COVID-19 Updates & Resources

Updates, information and resources for members of the SUNY Geneseo campus community and our local neighbors.

COVID-19 Dashboard: Visit SUNY Geneseo's COVID-19 dashboard for data on campus-administered COVID-19 tests, active cases, and related information.

Information for Students

Information for Employees

Information for the Community

Latest Updates

Please note that messages sent by individual offices or departments may not appear on this list. Remember to regularly check your Geneseo email.

Oct 22: Update Regarding Study Abroad

(Email from Samuel M. Cardamone, M.S., Director of the Study Abroad Office to faculty & staff)

 

The Study Abroad Office recognizes that employees from units all across campus interact with students in conversations about interest in study abroad.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all constituents have access to the most up-to-date information.

Study Abroad During the Spring 2021 Term

On October 16, SUNY Provost Tod Laursen announced the following:
After careful deliberation, the determination has been made that all University [SUNY] sponsored student international travel (study abroad and other student activities) is cancelled for the winter and spring 2021 terms due to the ongoing pandemic. This is a continuation of the current suspension of international study and sponsored travel and is driven by our ongoing commitment to the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.  

In short, all SUNY Geneseo study abroad programs for spring 2021 have been suspended.  Students applying to study abroad for spring 2021 have been notified.

Future Study Abroad Terms

Summer 2021 and fall 2021 partner study abroad programs are currently under review and review will continue into the spring semester.  Applications for some summer 2021 and fall 2021 programs will open on January 1, 2021.

The Study Abroad Office maintains the Study Abroad COVID-19 Response FAQ website, which consolidates all updates about study abroad program suspensions and provides information about the path necessary to resume international mobility.

Virtual Global Education Experiences

The SUNY Geneseo Study Abroad Office continues to work with international partners around the world to develop, review, and offer Virtual Global Education Experiences.

A suite of offerings have been curated and information about spring 2021 and summer 2021 opportunities is available at: https://www.geneseo.edu/study_abroad/virtual-global-education-experiences

If you encounter a student interested in studying abroad, please encourage them to consider a virtual global education experience, and direct them to contact the Study Abroad Office.  We would be delighted to speak with them about their options in the short-term and long-term.

Oct. 19: SUNYAC Cancels Winter Athletics

(Email from President Battles to the campus community)

Monday, October 19, the SUNY Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announced that, in response to ongoing health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, its member institutions will cancel winter sports competition. 

We at SUNY Geneseo acknowledge that this decision—while made in the interest of health and safety—is deeply disappointing to our student-athletes and all who support intercollegiate athletics across our Geneseo community. Student-athletes can expect to hear more in the coming days from their coaches regarding their continued engagement with the Geneseo athletic program and their teams.

More information will be forthcoming about winter sports that compete outside of the SUNYAC. 

The Department of Athletics and Recreation continues to provide meaningful opportunities for our students to engage in athletic experiences and personal growth, including recreational ice skating, giant Jenga and the fitness center. There also are a variety of club sports available. 

We remain committed to ensuring a vibrant student experience for our campus community. Please visit our events calendar often to see the latest activities and initiatives in which students can participate. Thank you.

Oct. 13: Pooled Surveillance Testing Program

(Email from Megan Syfrett, Principal Administrator of Student Health and Counseling, to students)

Any student who resides on campus, off campus in Geneseo, regardless of taking face to face classes, as well as commuter students, are required to participate per SUNY mandate. Faculty have been notified that student participation in pooled surveillance testing may cause them to arrive to class late or need to leave class early. They are asked to work with students who may need this flexibility. 

How do I know if I should participate?

If you are selected to participate, you will be informed at least 5 days in advance, but no less than 48 hours prior to the date for which you are selected. Once selected, you will receive an email from the Principal Administrator for Student Health and Counseling Megan Syfrett with instructions on how to register for an account and sign up for a time slot for the date for which you were selected. It is each student’s responsibility to check their email for this notification. Students who do not participate as expected face interim suspension for their lack of compliance.  

The cost of the initial pooled test is covered, but if your pool of samples tests positive, your insurance will be billed to run your individual swab to determine who in the pool is positive. (If you don’t have health insurance you can indicate that when you register for the pooled test, by self-reporting “not applicable.”) 

Do I need to quarantine or isolate?

There is no quarantine or isolation required on the day you participate in pooled testing. If we learn that you are included in a pool that tests positive for COVID-19, we will contact you and ask that you begin a precautionary self-isolation until we can identify which specific member(s) of the pool have tested positive. If you reside on campus, you will be moved to Jones Hall. If you are off campus, you will be required to remain in your residence. All students are able to return home to self-isolate, if desired, during this period as long as they are not required to use mass transit to return home. 

What does self-isolate mean?

Self-isolation requires you to remain in your residence and refrain from either having visitors or visiting anyone else. You must not report to work and should not participate in any other group activity or social gatherings during the self-isolation period. You may still pick up a meal but you are encouraged to limit contact with others to the greatest extent possible during your self-isolation. This period of self-isolation should not exceed 48 hours before being alerted to the final test result. 

How do I obtain my final test result?

Upstate Medical will reach out to you and request that you create a MyChart account. If you choose not to sign up you can obtain a hard copy by sending a request to releases@upstate.edu and providing your legal name and date of birth. Since you will receive the notification first, we ask that you send the result of your individual test to Principal Administrator Megan Syfrett at syfrett@geneseo.edu. Once a negative result is submitted, you will be released from precautionary self-isolation. Should you test positive, you will be asked to remain in isolation until the Department of Health contacts you with further guidance.

Sept. 29: Important Message on Off-Campus Behavior 

(Email from Dean Leonard Sancilio to students)

Dear Students:

We realize that you are getting bombarded with messages, but things are changing that rapidly.

Last Friday you received a message from President Battles outlining the comprehensive emergency directive instituted by Chancellor Malatras to address violations of COVID-19 safety protocols occurring at SUNY’s state-operated campuses and community colleges. The campus has been working to clarify College policies that will be most impacted by this directive. We want to make sure that we are clear in our expectations so you know what actions and behaviors are acceptable. The uniform sanctioning policies, as directed by SUNY, will come out tomorrow.

