College requiring vaccination for fall sport athletes

SUNY New Paltz is requiring all fall sport athletes (competing in men’s & women’s cross country and soccer, field hockey, women’s tennis and women’s volleyball) to be fully vaccinated or in progress of a vaccination series, or to have been approved by the College for a medical or religious exemption, before participation in practice or competition in the fall 2021 season.

The College is taking this step in light of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the Hudson Valley, and in recognition of the necessary close contact that takes place during athletic activities.

This policy is consistent with recommendations from the State of New York, the NCAA and local health authorities to support a safe resumption of full athletic activity this fall. The policy is subject to change per state, local, CDC, College and NCAA guidelines.

The College is continuing to monitor COVID-19 data and is evaluating options for winter and spring sports policies.

Fully vaccinated student-athletes, coaches and Tier 1 personnel will be able assume normal, pre-pandemic practice and game operations, including daily locker room use, equipment issue, team travel and competition.

Masks will not be required for vaccinated athletes during practice or competition. Per campus-wide policy, masking will be required for everyone during travel and indoor team activities unrelated to practice and competition.

Partially or unvaccinated students may be excluded from off-campus competition based on the host institution’s vaccination requirements. New Paltz has already had to make changes to fall competition schedules because of another institution’s requirement that all students be vaccinated.

We remind any unvaccinated student-athletes, coaches and other Tier 1 personnel, including those in the process of becoming fully vaccinated or those with medical or religious exemptions, that they must follow all existing campus policies, including:

Getting tested for COVID-19 every week they are on campus.

NCAA guidelines require COVID-19 PCR testing 72 hours in advance of all scheduled competition and upon return to campus, or COVID-19 antigen testing 24 hours in advance of competition and upon return to campus, for partially or unvaccinated athletes.

Locker room use by partially or unvaccinated people will be limited to competitions only. Masks or face coverings are required for everyone in locker rooms, per the campus indoor masking policy.

Wearing masks or face coverings indoors while on campus.

Masks or face coverings are required for everyone during all team travel, per the campus indoor masking policy.

Any unvaccinated students should also keep in mind that the SUNY-wide vaccine requirement for students will take effect when one COVID-19 vaccine gets full FDA approval, which may happen as soon as September.

As a reminder, students who are already vaccinated but have not shared their vaccination information with SUNY New Paltz are still classified as “unvaccinated” in our system and will be expected to follow policies for unvaccinated people. Students and employees in this situation can quickly correct their vaccination status using the COVID-19 Profile at my.newpaltz.edu.