe pledge can be reviewed and signed here: www.herkimer.edu/herksafe. Infractions of the HERKSafe pledge will be considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, and may result in removal from on-campus housing and/or expulsion from the College.
  
  Medical Exemption: Students may be exempt from the vaccine requirement if a duly licensed health care provider certifies in writing that the COVID-19 Vaccination may be detrimental to the student’s health. For more details and a Request for Medical Immunization Exemption form, please email deanofstudents@herkimer.edu.
  
  Religious Exemption: Students who hold genuine religious beliefs which are contrary to COVID-19 Vaccination may be exempt after submitting a Request for Religious Immunization Exemption form, along with required documents. This form can be requested from the Dean of Students Office by emailing deanofstudents@herkimer.edu.
  
  Students granted a medical or religious exemption will be required to quarantine for at least ten (10) days upon arrival and will be subject to the protocols for unvaccinated students described above.
  
  
• Internet Academy students (students enrolled 100% online), and not planning to be on campus for any reason, are exempt from vaccination. Students in this category must submit an attestation confirming they will not be using any campus facilities. The Online Student Exemption attestation form is available here: www.herkimer.edu/online-exemption
  
• Residential student move-in is scheduled for Saturday, September 4th and Sunday, September 5th. Room assignments and details regarding move-in have been mailed out to students who have paid a deposit for on-campus housing. All unvaccinated students and family members, as well as those unable to provide proof of full vaccination, will be required to undergo an on-site, free, rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival for move-in. Anyone testing positive will be required to return home and isolate per the Department of Health.

The above policies and procedures are subject to change as COVID-related conditions evolve.

It is important to plan ahead so you are fully vaccinated in time for the fall semester. You can now get a vaccine at most pharmacies as well as walk-in New York State-run vaccination sites, making it easy and convenient to get your shots in. For locations near you, visit: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/

We understand you may still have questions or concerns. SUNY has provided answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, as well as vaccine information in more than a dozen languages, at www.suny.edu/knowyourvax

Please feel free to email deanofstudents@herkimer.edu or call 315-574-4009 should you have questions or concerns. Enjoy the remainder of your summer. See you on campus in a few months!

Donald Dutcher
Dean of Students/Director of Athletics