COVID-19 Guidelines

COVID-19 Guidelines

SUNY Geneseo has returned to an on-campus experience with in-person classes. All students at SUNY colleges and universities are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

These guidelines explain SUNY Geneseo’s policies and procedures regarding COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and other safety precautions designed to protect the health of the campus community and promote student success.

SUNY Geneseo’s educational experience is anchored by in-person instruction; close and persistent contact among students, faculty, and staff; and a residential campus that promotes student engagement in co-curricular and extracurricular programs. Our guidelines prioritize the in-person campus experience that our students value.

Employees please see COVID-19 guidance for employees.

This guidance is subject to change.

Updates

November 22: COVID-19 Booster Records for Students

Students: If you’ve received a booster shot, please update your health record.

Booster shots are available to individuals over the age of 18 who completed the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series 6+ months ago. Individuals who received the single J&J shot are eligible for a booster 2+ months after their vaccine. (Read more about boosters on the CDC website.)

In order to keep your records up to date, students who received their booster shot should upload that information to their health portal.

How to Upload Booster Info

  1. Log in to the health portal with your Geneseo User ID and password.
  2. Enter your birthday and click "proceed."
  3. Navigate to the "I would like to…" section and click on "Enter my COVID-19 vaccine information"
  4. Click the green "upload" button to locate and select the file to upload, then click "open."
  5. You only need to upload the side of the card that has the booster vaccine date listed.
  6. Confirm that the document is legible and click "looks good" at the bottom of the page
  7. Click on Done
  8. Go back into Enter my COVID -19 Vaccination Information
  9. Click the Add Immunization button
  10. Input the date and select the immunization
  11. Click Save
  12. Click Done

November 16: Spring 2022 Vaccination Guidelines

All Spring 2022 SUNY Geneseo students are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an approved exception no later than January 12, 2022, to attend classes in person and participate in on-campus activities in the spring, according to a SUNY mandate. 

Students who have already submitted proof of vaccination for Fall 2021 or have an approved exemption do not need to resubmit proof or fill out an exemption application for the spring semester. The information below is for new students and those who did not attend in-person classes in the fall.

Requirements

To be considered fully vaccinated, individuals must satisfy all three of these requirements no later than January 12, 2022: 

  • You must have received all required doses of a World Health Organization (WHO) approved COVID-19 vaccine. 
  • At least two weeks need to have passed since your final shot BEFORE you can arrive on campus. No later than January 12, 2022.
  • You must have submitted proof of vaccination to your SUNY Geneseo health portal under "Enter My COVID-19 Vaccination Information." 

November 10: On-Campus Resident Visitation Privileges Resume November 12

SUNY Geneseo’s COVID-19 infection rate has been low and compliance with protocols high. As a result, full visitation privileges will resume effective November 12. Beginning Friday, students may have non-student friends or family members visit their residence hall and room.  

The College will continue to evaluate residence hall visitation based on the number of positive COVID-19 cases and violations of residence hall policy and student conduct. 

Visitation is a privilege and subject to the guidelines in the Residential License. Residents may host a guest in their residence hall (including room and common areas) under these conditions: 

  • Guests will be allowed within individual suites/rooms only with the consent of all assigned residents.
  • Guests to a residence hall, whether a SUNY Geneseo student or not, must be accompanied by the resident host at all times.
  • Masks must be worn in common areas.
  • Residents may host overnight visitors no more than three nights per month. 

November 1: Updates to U.S. Travel Policies

On October 25, 2021, President Biden issued Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-⁠19 Pandemic, which, effective November 8, 2021, will lift the four current geographic travel ban restrictions, and replace them with a global requirement that "noncitizens who are nonimmigrants" traveling to the United States by air from any part of the world establish that they are fully vaccinated, with some limited exceptions.

A separate CDC order will also continue to require all air travelers to show results of a negative coronavirus test performed on a specimen taken three days (if fully vaccinated) or one day (if not fully vaccinated and entering under an exception) preceding their flight's departure from a foreign country traveling to the United States.

"Noncitizens who are nonimmigrants" who are traveling by air will have to show both the negative COVID viral test and documentation that they are either fully vaccinated or are eligible for an exception to the vaccination requirement.

"Noncitizens and nonimmigrants" does include international students including but not limited to those holding F1 or J1 visas. This proclamation includes some limited exceptions. We strongly recommend that members of the SUNY Geneseo community currently outside the United States or that plan to travel outside the United States carefully review the Department of State FAQs for the most up-to-date information.

September 1: Student Surveillance Testing Information

In accordance with Geneseo’s Fall 2021 reopening plan, all on-campus, off-campus, and commuter students must participate in surveillance testing.

