SUNY New Paltz shares the following guidance and resources for members of the public, to help raise awareness of measures the College is taking to promote health and safety among all members of our community.
While the New Paltz campus remains open to the public, most campus buildings currently require student or employee ID cards to enter. A number of campus spaces will begin the fall semester operating with reduced capacities and hours of operation, and some will remain temporarily closed to the public through the fall.
The College has implemented many other policies to prevent disease transmission, including masking and social distancing requirements.
Many of these policies are described in detail in our New Paltz Forward Reopening Plan and related series of Frequently Asked Questions.
Information that will be most relevant to our campus visitors and neighbors are summarized below.
Are outdoor spaces on the SUNY New Paltz campus open to visitors?
Yes, all walking paths remain open to the public, with the requirement that visitors using these spaces maintain social distancing of six feet and wear masks when they are unable to maintain that distance.
Outdoor athletics fields, including tennis courts, are open only to SUNY New Paltz students, faculty and staff, until further notice.
Will the Athletics & Wellness Center be open to the public in fall 2020?
No, the Center will be open to students only with recreational activities scheduled in blocks of time to allow for expanded cleaning protocols.
Athletics & Wellness staff will continue to produce virtual, online wellness programming, accessible to all students, faculty, staff and members.
The campus pool will be open only to students and employees.
Is the campus Welcome Center staffed and open to the public?
No, the Welcome Center in Haggerty Administration Building is temporarily closed except with campus ID card access.
Those who call the Welcome Center by phone will hear a prerecorded message directing them to email questions and comments to npinfo@hawkmail.newpaltz.edu. Staff are checking that email daily and will respond to messages within two business days of receipt.
Will the Dorsky Museum be open to the public in fall 2020?
Yes. The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz is closed for the summer but will reopen in September 2020 with a full schedule of fall exhibitions.
However, it will operate at reduced capacity with a limited number of occupants allowed in each gallery at any one time. Museum staff and visitors will be required to wear masks and maintain six feet of social distancing at all times.
The Museum may also operate at reduced hours or be open fewer days per week, due to reduced student staffing.
The Dorsky Museum will hold events as allowed by health and safety guidelines for group gatherings, and will also present select public programs in online formats.
Will the Sojourner Truth Library be open to the public in fall 2020?
No. Access to the Sojourner Truth Library will be permitted only with SUNY ID, in order to ensure safe social distancing while still allowing our students and employees access to vital academic resources.
Library staff will be able to take advantage of voluntary telework arrangements, and Library hours may be limited to ensure safe and adequate staffing.
Seating capacities on the Library’s three floors will be reduced, and door monitors and other tools may be used to limit the number of people in the building at one time. Separate doors will be designated for entrance and exit.
Plexiglass dividers will be used at public counters. No public events or meetings will be held in the lobby area or in conference room.
Will Theatre Arts performances be open to the public in fall 2020?
Yes, as previously announced, the Department of Theatre Arts has restructured its performance schedule with 10 staged readings planned for the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters.
Audiences will be able to attend these performances in limited numbers while masking and maintaining social distance.
The staged reading format is designed to enable performers to wear personal protective equipment, including masks.
The Department’s plan for 2020-21 is contingent on campus, local, state and federal guidelines. Plans may change if and when said guidelines evolve over the course of the semester.
Will the Speech-Language Hearing Center be open to the public in fall 2020?
Yes, the Center will continue to provide services to community members on a limited basis with new restrictions and safety protocols in place.
All speech services will be delivered remote only, as a best practice to reduce person-to-person transmission.
The audiology clinic will continue to deliver in-person services at lower density and social distancing requirements in place. Personal protective equipment will be required.
Simulated clinical experiences and teletherapy are available. Contact the Center at (845) 257-3600 to learn more.
Will the Literacy Center be open to the public in fall 2020?
All literacy programming for children at the Literacy Center will be delivered remotely during the fall semester. Contact Director Sam Slotnick at slotnics@newpaltz.edu for more info.
Will the John R. Kirk Planetarium be open to the public in fall 2020?
In-person shows have been suspended indefinitely, as the close quarters inside the Planetarium make adequate social distancing impossible.
Planetarium Director Raj Pandya has been producing virtual planetarium shows on a biweekly basis. These shows are streamed live on the College’s Facebook page, and recordings are published to the College’s YouTube channel.
Some in-person events may be held at the Smolen Observatory, as these are outdoor events that can take place with social distancing and masking.
Will the Atrium and Student Union be open to the public in fall 2020?
No, these spaces will be open only to students and employees with ID card access.
The College will continue to host the District 9 polling location on campus, and we will work with the Ulster County Board of Elections to ensure this effort follows appropriate social distancing and other safety measures for voters.
Will outside conferences be held at SUNY New Paltz in fall 2020?
No, the College is foregoing these revenue-generating partnerships this fall as part of our comprehensive effort to protect the health and safety of our campus community.
For more information, visit our New Paltz Forward Reopening Plan and related series of Frequently Asked Questions.