Earlier today you received an update to the residence hall visitation policy put in place during the pandemic. Violations of this new residence hall policy, including consideration of any previous sanctions and warnings, will be in effect at 8:00a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2020.

At the end of August, in addition to Geneseo and Department of Health health protocols, we posted an understanding that related to student behavior off campus. This email is an update to that understanding and is policy.

Students are not permitted to organize or attend residential, off-campus events or gatherings that exceed 2 times occupancy at that dwelling/location. That means if there are 4 people who live in or are on a lease of an apartment or house, at most there can be 8 people at a gathering inside or outside that dwelling (the 4 residents plus 4 guests). Unless all of the people at the gathering are residents of the dwelling, all individuals must wear face coverings at all times and maintain physical distancing (six feet of separation) from other people. Those individuals and/or registered student organizations who participate in such gatherings, regardless of the host, will be subject to campus conduct action.

Students are permitted to attend non-residential, low-risk indoor events and gatherings in licensed venues. The number of participants must not exceed 25% of maximum occupancy. Individuals must wear face coverings at all times and maintain physical distancing (six feet of separation) from other people. Here is additional information on low-risk indoor events and gatherings. 

Students are permitted to attend non-residential, low-risk outdoor events and gatherings. The number of participants must not exceed 33% of maximum occupancy for a particular area. Individuals must wear face coverings at all times and maintain physical distancing (six feet of separation) from other people. Here is additional information on low-risk outdoor events and gatherings. 

Local ordinances regarding off-campus noise remain in effect at all times. Students are prohibited from generating noise that can be heard beyond the property line and is likely disturbing to others.

The Village of Geneseo’s Social Host Law remains in effect and will be enforced. Under the Social Host Law, an “Open House Party” is a party or gathering at a residence or other private premises of two or more persons; a “Residence” is any home, apartment, condominium, co-operative unit, dormitory unit, or other dwelling unit of any kind, including yards and open areas adjacent thereto, vacant land, and accessory structures.

SUNY, and SUNY Geneseo, will not tolerate any behavior that endangers the well-being and safety of other members of our community. This includes parties or gatherings that do not include physical distancing, masks, or exceed occupancy. While we will continue to periodically review the status of infections on campus and in the community and re-evaluate restricting or phasing-in potentially endangering behaviors, like just happened in the residence halls, this policy as stipulated above will be enforced with the uniform guidelines that will be in effect at 8:00a.m. on October 1, 2020. Additional detail forthcoming tomorrow.

Dean Sancilio

Sept. 29: Geneseo Details on Post-Thanksgiving Account Credit Eligibility

(Email to students from Julie Buehler '89 Vice President for Finance and Administration)

 

Students,

As announced last week, our College is transitioning to online learning after the Thanksgiving break. We anticipate the campus as a whole and Campus Auxiliary Services will remain open and operational. Some areas may have limited or reduced services during this period and adjustments will continue to be made as needed in response to health conditions and or SUNY/NY guidelines.

Any student remaining in on-campus housing is required to keep their current meal plan active and will not be eligible for a credit. Students who do not remain in on-campus housing may opt to keep their meal plans active and access CAS services through December 22, 2020, if they so choose. 

For those intending to leave campus and not return until Spring or for non-residents discontinuing existing meal plans, a request for a credit on the linked Google form must be completed and returned by 12 p.m. on October 10, 2020. Any student who does not complete this Google form requesting a credit , will automatically maintain an active meal plan that can be used through December 22, 2020 and forfeit eligibility for a credit. 

Residential Room Rent Details

All students currently residing in the Residence Halls must indicate their plans to either depart campus or request to remain on campus on the linked Google form by 12 p.m. on October 10, 2020. For departing students, the Student Accounts Office will use the information submitted on the Google form and confirmation from Residence Life to post a prorated credit adjustment of 3/16 (3 weeks out of 16 in the semester) of room rent using the following parameters:

• Where applicable, room scholarships and waivers will be reduced in an amount proportionate to the room rent credits.
• Credit adjustments will first be used to offset current outstanding balance.
• Any resulting refund will be issued to the student. Students are strongly encouraged to sign up for direct deposit to expedite the refund. Instructions are available on the Student Accounts website. Paper checks take longer to process and are expected to be issued by the end of the semester (for students not enrolled in direct deposit).
• Residential room credits will be posted to student accounts before November 1.

Meal Plan Details

Campus Auxiliary Services will remain open throughout the semester with some service options and hours to be modified as needs evolve for the Fall 2020 semester through December 22, 2020. 

All students who reside on or off campus and currently have a meal plan must fill out the linked Google form indicating they want their meal plan deactivated as of November 25, 2020 to obtain a credit of the unused funds (the declining account balance) in the meal plan and flex accounts. Where applicable, meal plan credits  will be posted to your student account by the end of the semester. 

Standard meal plan rules will apply to active meal plans: for on-campus plans up to $50 of remaining funds will be rolled to the spring 2021 semester and for off-campus plans up to $25 of remaining funds will be rolled to the spring 2021 semester. All other unused funds will not be eligible for a refund in accordance with NYS Sales Tax regulations. 

Comprehensive Fees

As services provided by the Undergraduate Comprehensive Fee are available for all students (including those already studying remotely), the comprehensive fee will not be reduced at this time.

Residence Life Information

With the exception of students who have completed the Google form to remain in their residence hall, residence halls will close for Thanksgiving Break on November 25, 2020 and will not reopen until Spring 2021.  

While dates are subject to change, those who currently reside on campus will be able to move back to their residence hall on January 31 after 9 a.m.  Returning residents will not need to complete a formal residence hall check-in, but will need to:

• complete a 7-day quarantine prior to move-in from January 24 - 30 
• submit a negative COVID-19 test result within 14 days prior to January 31
• provide a signed attestation dated January 31 or the date of their return

Residents will be permitted to leave their belongings in their current room, but will not have access to them after their departure. Upon departure, residents should plan to double check that they have everything they need with them as they will not have access to the space.  Residents should bring their student ID card and key with them when they depart.

