Information on free masks for students
The following message was sent to students on Aug. 20.
Dear Students,
In an effort to protect the health and safety of the campus community, SUNY New Paltz has masks available for free to all students.
COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. In combination with social distancing and hand washing, properly wearing and maintaining masks is the first line of defense against the spread of COVID-19.
Masks must be worn anytime you cannot maintain a minimum distance of six feet from other people. It is required for everyone to wear a mask in classrooms and indoors except when in an individual office or residence hall room or suite.
How will I receive my mask?
All residential students will receive three masks when they move in. Residence Life staff have been working diligently to make sure all residential students receive these masks before the start of the semester.
Commuter students will be able to pick up their masks during the first three weeks of the semester. Volunteers will be staffing a pop-up tent outside of Jacobson Faculty Tower on the concourse during this window of time.
All commuters will be able to pickup two cloth masks, a two oz. bottle of hand sanitizer and a SUNY New Paltz branded mask while supplies last. Students will need their school IDs in order to complete pickup of these supplies. Please note the following schedule of operation:
- Week 1: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Aug. 24, 26 & 28, 10 a.m. – noon & 3 – 5 p.m.
- Week 2: Monday – Friday, Aug. 31 – Sept. 4, 10 a.m. – noon & 3 – 5 p.m.
- Week 3: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sept. 7, 9 & 11, 10 a.m. – noon & 3 – 5 p.m.
When would I need a new mask?
Cloth face masks are no longer effective if the following condition(s) exist:
- The mask droops too low and no longer covers your nose and mouth.
- The mask is too stretched out where it does not stay on your face when worn.
- The mask is critically damaged where protection is no longer provided.
- Masks are defective if the ties or straps break, or the fabric of the mask has holes or tears.
If one or all of these conditions exist, you should retrieve a new mask from the distribution locations outlined in the next section.
What happens if I need a new mask?
Whether you forget your mask when arriving on campus or find yours to be in an unusable state, there are ways you can obtain a new face covering for the day.
The campus has stocked vending machines on campus with masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) in several locations. Available for purchase are a pack of three disposable masks and a kit of one mask, hand sanitizer and wipes. These are available in Humanities Building, van den Berg Hall, Sojourner Truth Library, Coykendall Science Building, Peregrine Dining Hall, Science Hall and upstairs in the Student Union Building. Packs of reusable masks are also available in Open24, the large vending machine outside of the Student Union Building.
The Office of Emergency Management will be staffing a central store out of South Classroom Building room 103C as a secondary pickup location throughout the semester. If you forget your mask or notice that is no longer effective, you can receive a new one from this location. Mask pickup will be available week days from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. out of this location.
Scott Schulte
Director of Emergency Management
Matt Alfultis
Assistant Director of Emergency Management