All unvaccinated and partially vaccinated students are required to participate in weekly surveillance testing beginning Tuesday, September 7 or Wednesday, September 8.

All vaccinated students are required to test on a monthly basis, starting in October.

See the COVID-19 Surveillance Testing page for full details.

Quick Answers

Are vaccines required for all students?

Yes. Per New York State policy, all SUNY students are required to submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination.

The deadline to submit proof of vaccination for Spring 2022 is January 12, 2022. For more information, see our COVID-19 vaccination requirement page.

Please also review the Falsification of COVID-19 Records web page.

Do students need to submit proof of vaccination?

Yes. Students who do not provide proof of vaccination to Student Health and Counseling by January 12, 2022 will be considered unvaccinated.

How to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination:

  1. Log in to the SUNY Health Portal with your Geneseo User ID and password.
  2. Confirm your identity by entering your birthday and click "proceed."
  3. Navigate to the "I would like to…" section and click on "enter my COVID-19 vaccine information"
  4. Click the green "upload" button to locate and select the file to upload, then click "open." You only need to upload the side of the card that has both completed vaccine dates listed. If you have a vaccine on either side of the vaccine card, that's fine -- just scan and upload both sides.
  5. Confirm that the document is legible and click "looks good" at the bottom of the page.
  6. Enter the COVID-19 vaccine information. Scroll down to enter the first date and vaccine type and the second date and vaccine type if you received Moderna or Pfizer. Enter the single date if you received Johnson & Johnson.

Are masks and physical distancing mandatory?

Yes, for unvaccinated students.

August 5 update: Effective Monday, August 9, we are requiring all individuals—regardless of vaccination status—to wear a mask indoors except while in their personal living spaces and workspaces.

Please note this additional mask requirement does not alter the requirement for unvaccinated individuals to maintain physical distance where practicable. This is consistent with the Guidance for State Agencies and Authorities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

We will continue to monitor the dynamic pandemic conditions and will reassess the indoor mask-wearing requirement by October 25. The masking policy may be amended if local conditions or guidance from the Department of Health, SUNY, State, or CDC requires such.

Will vaccination be required for students who have recently had COVID-19?

Yes.

Guidelines

Masks

August 5 update: Effective Monday, August 9, all individuals—regardless of vaccination status—are required to wear a mask indoors except while in their personal living spaces and workspaces.

Please note this additional mask requirement does not alter the requirement for unvaccinated individuals to maintain physical distance where practicable. This is consistent with the Guidance for State Agencies and Authorities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

We will continue to monitor the dynamic pandemic conditions and will reassess the indoor mask-wearing requirement by October 25. The masking policy may be amended if local conditions or guidance from the Department of Health, SUNY, State, or CDC requires such.

Proof of Vaccination

Students who do not provide proof of full vaccination to Student Health and Counseling by January 12, 2022 will be considered unvaccinated.

How to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination:

  1. Log in to the SUNY Health Portal with your Geneseo User ID and password.
  2. Confirm your identity by entering your birthday and click "proceed."
  3. Navigate to the "I would like to…" section and click on "enter my COVID-19 vaccine information"
  4. Click the green "upload" button to locate and select the file to upload, then click "open." You only need to upload the side of the card that has both completed vaccine dates listed. If you have a vaccine on either side of the vaccine card, that's fine -- just scan and upload both sides.
  5. Confirm that the document is legible and click "looks good" at the bottom of the page.
  6. Enter the COVID-19 vaccine information. Scroll down to enter the first date and vaccine type and the second date and vaccine type if you received Moderna or Pfizer. Enter the single date if you received Johnson & Johnson.

Students are considered fully vaccinated when:

  • More than two weeks have passed since they received the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or more than two weeks have passed since they received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson/Janssen), AND
  • They have provided proof of vaccination through the student health portal.

Surveillance Testing

All unvaccinated students are required to participate in surveillance testing weekly beginning Tuesday, September 7 or Wednesday, September 8.

All vaccinated students are required to test on a monthly basis, starting in October.

See the COVID-19 Surveillance Testing page for full details.

SUNY Geneseo may decide to require more frequent surveillance testing of all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, upon consultation with the local health department in response to changes in community health and infection rates or if CDC, state, or SUNY guidance require such.

Getting Tested for COVID-19

Surveillance testing

All unvaccinated and partially vaccinated students are required to participate in weekly surveillance testing through the College beginning Tuesday, September 7 or Wednesday, September 8.

All vaccinated students are required to test on a monthly basis, starting in October.

If you are symptomatic

Students with symptoms of COVID-19—whether the student is vaccinated or unvaccinated—should immediately contact the Health Center at 585-245-5736.

Symptomatic students must visit the Health Center in order to be examined by a nurse or clinician to determine if a COVID-19 test is needed.