Sept. 25: SUNY-Wide Sanctions in Response to COVID-19 Safety Violations 

(Email to the campus community from President Denise A. Battles)

As we conclude our fourth week of the fall term, we can take cautious pride in the broad adherence to public health guidelines that has enabled Geneseo to sustain in-person operations. I want to thank the students, faculty, and staff who have worked hard toward that end. Regrettably, that has not been the case at a number of campuses across the country. I write to advise you of a new policy, released this afternoon, being implemented by the SUNY system with the aim of fostering the safest possible learning environments for all. 

Effective October 1, 2020 at 8 a.m., campuses within the SUNY system, including SUNY Geneseo, must adhere to an emergency directive calling for uniform sanctions in response to COVID-19 safety violations by students. This directive only applies during the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will end on order of SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras.

Students will be sanctioned if they are found to be responsible for any of the following:

- Test positive for COVID-19 and then intentionally expose others to the virus;

- Fail to adhere to isolation or quarantine orders;

- Host or attend a prohibited on- or off-campus gathering;

- Fail to follow face-mask and physical-distancing requirements;

- Fail to comply with COVID-19 contact tracing efforts; or

- Fail to attend at least two scheduled appointments, without a sufficient excuse, to obtain diagnostic   or surveillance COVID-19 testing.

This is a partial summary of violations; please refer to the directive for comprehensive information.

Sanctions range from restriction from all on-campus activities and classes, to permanent dismissal from the college and the inability to apply/transfer to any other SUNY institution. Many of the sanctions include a suspension with a time-period of a year or more. Sanctions of suspension or dismissal also come with no refund of tuition, room, board, or fees, and students would be fully responsible for all amounts owed. It should be noted that not all classes and activities can be offered virtually, thus a student could seriously jeopardize their academic progress if found to be in violation of the policy. Geneseo will continue to utilize an amnesty policy, which will be updated to extend to COVID-related policies.

Student athletes found to have violated the SUNY policy also may lose the ability to compete in intercollegiate athletics at Geneseo. Student organizations that are found to be in violation of any of the above may be deregistered or derecognized, possibly even permanently. They also must report the violation(s) to their national organizing body, if applicable.

Not following COVID-19 health and safety protocols can aid in the spread of the coronavirus, which can result in negative impact on public health, the partial or complete closure of our campus, loss of academic opportunity and significant economic damage on and off campus.

Given our campus community's strong commitment to civic responsibility, I have every confidence in our students' adherence to those protocols, which not only support our well-being but enable us to continue in-person operations. Thank you to all in our community for continuing to do your part to make that possible. Please look for an update from the Dean of Students office with further detail on these policies, the College’s updated amnesty policy, and other related updates soon.

Sincerely,

Denise A. Battles
President

 

Sept. 25: Transition to Online Learning After Thanksgiving

(Email to students and staff from President Denise A. Battles)

We have made the decision to transition to fully online learning following the Thanksgiving break. All courses will be delivered online with no face-to-face component after the Thanksgiving break through the end of the fall semester. 

We anticipate being able to make the residence halls available for those students who need to remain at Geneseo through and after the Thanksgiving holiday, and possibly during the winter break. Our preliminary plan calls for those who will live or receive services on campus to undergo post-arrival quarantine and testing.

To help us provide the best service possible and in order for us to plan for appropriate COVID-19 health and safety protocols, we are asking ALL students, in particular residential and off-campus students with a dining plan, to please fill out this survey no later than October 1.

Where applicable and upon request, residential and meal plan credits will be offered. Residential room rent credits will be based on a prorated adjustment and meal plans will be based on individual student declining plan balances. Students will receive an email next week with links to further details and the required request forms. Completed forms will need to be submitted by October 10 to obtain the credits. Room credits will be posted to accounts before November 1 and meal plan credits will be posted before the end of the semester. For those receiving refunds, direct deposit will be strongly encouraged for timely processing.

I am proud of how well our community has done to keep COVID-19 cases low through following health and safety measures, such as mask wearing and physical distancing. Together we can continue to keep Geneseo safe! Be well!

Sincerely,

Denise A. Battles
President

Sept. 17: External Testing Site Protocol for Students

(Email to students from Megan Syfrett, LMHC, Principal Administrator of Student Health and Counseling)

Dear Students, 

Just some updated information we want to ensure you are aware of. 

If you obtain a test from an external testing site and test positive:

1. Alert Student Health and Counseling at 585-245-5736 and send your test results to palmer@geneseo.edu. We will provide the test result to the Livingston County Department of Health (LCDOH) to commence contact tracing. Contact Tracing cannot begin until DOH receives notice of the positive test. 

2. If you are on campus and you choose to isolate here, you will be given directives to transition to Jones Hall. 

3. If you are off campus, please remain in your off-campus residence until given further directives by DOH.

4. Please remember that you will be required to isolate from the date of test results, not the onset of symptoms date.

5. Submit your clearance letter to Student Health and Counseling through your health portal myhealth.geneseo.edu

If you are in contact (roommate, suitemate) of a positive person:

1. Alert Student Health and Counseling 585-245-5736.

2. If you are on campus, you will be given directives to quarantine for 14 days.

3. If you are off campus, remain in your off-campus residence until given further information on quarantining. 

4. If you are required to mandatory quarantine, submit your clearance letter to Student Health and Counseling through your health portal myhealth.geneseo.edu

Learning that someone we know has tested positive can create anxiety and worry. Anyone who is a contact of a contact—i.e., someone who had no direct contact with the positive individual—is not in need of quarantine. 

Symptoms can develop up to 14 days from exposure, so if you are a contact you will be informed directly by DOH and expected to quarantine for 14 days. Testing too soon will not give an accurate picture if you have contracted the virus. 

It is imperative that anyone who is experiencing symptoms call the Health Office at 585-245-5736 to expedite DOH contact tracing. If you are a roommate or suitemate of a positive individual, DOH will notify us and we will provide you with testing at the optimum time.

