As we enter the final weeks of the fall 2021 semester, we can be thankful that COVID-19 cases among students, faculty and staff have been low, our vaccination rates are high, and our testing, contact tracing and quarantine/isolation infrastructure remain robust and effective at reducing community spread.
Health and safety policies remain in place to protect the SUNY New Paltz community. We are still updating our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to help everyone navigate evolving policies and best practices during this pandemic.
The following FAQs are intended to help clarify campus-wide policies for in-person events and programs on our campus, especially those where students, faculty, staff and visitors may be invited to share campus spaces.
What are the COVID-19 policies for ticketed events, such as fine & performing arts programs?
If you are attending a ticketed event at SUNY New Paltz, such as a music or theatre performance, or are visiting the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, please follow these policies:
DO NOT ATTEND in-person events at SUNY New Paltz if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Wear a mask at all times while inside campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
If you are a SUNY New Paltz student, faculty or staff member, you can gain admittance by showing your campus ID.
If you are not a student, faculty or staff member and are 17 years or older, you must show photo ID and proof of full vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the event. Proof of full vaccination may include a CDC vaccination card or a valid New York State Excelsior Pass.
If you are not a student, faculty or staff member and are under the age of 17, you are exempt from the vaccination requirement when accompanied by a parent or guardian or when attending as part of an approved school field trip. Children this age must still follow the indoor masking policy.
What are the COVID-19 policies for one-time visits to campus for non-ticketed events like athletics contests, public presentations, receptions, campus tours or trips to the Library?
If you are visiting spaces on campus that are open to the public, please follow these policies:
Wear a mask at all times while inside campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
Visitors are not required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to be on campus. However, the College strongly encourages visitors to respect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff by being fully vaccinated or having a recent negative test if you are planning to be present on our campus.
What are the policies for other programs where campus visitors may have a sustained presence?
There are some programs and situations, such as the Lifetime Learning Institute and events at the Athletic & Wellness Center, when people who are not students, faculty or staff may have a sustained, regular presence on our campus.
Campus guests involved in these types of programs should follow these policies:
DO NOT ATTEND in-person events at SUNY New Paltz if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Wear a mask at all times while inside campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
Provide proof of vaccination to the designated contact for that program.
For example: Lifetime Learning Institute members participating in in-person courses must be fully vaccinated, and must show proof of vaccination to the program coordinator. The College will confirm the proof of vaccination, update the member’s records, then destroy the proof of vaccination documentation.
