COVID-related protocols for students enrolled for Spring 2022

Dear Students:

We hope you had a happy and safe holiday season, and look forward to welcoming you back for the spring semester. Classes will begin on Thursday, January 20, 2022, and residential student move-in is scheduled for Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Please be sure to plan ahead for the following COVID-related safety protocols and requirements:

• Booster Shots: As a result of recent new COVID-related guidance from New York State Governor Hochul and SUNY, all students accessing campus facilities are now required to receive a booster shot within one month of becoming eligible. A photo or scanned copy of the booster vaccination card can be uploaded here: www.herkimer.edu/herksafe or submitted via email to deanofstudents@herkimer.edu or by fax to 315-866-1808.
• Residential Student Testing:  All students residing on campus will be required to have a COVID test upon arrival to campus as part of their move-in process on Tuesday, January 18, between 8 am and 4 pm in the Recreation Gym (as will any accompanying adults who will assist the student with moving in). Anyone testing positive, along with all in your travel party, will be required to return home and isolate per the Department of Health. All residential students will be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated, or if they have been approved for an exemption.
• Commuter Student Testing:  All commuter students, regardless of vaccination status, must take part in COVID testing provided on campus on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 between 8 am and 4 pm in the Recreation Gym. Commuter students may also elect to get a PCR test (not rapid) at local Primary Urgent Care sites no earlier than Sunday, January 16, 2022. Results of the PCR test should be sent directly to deanofstudents@herkimer.edu. Please note any outside testing will be at the expense of the individual.
  
  Unvaccinated commuter students will be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing (provided on campus by the College) throughout the semester. The testing schedule will be forthcoming.
  
  
• Student-Athlete Testing: All student-athletes, regardless of whether they are residential or commuter students, and regardless of whether they are vaccinated, or if they have been approved for an exemption, will be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing.
• Students who have tested positive: If you have tested positive, you are exempt from testing for 90 days from the date of the positive test. You must submit any supporting documentation to rogerstd@herkimer.edu. After the 90 days are up, you will need to participate in testing as indicated above.
• Masks will continue to be mandatory for all individuals, regardless of vaccination. 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.

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

Please feel free to contact us at deanofstudents@herkimer.edu or 315-574-4009 with any questions or concerns.  We look forward to a safe and successful spring semester!

Sincerely,

Donald M. Dutcher '90
Dean of Students/Director of Athletics
315.574.4009
315.866.1808 (FAX)
DeanofStudents@Herkimer.edu