Thank you,

Megan Syfrett, LMHC
Principal Administrator of Student Health and Counseling

Sept. 17: Surveillance Testing Update

(Email to campus from Medical Director Steven Radi, MD)

Students, Faculty, and Staff,

As you know, we began surveillance testing of students earlier this month. So far, we have conducted nearly 120 tests and all have been negative. To increase the percentage of students we are able to test weekly, which will help continue to mitigate COVID-19 infection risk, we are transitioning to pooled saliva testing with SUNY Upstate Medical University next week. We will test approximately 500 students per week through this method.

Students will be selected at random to participate in the pooled testing, which involves saliva-based samples. Students who are selected for testing are required to complete the process in order to remain eligible to participate in any on-campus activities, including attending in-person classes and residential living. All efforts will be made to accommodate student schedules.

SUNY and UUP announced this week the establishment of an agreement regarding mandatory COVID-19 testing for UUP-represented employees. The College is working to incorporate testing protocols, using the Upstate methodology for those individuals, information about which is forthcoming.

The pooled testing will be conducted in the MacVIttie College Union Ballroom.

For the latest information on screening, testing, and surveillance, please visit COVID-19 Updates & Resources, which is updated frequently.

Thank you,

Steven A. Radi, M.D.
Medical Director

Sept. 4: Surveillance Testing Update

(Email to campus from Medical Director Steven Radi, MD)

Dear students and campus faculty/staff,

Campus surveillance testing of students to help detect and prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, first announced August 26, has commenced. The Health and Counseling Office will test a select sample of the Geneseo student population weekly, concentrating on student groups at potentially higher risk of infection and transmission, such as those who live together in residence halls or apartments, athletic teams, Greek organizations, clubs, and other student organizations.

The Health and Counseling Office will notify students at least two days in advance. Students who are notified of their selection for testing must participate to ensure their continued eligibility to engage in any on-campus activities, including instruction and residential living. All efforts will be made to accommodate student schedules.

Early in the summer, the College ordered a rapid, point of care testing device to enable us to perform tests of students on campus. The Health and Counseling Office is using that system to perform rapid antigen testing via nasal swab for routine surveillance. Students can expect to receive notification of their results within 24 hours via their electronic health record.

The College will continue to conduct point of care testing over the coming days, and expects to shift to a collaboration with SUNY Upstate Medical University in a process that uses pooled testing of saliva-based samples.

For the latest information on screening, testing, and surveillance, please visit COVID-19 Updates & Resources, which is updated frequently.

Thank you,

Dr. Steven Radi
Medical Director

August 26: COVID-19 Surveillance Testing

(Email to campus from Medical Director Steven Radi, MD)

As we seek to further support the health and well-being of all members of our community, SUNY Geneseo continues to refine health and safety protocols for fall term. The College will implement ongoing surveillance testing of students participating in on campus activities. Students will be required to comply with testing requests to continue to be eligible for in-person course instruction. Further details about the surveillance testing program will be shared in the coming days.

We are aware there is a high level of interest among our personnel in surveillance testing of faculty and staff, as well. The College in collaboration with local union leaders highly encourage employees to obtain a COVID-19 test. A list of possible testing site locations can be found on the Human Resources webpage. The College does not have the authority to unilaterally mandate employee testing. In addition, staff who are coming to work on campus are required to complete a daily screening within one hour of arrival on campus.

For the latest information on screening, testing and surveillance, please visit COVID-19 Updates & Resources, which is updated frequently.

Thank you,

Dr. Steven Radi
Medical Director

August 26: COVID-19 Case Notification

(Email to campus from Medical Director Steven Radi, MD)

SUNY Geneseo has received notification of a positive COVID-19 test for a member of the college community. The College maintains a COVID-19 dashboard to inform its campus community about new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases involving Geneseo students, who are in the Geneseo community, and employees who've been on campus during their potentially contagious period.

No identifying information will be shared about a person who tests positive for COVID-19, to comply with federal health privacy regulations. Any individuals who've had a risk of exposure by meeting the criteria for close contact (explained below) will be notified directly through contact tracing by the Livingston County Department of Health.

COVID-19 cases will be updated once each business day, Monday through Friday by noon, when there are new cases. Any lab-confirmed cases on a weekend would be included on the next business day's count.

The College will follow extensive cleaning and sanitizing protocols on campus, if an individual was on campus during their potentially contagious period.

For the latest information, visit the COVID-19 Updates and Resources website.

Steven Radi, MD
Medical Director

August 3: Returning to Geneseo

(Email to students from Vice President for Student and Campus Life Michael Taberski)

Dear students,

All of us here at SUNY Geneseo are very pleased to welcome you to campus this fall! We are doing our best to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our campus community, and a smooth return to Geneseo will help set the stage for a successful semester.

Here is some essential information to help you navigate your return. Please read this entire email as it applies to all students:

Pre-Arrival Testing and Quarantining

In order to return to campus, all residential and off-campus students will be required to:

1. Take a COVID-19 test no earlier than 14 days before their arrival in Geneseo
2. Submit a negative test result to Student Health and Counseling seven to 14 days before their arrival in Geneseo
3. Quarantine for seven days prior to their arrival in Geneseo

Students who test positive in their pre-arrival test will be required to quarantine at home until released by their county health department. It will be the student’s responsibility to send that release to the Dean of Students office once it is granted.

It is strongly recommended that the test be performed within the week prior to entering the mandatory seven-day, pre-arrival quarantine to ensure you have enough time to receive your test results and complete your quarantine. Please note that antibody test results will not be accepted. For a list of testing centers, visit the New York State Department of Health.

Students Traveling from Out of State or International Locations

All students traveling to Geneseo from another country or from a state on the NYS Travel Advisory list are required to quarantine for 14 days. This applies to all students, whether they live on campus or off campus. All such students must complete the online NYS Traveler Health Form and submit a screenshot of it to the College before entering their quarantine period. Resident (on-campus) students should email screenshots to Residential Life at reslife@geneseo.edu; off-campus students should email them to the Dean of Students at deanstu@geneseo.edu.

Resident (on-campus) students may quarantine on campus, and the Move-In Day & Time Request Form has places to indicate out-of-state or international travel plans. Resident students who need to return to campus early for a mandatory 14-day quarantine may arrive as early as August 9 and will receive separate directions from the College.

