Fall Semester Planning

It is natural that we should be wondering what the start of the fall 2021 semester will look like, given that we recently marked a full year of precautions and adjustments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people in New York State are completing their schedule of vaccines now, businesses and public school districts are beginning to re-open, and there seems to be a sense of cautious optimism growing that things may be “back to normal” before too long.

With the understanding that we cannot risk all the progress that has been made over the past year by letting our guard down prematurely, the Herkimer College leadership is planning for a full complement of staff on campus by July 1st, and for classes to be offered in-person on campus at the start of the new academic year. All necessary steps for getting our classrooms, laboratory spaces, and other facilities ready for the fall semester will be taken in accordance with guidance from SUNY and the CDC. 

While we are optimistic about the fall, we will of course continue to monitor the situation, as the health and safety of students, staff, and faculty are and will remain our priority. Our plans to return to in-person class delivery will be contingent on positivity rates and guidance from SUNY, the CDC, and local and state public health agencies. Additional updates will be communicated as they become available and will also be posted at www.herkimer.edu/restart.

Thank you to our students, faculty and staff for their patience, understanding and perseverance through this very challenging time. We ask for everyone’s continued cooperation in following the health and safety protocols as we close out the 2020-2021 academic year.