Fall 2022 COVID-19 Guidelines

These guidelines explain SUNY Geneseo’s policies and procedures regarding COVID-19 vaccination, surveillance testing, and other 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.

Quick Answers

Please contact health@geneseo.edu with any questions.

Vaccine Requirement

Per New York State policy, all students must submit documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination or have an approved exemption to attend in-person classes. COVID-19 boosters are not required for Fall 2022 attendance.

Visit vaccines.gov for a list of COVID-19 vaccine locations near SUNY Geneseo. Please also review the falsification of COVID-19 records web page.

Is vaccination required if I've had COVID-19?

Yes. You are eligible for a primary vaccination after you have had COVID-19, as soon as you have completed isolation and have fully recovered from the illness.

However, if you received passive antibody therapy (e.g. monoclonal antibodies) as part of your treatment for COVID-19 then you should wait 90 days after that treatment to get a vaccine because the antibodies can interfere with vaccine response. If this applies to you, you must submit a medical exemption form.

Do I have to provide proof of a COVID-19 booster too?

No. SUNY Geneseo no longer requires students to show proof of a COVID-19 booster.

Mask Guidelines

The campus is mask optional for all individuals. Unvaccinated and unboosted individuals are strongly encouraged to continue masking.

Please note that students with COVID-19 and students who were exposed to COVID-19 through close contact must wear a mask around others for 10 days per the New York State Department of Health’s guidelines.

In addition, masks are still required in the following areas:

Lauderdale Health Center
Campus Community Resource Nurse - Onondaga Hall
Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor - Onondaga Hall  
All mass transportation, including RTS buses on campus

Individuals are encouraged and welcome to use a mask if they choose to do so. One-way masking has proven helpful in protecting the mask wearer. Medical paper masks will continue to be available in dispensers throughout campus. We will continue to monitor campus, local, and state conditions and make adjustments as needed in consultation with the LCDOH.

The College reserves the right to require masks at specific events or reinstate mask requirements if conditions change.

Surveillance Testing

Surveillance testing is mandatory for any student with a regular physical presence on campus who has a campus-approved medical or religious exemption from vaccination.

Vaccinated students do not need to surveillance test.

Returning students who have an approved exemption from vaccination please note that this new take-home test process replaces the College’s previous use of pooled testing in Sturges Hall.

  • Testing begins the week of August 29, 2022 and runs through the week of December 12, 2022.  
  • Given the need to notify Health Services of any positive result, we ask that you self-test between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday–Thursday.
  • You will complete one test each week, throughout the fall semester.
  • If you test POSITIVE, you must call contact Health Services immediately during business hours at 585-245-5736.
  • If you test NEGATIVE, simply dispose of the used test and prepare to test during the following week.
  • You will be provided with enough tests to take one each week for the entire fall semester, with a few extra tests in case you have the need to test more than once a week or find a test unusable for any reason.
  • Students who test positive do not have to test again for 90 days following their positive test.

Please contact the health services office at 585-245-5736 with any questions.

Getting Tested for COVID-19

 

If you have symptoms of COVID-19:

  1. Take an at-home COVID-19 test. If you don't have access to an at-home test, call Health and Counseling at 585-245-5736.
  2. Stay away from others and wear a mask until you get your results.

If you do not have symptoms:

If you are asymptomatic, you can obtain an at-home test over the counter at Wegman's, CVS, Walmart, etc.

If the test is negative:

  • If you feel well enough to attend class, put on a well-fitting mask, come to class, and maintain physical distance as much as possible.
  • If you choose to miss class due to these symptoms, you are responsible for reaching out to faculty as soon as possible to discuss ways of keeping up with missed work.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must:

  • Call Health and Counseling at 585-245-5736 to report your positive test result.
  • Isolate yourself from others for five days.

Where to isolate:

  • On-Campus students are required to leave campus to complete their isolation at home unless arrangements have been made with Residence Life (reslife@geneseo.edu).
  • Off-campus or commuting from home students need to stay home.

What to do during isolation:

  • You are likely most infectious during the first five days, so wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home.
  • Do not share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
  • If your symptoms get worse or you get any new symptoms, contact Health and Counseling at 585-245-5736.
  • Tell roommates and friends to call Health and Counseling at 585-245-5736 if they also test positive.

What to do after isolation:

  • Wear a high-quality mask for another five days after isolation (for a total of 10 days).
  • Do not share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.

Calculation of the isolation start and end:

  • Day 0 of isolation is the day you test positive.
  • Day 1 is the first FULL day following the day you tested positive.  
  • Day 5 is the last FULL day you are in isolation.
  • Day 6 is the day your isolation ENDS.

For example: If you test positive on 9/7/22, day 1 is 9/8/22 and your isolation ENDS on 9/13/22.

Keeping up with classes during COVID-related absences:

Students who need to miss classes for an extended period of time (including COVID-related isolation orders) 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.

Testing Positive for COVID-19 and Professor Notification

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must:

  • Call Health and Counseling at 585-245-5736 to report your positive test result.
  • Isolate yourself from others for five days.

Where to isolate:

  • On-Campus students are required to leave campus to complete their isolation at home unless arrangements have been made with Residence Life (reslife@geneseo.edu).
  • Off-campus or commuting from home students need to stay home.

What to do during isolation:

  • You are likely most infectious during the first five days, so wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home.
  • Do not share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
  • If your symptoms get worse or you get any new symptoms, contact Health and Counseling at 585-245-5736.
  • Tell roommates and friends to call Health and Counseling at 585-245-5736 if they also test positive.

What to do after isolation:

  • Wear a high-quality mask for another five days after isolation (for a total of 10 days).
  • Do not share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.

Calculation of the isolation start and end:

  • Day 0 of isolation is the day you test positive.
  • Day 1 is the first FULL day following the day you tested positive.  
  • Day 5 is the last FULL day you are in isolation.
  • Day 6 is the day your isolation ENDS.

For example: If you test positive on 9/7/22, day 1 is 9/8/22 and your isolation ENDS on 9/13/22.

Keeping up with classes during COVID-related absences:

Students who need to miss classes for an extended period of time (including COVID-related isolation orders) 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.

COVID-19 Exposure

If you were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and you do not have symptoms, wear a mask for 10 days when around others and watch out for developing symptoms.

students at expo
campus

Additional Resources