Move-In Day and Time Request Form

Students who will be living on campus should complete the Move-In Day & Time Request Form to indicate their move-in date and time preference. Time slots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Within one business day of completing the move-in form, all students will receive a confirmation of their move-in day and time as well as additional information about move-in day procedures. Students who do not fill out the form by August 7 will be assigned a move-in time and date.

New and Returning Resident Students Move-In Dates

New students may choose a three-hour window between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on either Wednesday, August 26, or Thursday, August 27. Please note that these dates are slightly different than the ones provided in early July.

Returning students may choose a three-hour window between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on either Friday, August 28, or Saturday, August 29.

Residents may request an early move-in on Sunday, August 23. Check-in for early arrivals will occur in the student’s assigned residence hall.

Off-Campus Students

Students living off campus should work with their landlords or apartment management to ensure a safe move-in and fall semester. Common sense and preventative measures can help keep off-campus dwellings safe and healthy for residents and visitors. For more information on creating a healthy living environment, visit Breaking the Chain of Infection.

Move-In Health and Safety Guidelines

• Students or helpers may not come to campus if they have a fever, any respiratory symptoms, or a positive COVID-19 test.
• Each resident can bring two helpers to campus, but one must remain with their vehicle.
• Elevator use is limited to one resident and one helper.
• Overnight on-campus accommodations will not be available to helpers.
• Face masks are mandatory and must be worn at all times.
• Physical distancing must be maintained.
• High-contact surfaces should be disinfected regularly.
• Hands should be washed frequently.

If you have any questions, please email restart@geneseo.edu.

Best wishes for an enjoyable rest of your summer! Everyone at Geneseo is excited to welcome you to campus in a few short weeks.

Sincerely,

Michael Taberski
Vice President for Student and Campus Life

July 22: Fall Academic Plans

(Email to students from Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Stacey Roberston)

Please also see a BRIEF slide summary of the key points in this email.

As we move into the last weeks of the summer, I am reaching out to share information about your courses and schedule for the fall semester. We know that you are likely anxious about your classes, and this email is intended to provide information on some of the more common questions that students might have.

This email contains information only about academic programming in the fall. Although it is a lengthy email, I hope that you will read through it in its entirety as it contains important information about your classes and the learning experience for the fall. The key topics covered in this email include:

• Information on fall teaching modes: Definitions of online, hybrid, and face-to-face classes and how you can adjust your schedule.
• Information on the academic experience for the fall: Helping you envision what fall classes will look like, reminders about the benefits of an on-campus learning experience, and resources to help you thrive in online, hybrid, and face-to-face classes.

If you have questions about other elements of the campus experience, please refer to COVID-19 Updates and Resources to determine the correct office to contact. The Restart Geneseo page has comprehensive information on planning for campus activities, housing, dining, and public health measures.

Information on Teaching Modes for Fall Classes

The Fall 2020 schedule was developed prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the changed circumstances we now face, the college has necessarily adjusted teaching modalities for fall courses. These decisions reflect a variety of factors including available space, the size of the class, faculty needs regarding health concerns, and the most effective teaching mode in different subjects. This means that most student schedules will include a mix of online, hybrid, and fully face-to-face courses. Regardless of the mode of delivery, you will be participating in a high-quality learning experience that reflects Geneseo’s many strengths.

The Registrar’s Office will be emailing all students separately when the course schedule has been finalized with information on teaching mode. Key things to note are:

• You can find information on what type of courses (online, hybrid, or face-to-face) you are enrolled in for the fall by checking your schedule in Knightweb (accessible through my.geneseo.edu). Modality for all courses is also listed in the master schedule at courses.geneseo.edu.
• If you would like to adjust your fall schedule based on the mode of delivery, you will be able to do so beginning August 3. At any point between August 3 and the end of the drop/add period on September 4, you may adjust your schedule by dropping classes and/or adding classes with available seats. The Registrar’s Office webpage has a help sheet that explains how you can adjust your schedule.
• The Office of the Dean for Academic Planning and Advising can assist students who have extraordinary needs for schedule adjustments. When possible, we can also assist you with adjusting your schedule to include a good balance of online, hybrid, and face-to-face classes. 

Definitions of Online/Hybrid/Face-to-Face Classes

Online: All course materials are accessible in Canvas, our campus learning management system. You’ll be interacting with your faculty and other students virtually. This may include a combination of self-paced work that you do on your own, live sessions through Zoom or another platform, collaborative online discussions, and group or individual projects.

• Some courses will be “asynchronous.” This means that you can move through the course materials independently, with engagement primarily happening in discussion boards or other formats that you can access at any time.
• Other courses will have a “synchronous” component. This means that if you can, you will be expected to join a live class session, which may include discussion or other interactive class activities. Although this mode of teaching is different from a traditional college classroom, Geneseo faculty have done extraordinary work in ensuring that our online courses are accessible, engaging, and reflect the best components of our student-centered approach to learning.

Hybrid: This involves a mix of in-person activities on campus with online work. In a traditional course your in-person experiences might include lectures, group discussions, or hands-on work; in a hybrid course, some elements — such as lectures or demonstrations — will be accessible online, and your in-person experience will include in-class discussions, experiments, problem sets, performances, or other types of work that is enhanced by opportunities to be in the classroom with your faculty and peers. You should expect that some of your hybrid classes may be divided into cohorts for in-person meetings in response to physical distancing requirements. As with online courses, our faculty have been working hard to ensure that learning experiences in hybrid classes are engaging and accessible.

Face-to-face classes: These classes will be conducted in-person on campus. Courses have been scheduled in rooms large enough to accommodate physical distancing requirements.

The On-Campus Experience During COVID-19

Even if the majority of your classes this fall are taught entirely online, there are good reasons for students to be on campus. Joining us on campus will provide you with easy access to a variety of offices and resources that can support your academic success and engagement. The college has excellent internet access and technology, which means that you’ll have unbroken and dependable access to your online coursework. Our library services will be available. Campus study spaces will be open, and you can use them as places to connect with other students and quietly complete your coursework. We also have a team of on-campus academic support resources including tutors, peer mentors, faculty and professional staff here to help support you.

