Test Before You Go: All students in on-campus population must test negative before going home for Thanksgiving
SUNY New Paltz is adding additional COVID-19 testing dates during the week of Nov. 16 – 20, in order to comply with the SUNY-wide requirement that students at all 64 campuses must test negative for COVID-19 before they leave for Thanksgiving break.
Per the SUNY policy, all New Paltz students who live on campus, as well as those who have come to campus for any reason during the semester, are required to test negative for COVID-19 before they leave for the Thanksgiving Recess. Students who have no on-campus presence are also encouraged to test during this period.
Beginning on Monday, Nov. 16, the College is expanding our on-campus testing to make it as easy as possible for students to Test Before You Go and protect your families, friends and loved ones at home before the holiday.
Test Before You Go: Information for Students
New Paltz students can satisfy SUNY’s Test Before You Go requirement by getting quick, no-cost COVID-19 pool testing at Awosting Hall during the week of Nov. 16 – 20. On-campus pool testing is open to all students, whether or not you live on campus.
Pool testing is provided on a walk-in basis. No appointment is necessary, but you must be sure create your account in advance if you have not already done so, and bring your mobile device and campus ID card to the testing site.
Also, to ensure accurate results, you must not eat, drink, smoke or vape within 30 minutes prior to your test, and must not brush teeth or use mouthwash within three hours prior to your test.
Students should appear for testing based on their declared major, according to the following schedule:
Monday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Wednesday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.:
Business, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Fine & Performing Arts and Education majors
Thursday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. & Friday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.:
Science & Engineering majors, and undeclared and non-matriculated students
The College will accommodate students who appear for testing on any of these days, but we appreciate your cooperation in sticking to this schedule if possible, as an even distribution of testing will help avoid delays.
If you aren’t sure what school/college your major falls under, you can use this link to figure it out.
PCR testing will also be available to all students on Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Awosting Hall. PCR testing is available by appointment only; Please use this link to check availability. PCR testing doesn’t require the same restrictions as pool testing – you may brush your teeth or eat before getting a PCR test.
If you are unable to participate in COVID-19 testing during the week of Nov. 16, or if you prefer to test as late as possible before seeing loved ones, there will be a Last Chance Pool Testing option on Monday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Awosting Hall. Please note that while we expect results by Nov. 25 delays are possible, meaning that results from tests taken on Nov. 23 may not be available until after Thanksgiving.
Students can also satisfy the SUNY testing mandate by getting an off-campus test and submitting results to the Student Health Center at healthservice@newpaltz.edu. Off-campus test results must be submitted by Nov. 30.
Students who fail to get a COVID-19 test before they go home for Thanksgiving break will face judicial consequences.
Test Before You Go: Information for Faculty and Staff
Pursuant to agreements with bargaining units, SUNY is strongly encouraging faculty and staff to be tested before Thanksgiving as well.
Faculty and staff are welcome to be tested according to the previously published pool testing schedule, and are also encouraged to take advantage of the expanded options on Nov. 16, 17, 18 and 23.
Employees who would like to get a PCR test on Tuesday, Nov. 17, should use this form to make an appointment. All pool testing options on other dates are offered on a walk-in basis.
An “employees-only” testing hour will be offered from 9 – 10 a.m. on Nov. 19 and 20.
One more thing: Volunteers Wanted to Help Make Pool Testing a Success
The College is also seeking volunteers to support a successful, expanded round of pool testing. Students, faculty and staff can use this link to learn more about volunteer positions, safety protocols and how to sign up.
Thank you to all members of our community who support this process by getting tested, volunteering to help with testing and doing their part to protect our families and loved ones before the well-deserved Thanksgiving Recess.