If you do not have symptoms

If you are asymptomatic but want to get tested outside of surveillance testing, you can obtain a rapid test over the counter at Wegman's, CVS, Walmart, etc.

If you choose to obtain an over-the-counter rapid test and are positive, you will be responsible for obtaining an additional off-site PCR test; the Department of Health will not accept an over-the-counter rapid as proof of positive.

If you test positive

If you test positive after receiving a test at one of the off-site locations above, please contact the Health Center 585-243-5736 Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM and syfrett@geneseo.edu after hours and on weekends.

According to CDC guidance, fully vaccinated individuals who test positive must isolate for 10 days, though they do not need to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19 unless they are symptomatic.

Off-Campus COVID-19 PCR Testing Locations

You are able to obtain an off-site PCR test at the following places:

Requirements for Unvaccinated Students

Masks and Physical Distancing

All unvaccinated individuals are required to:

  • Wear masks indoors (except in their own living space)
  • Wear masks outdoors in crowded settings
  • Maintain physical distancing (in addition to wearing masks) where practicable

Disposable mask dispensers will remain available across campus. Clear face masks will be made available to support those who rely on lip-reading.

August 5 update: Effective Monday, August 9, all individuals—regardless of vaccination status—are required to wear a mask indoors except while in their personal living spaces and workspaces.

Please note this additional mask requirement does not alter the requirement for unvaccinated individuals to maintain physical distance where practicable. This is consistent with the Guidance for State Agencies and Authorities During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

We will continue to monitor the dynamic pandemic conditions and will reassess the indoor mask-wearing requirement by October 25. The masking policy may be amended if local conditions or guidance from the Department of Health, SUNY, State, or CDC requires such.

Surveillance Testing for Unvaccinated Students

Unvaccinated students are required to participate in mandatory weekly surveillance testing starting Tuesday, September 7 or Wednesday, September 8. Students who fail to participate will be reported to Student Conduct.

If this is your first year participating in pooled testing, please make sure to create a profile in the Upstate Medical app.

If you have obtained a positive test in the last 90 days, please upload a copy of your test to your health portal under Medical Clearances. This will exempt you from testing for the next 90 days. Please email Pooled Testing by September 10 to schedule a test day/time once your 90 days have passed. You will be scheduled to receive a test either weekly or monthly depending on your vaccination or exemption status.

You will choose a specific time between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on either Tuesday, September 7 or Wednesday, September 8.

This time and day of the week will be your standing weekly appointment for the entire Fall 2021 semester.

If you miss an appointment:

  • You will receive an email alert.
  • You will not be allowed on campus until you obtain your own test outside of campus and submit the results.
  • Student Health and Counseling will not supply tests.

To schedule a test:

  • Go to your health portal
  • Click Check-In/Schedule an Appointment
  • Click Schedule an Appointment
  • Select COVID Testing, then click Continue
  • Select NON-VACCINATED COVID TESTING, then click Continue
    • Select a time on either Tuesday or Wednesday for your standing appointment
    • Click Continue
    • Click Confirm

Daily Health Screening

Unvaccinated students are required to complete a daily health screening.

Quarantine and Isolation

Positive COVID-19 Test

Students who test positive for COVID-19—whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated, symptomatic or asymptomatic—will isolate until cleared by the DOH. They are encouraged to do so at their permanent residence. We will work with students who are unable to quarantine or isolate at home and need accommodations, such as international students and those with no other safe housing options.

These students will have their health status/wellness monitored daily by the Livingston County DOH. Fees may be assessed for extra services provided to students during on-campus isolation or quarantine.

COVID-19 Exposure

Vaccinated students do not have to quarantine unless symptomatic.

Quarantine IS required for unvaccinated students who:

  • Have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, OR
  • Have been in close contact with someone who is displaying symptoms, OR
  • Is believed by the Livingston County Department of Health to require quarantine.

Off-Campus or Commuting Students

Off-campus or commuting students will quarantine or isolate at their off-campus residence. Off-campus students who test positive are encouraged to isolate at their permanent residence until cleared by the Livingston County DOH. The DOH is responsible for follow-up contact tracing and daily health check-ins for off-campus students. As these students are identified, Student Health and Counseling will also check in with them and provide health guidance as needed.

Keeping up with Classes during COVID-Related Absences

Students who need to miss classes for an extended period of time (including a COVID-related quarantine or isolation order) should contact the Dean of Students (deanstu@geneseo.edu), who will inform faculty of absences.

Students are responsible for reaching out to their faculty as soon as possible to make arrangements for keeping up with missed work. Faculty are not required to provide online instruction to students during extended absences.

Students are responsible for staying in touch with their instructors to clarify expectations and resolve any questions about the coursework

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Additional Resources