Additionally, our colleagues in Student and Campus Life have been working through the summer to ensure that on-campus students will have access to a wide range of engagement opportunities that meet guidelines for public health and physical distancing. Although we expect that all students will have an impactful and engaging fall semester, students on campus will be well-served with opportunities to interact in person with other students, faculty, and campus programming.

We know that the fall will look different from a traditional semester at Geneseo. Above all, we want to ensure that we’re protecting the health of members of our campus community. That means that you’ll see some additional precautions that are in line with the most up-to-date guidance from the CDC, the New York State Department of Health, and local authorities. Some things that you’ll notice include:

• All members of the college community will be wearing face masks in academic buildings and common areas. In some classes, faculty may wear clear face shields. Although you are strongly encouraged to bring your own face masks, the college will also be providing masks for anyone who needs one. If you need your faculty to wear a transparent face covering (e.g., to enable lip reading), you can let them know directly or reach out to the Office of Accessibility at access@geneseo.edu.
• Classroom density will be reduced to accommodate physical distancing requirements. Seating will be arranged to guarantee six-foot distancing, and there may be some layout modifications to promote safety (for example, plexiglass shields around the faculty lectern).
• Everyone on campus will be asked to complete a daily symptom check through an online app. This is a very simple process where you’ll be asked to confirm that you are not experiencing any of the common symptoms associated with COVID-19.
• All students now have access to the Navigate student app, which gives you convenient access to information about campus offices, your class schedule, resources for finding study buddies in your classes, and other vital resources. You can sign up at the Geneseo Navigate Student webpage or download the app to your mobile device.
• We’ve also adjusted the academic calendar for the fall semester to ensure the health and safety of the campus and to help facilitate a transition to remote instruction if necessary. The traditional fall break has been eliminated and we have added two “rejuvenation days” in the middle of week four (Sept. 30) and week eight (Oct. 27). These rejuvenation days are intended to give you a break from classes to regroup and recharge mid-semester. The Thanksgiving holiday occurs as normally scheduled at week 12. If conditions do not support in-person classes after Thanksgiving break, the balance of the semester will be completed remotely.

As we work through the fall semester, please know that the college community is here to support students in our most important work: educating students. We want to encourage everyone to practice growth-minded approaches to the coming semester, which may require flexibility, understanding, compassion, and self-reflection. We’ll do everything possible to ensure that you have a smooth and safe fall semester.

Protecting Your Community: What Are We Asking From Students?

Above all, we want you to take care of yourselves and do what you can to protect others in our community. It’s essential that if you’re feeling unwell, you stay home from in-person classes to protect both yourself and others in our community.

Our commitment to community safety also means that we need everyone on campus to take guidance about public health seriously. That means practicing good hygiene and physical distancing, avoiding large public gatherings, and behaving in a way that is socially- and civically-responsible. Remember that some who are infected with COVID-19 may have no symptoms, so please be responsible by wearing a face mask and practicing physical distancing.

We also recognize that the pandemic may contribute to stress and anxiety. Taking care of yourself also means attending to these needs. If you need a break, take it, and keep in mind the college’s resources that support general health and wellbeing (link to Lauderdale).

Support for Academic Success

Geneseo has a range of academic support services that can help you stay on track and succeed in classes. We encourage you to make use of these resources as part of your normal studying routine. Early interactions with your faculty, tutoring resources, learning centers, supplemental instruction, and peer mentoring programs will set you up for success and are always more impactful when used proactively rather than after you’ve experienced setbacks or challenges. Note that for the 2020-21 academic year, while there will be some face-to-face opportunities to use academic support resources, all will be available online for students who are unable to be on campus or meet in-person. The resources available at the college include:

• Tutoring and Learning Centers: The Writing Learning Center (link) and Math Learning Center (link) offer by-appointment and drop-in tutoring for any student who would like to work on writing or computational skills. Many departments also offer discipline-specific tutoring particularly for students in introductory courses.
• Supplemental Instruction (SI): In courses with SI, academic peer mentors who have been successful in courses offer additional out-of-class opportunities to review and reinforce course materials. SI sessions generally meet weekly and are especially impactful if you attend regularly. Information about tutoring and SI can be found on the college’s Academic Support Services page and will be updated with hours early in the fall semester.
• Academic and Career Peer Mentors are advanced students who can help you with studying, scheduling, and communication skills. In the fall you will be able to schedule virtual appointments with APMs and attend their academic success workshops.
• Library: Our award-winning library services will continue in the renovated Fraser Library space this fall. Online resources, including journals and databases, will continue to be available. Although public health guidance will limit the circulation of some types of materials, resources that you need to be successful in your classes will continue to be available as will our Information Delivery Services. There will also be some study space available. Information about library services and resources is being updated regularly on the Library Services Updates page.
• Faculty Office Hours: Faculty will continue to offer drop-in office hours and can schedule appointments. Some faculty will continue to hold in-person office hours, but all will offer online options. Faculty will share their office hour plans with you on your course syllabus. Even though office hours will look different this year, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to interact with your faculty outside of class times and we continue to urge you to take advantage of these opportunities.
• KOALA: Knights’ Online Academic Learning Assistance will roll out this fall, ensuring that students always have a centralized way to ask any questions about taking online courses at Geneseo. CIT’s support modules also have many tips for navigating and succeeding when students use the Canvas Learning Management System, whether for online or in-person courses. If you are new to online learning, you may also wish to start with this Tips for Success guide provided by Geneseo’s Information Technology group.

July 21: SUNYAC Suspends Fall 2020 Athletics

(Email from Vice President for Student and Campus Life Michael Taberski)

Monday, July 20, the SUNY Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announced that, in response to ongoing health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, its member institutions will suspend fall sports competition. It also announced that winter conference and non-conference schedules will be delayed until January 2021.

We at SUNY Geneseo acknowledge that this decision—while made in the interest of health and safety—is disappointing to our student-athletes and all who support intercollegiate athletics across our Geneseo community. As a follow up to the SUNYAC announcements, SUNY Geneseo is working to identify alternative athletics and recreation program options for the campus community. In addition, student-athletes can expect to hear more in the coming days from their coaches regarding their continued engagement with the Geneseo athletic program and their teams.

“The Department of Athletics and Recreation will continue to develop ways to provide meaningful opportunities for our students to engage in athletic experiences and personal growth during this very challenging time," said Director of Athletics Mike Mooney. "These experiences will include skill development, leadership opportunities, small-group workouts, instruction, and community service."

We understand this action prompts the question of whether the 2020–21 athletics fee will be adjusted. Given the dynamic nature of both the pandemic and decision-making around athletics, it is premature at this time for us to respond until the situation for the 2020–21 academic year is better known.

We remain committed to ensuring a vibrant student experience for our campus community. Please visit the COVID-19 Updates and Resources website for the latest information on our Fall 2020 semester.

July 15: Employee Information and Training for Return to Campus

(Email from Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Julie Briggs)

Dear Employees,

As was shared in a recent campus wide email, SUNY Geneseo plans to welcome students back to campus for the new academic year in August, with classes beginning on Monday, August 31, 2020. SUNY Geneseo will continue to encourage the use of the telecommuting policy, where appropriate, through October 2nd, in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Concurrently, we are planning for the phased return (throughout the summer) of our employees who are essential in serving our students. All plans for our employees’ phased return to on-campus employment shall be arranged between the employee and their supervisor.

It is important to note that in preparation for bringing our employees back, vice presidents will work with area supervisors to develop and submit a plan that documents the measures that will be taken to help create a safe workplace for their staff and others. These measures must include, but are not limited to, basic infection prevention measures, physical distancing, the required wearing of face coverings, and possible office reconfiguration within the areas where workers are assigned. In addition, supervisors are encouraged to consider staggered reporting/departing times for their employees so there are fewer people who meet at common entry and exit points. The campus as a whole is continuing to add more health and safety features across our facilities, department spaces, and classrooms.

Required Training Module

As part of the return to campus process, employees need to complete the COVID-19 Employee Information and Training Module. The module contains a 12-minute video developed by New York State for our workforce. The entire module takes approximately 30 minutes to fully complete. You may access the training module by clicking the link for the COVID-19 Employee Information and Training.

Daily COVID-19 Screening Process for those Coming to Campus

As indicted last week, all employees coming to campus must complete a daily COVID-19 screening process within one hour of their arrival to campus each day. A web-based screening tool is located on the myGeneseo portal and on the Human Resources web page.

Request for Reasonable Accommodations

In addition, employees whose health condition falls within one of the CDC High Risk Categories or are pregnant may seek a temporary COVID-19 Workplace Adjustment using the SUNY Geneseo Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers from High Risk States

As a reminder, on June 24, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 205, which requires individuals to quarantine for 14 days after traveling for 24 hours or longer to states that have a positive test rate for COVID-19 of higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or higher than a 10% positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average. For an overview of the Executive Order, please refer to Interim Guidance for Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in New York State Following Out of State Travel, which was issued by DOH on June 24, 2020. 

On June 26, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.45, which modifies New York’s COVID-19 sick leave law (Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2020) to make employees ineligible for paid sick leave benefits if the employee travels to a state identified in Executive Order 205 after June 25, 2020 and the travel was not directed by the employee’s employer.

DOH maintains a list of the specific states for which quarantine is required following travel for 24 hours or longer: .

Testing

We also encourage employees to be tested for COVID-19 prior to returning to campus. There is a listing of testing site location on the Human Resources webpage for those who are interested in being tested.

Childcare Needs for Fall

I know employees have questions and concerns related to childcare needs if the local school districts do not have onsite classes and programs this fall. Human Resources is currently monitoring the situation. We expect guidance from the State on this topic as conditions are known.

Many members of the campus community have been diligently working together to ensure that our campus has the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff at the forefront of everything we do. We will continue this work and provide communication and periodic updates. We will continue to update the campus community on training, education, and pre-screening requirements in which we will be asking our employees to participate.

As a reminder, please continue to review our COVID-19 Updates & Resources website for the most up to date announcements and resources. And please remain in contact with your supervisors regarding work plans and schedules. If you have any questions, please email hr@geneseo.edu.

Sincerely,

Julie Briggs

July 6: Update to Executive Order 205 - Mandatory Quarantine for Travelers to New York

(Email from Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Julie Briggs)

Dear Geneseo Employees:

On June 24, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 205, which requires individuals to quarantine for 14 days after traveling for 24 hours or longer to states that have a positive test rate for COVID-19 of higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or higher than a 10% positivity rate over a seven-day rolling average. For an overview of the Executive Order, please refer to Interim Guidance for Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in New York State Following Out of State Travel, which was issued by DOH on June 24, 2020. On June 26, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.45, which modifies New York’s COVID-19 sick leave law (Chapter 25 of the Laws of 2020) to make employees ineligible for paid sick leave benefits if the employee travels to a state identified in Executive Order 205 after June 25, 2020 and the travel was not directed by the employee’s employer. DOH maintains a list of the specific states for which quarantine is required following travel for 24 hours or longer.

The following rules apply to all state employees who travel to a state designated by DOH that meets the criteria contained in Executive Order 205:

1. If an employee commenced travel on or before June 25, 2020, agencies should determine if the employee returning to work can telecommute for the duration of the quarantine pursuant to the Executive Order. If the employee cannot telecommute, the employee shall be covered by any quarantine leave applicable to the employee under any law, rule, regulation, or policy. If no quarantine leave is available, the employee shall charge appropriate leave accruals.

2. If an employee commenced travel after June 25, 2020, regardless of return date, agencies should determine if the employee returning to work can telecommute for the duration of the quarantine pursuant to the Executive Order. If the employee cannot telecommute, the employee shall be eligible to charge appropriate leave accruals but shall not be permitted access to quarantine leave under any law, rule, regulation, or policy.

3. These rules apply to employee travel to states that are added to the DOH list and posted on the DOH website after June 25, 2020. If a state is added to the list after an employee commences travel, the provisions of paragraph 1 above shall apply. If a state is added to the list on or before the date the employee commences travel, the provisions of paragraph 2 above shall apply.

4. Paragraphs 1-3 do not apply if an employee travels to a designated state as part of the employee’s employment or at the direction of the employee’s agency. If an agency orders an employee to travel to a designated state for work, the agency should first determine whether the employee can telecommute for the duration of the quarantine pursuant to the Executive Order. If the employee cannot telecommute, the employee shall be placed on quarantine leave at full pay without charge to accruals.

5. Employees returning from a designated state who cannot telecommute and are deemed essential to an agency’s operations are eligible to return to work pursuant to the Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure issued by DOH on May 31.

Before traveling out of state, all employees should consult the DOH website address listed above to confirm whether they are traveling to a state that requires quarantine upon return to New York.

July 3: Restart Geneseo

(Email from President Denise A. Battles)

The State University of New York has now approved Geneseo’s fall restart plan, and I am pleased to inform you that we will be welcoming you back to campus in August! While the plan is subject to change due to new information, guidance, or direction from the state, we hope it will give you a clearer vision of what fall will look like at Geneseo.

The College’s Restart Geneseo plan for Fall 2020 includes practices that will help provide a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. It is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to a safe and healthy semester. To support that goal, the College has implemented the following:

Initial Return and Amended Calendar

• All members of our campus community will be expected to follow Reopening New York guidelines for higher education institutions strictly.
• We will require students to self-isolate for a 7-day precautionary quarantine at home before coming to campus. Students must sign and submit a form attesting to this self-quarantining, undergo a health screening upon arrival on campus, and use a web-based health screening app daily. We will notify you soon with instructions on accessing the attestation form and the app.
• First-year student move-in is set for Wednesday, August 26; returning students will move in on Saturday, August 29. Student move-in times will be staggered to ensure social distancing. Students will be allowed one additional person to help with move-in, and both will receive a brief in-vehicle health screening upon entering campus. Classes will start on Monday, August 31.
• We have revised our academic calendar to reallocate fall break into two rejuvenation days to give us short breaks at week four (September 30) and week eight (October 27). Thanksgiving occurs at the end of week 12. If conditions do not support in-person classes after the Thanksgiving break, the balance of the semester will be completed remotely. We strongly encourage members of the College community to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly to high-risk areas, between the start of the semester and Thanksgiving break.

Academic Experience

• All learning and study spaces will have reduced capacity limits to accommodate the need for physical distancing.
• Classes will be taught in a variety of formats: in-person, online, and hybrid (a combination of in-person and online learning). Large enrollment courses will be offered as hybrid or online. Hybrid classes will divide students into smaller groups to accommodate face-to-face meetings as often as possible.
• Facial coverings will be required in all public spaces on campus where social distancing cannot be maintained. This includes classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories, and other instructional spaces.
• Students will soon receive updated information about their class formats, and will have the opportunity to adjust their course selections when registration reopens on August 10.
• Geneseo is committed to supporting educational progress for all students. We will offer high-quality academic support services such as tutoring and advisement in all formats. Faculty are designing courses to be accessible to all students, including those who may not be able to be physically present on campus in the fall.
• Geneseo will continue to provide our students with an exceptional educational experience. Our approach to learning foregrounds opportunities for meaningful engagement with faculty, staff, other students, and the wider community. Faculty and support staff are working diligently to ensure that these fundamental elements of the Geneseo experience are accessible to students in their courses, regardless of the format.

Student and Campus Life Experience

• Students living in suite-style residence hall units will continue to share common spaces in those suites in small, family-style groups. A limited number of Superior Singles will be made available. Medical singles will be made available, upon request, for those that qualify through our Office of Accessibility Services.
• The College has designated residence hall space that may be used to support quarantine, if needed.
• Campus dining will now accommodate physical distancing. Table placement and seating will be adjusted to increase spacing for dine-in service. Dining centers will have online ordering, take-out options, and delivery services to reduce volume in dine-in facilities.
• Student and Campus Life professional staff are assessing and revising approaches to campus programs, community engagement and volunteer opportunities, and recreational and athletic events to ensure that students have continued access to impactful opportunities for engagement that are consistent with best practices in public health and safety.
• Geneseo's commitment to inclusivity will be especially important in the coming year. This means that the entire college will need to work together to support the needs of our community. We recognize that the risks and impacts of the pandemic will be different for each individual and are committed to ensuring that campus experiences are accessible, that equity is foregrounded in our work, and that we will respond effectively to instances of bias and discrimination.

Cleanliness

• All classrooms, residence halls, and campus common areas will be subject to enhanced cleaning and disinfection.
• Increased routine cleaning and disinfecting will be based on the CDC/EPA guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces.
• Additional protections such as Plexiglass barriers will be installed where appropriate and supplies such as hand sanitizing stations and disinfectant wipes will be widely available in public spaces.

Student Health and Counseling

Student Health and Counseling is in regular contact with the Livingston County Department of Health and local hospital facilities to ensure that the College has comprehensive support for testing, monitoring, contact tracing, and treatment. Health and Counseling staff also continuously monitor and respond to advice from the New York State Department of Health, the CDC, and other external agencies.

Restart Geneseo Compact

In response to the pandemic, new processes and procedures are being implemented across campus to further promote health and safety. We are asking SUNY Geneseo students who will attend classes and/or work on campus to agree and adhere to the Restart Geneseo Compact, which requires all students to complete a daily health screening questionnaire for seven days prior to their date of arriving on campus. All students will be expected to complete the daily health screen via the app or paper form during the Fall 2020 semester. Facilities updates are underway. All members of the campus community will be participating in updated campus safety programs. As an institution committed to civic responsibility and ethical local and global citizenship, we expect that all members of the college community will do their part to protect the health and safety of others. The COVID-19 pandemic requires us all to be mindful of our own choices and consider the impact that they have on others.

We will regularly update our COVID-19 Updates & Resources website with new information, and I encourage you to visit it often as more details emerge. If you have questions or comments about our plans that aren’t covered by that page, I invite you to connect with the planning team by emailing restart@geneseo.edu.

Thank you for your patience as we work to develop a plan for a safe semester. We look forward to having you back on campus in August!

To view older COVID-19-related communications, visit the COVID-19 Communications Archive.