Overview of expected spring 2022 COVID-19 policies
Update: The most current COVID-19 policies for spring 2022 can be found at this link.
The new link confirms our spring policies following New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement on Dec. 31, 2021, about new guidance for all SUNY and CUNY campuses for spring 2022.
The message below, which described expected policies as of Dec. 8, 2021, is being left here with text crossed out for archival purposes. Please refer to the link above to see our current spring policies.
As of Dec. 8, 2021, the College is awaiting any additional guidance from SUNY on COVID-19 policies for spring 2022, but we anticipate that campus guidance for spring will be largely the same as fall 2021, with consistent masking, testing and vaccine requirements to enable a high-quality academic and co-curricular experience for our students.
Please note that these are only our plans at this stage and should not be considered final. Policies described here are subject to change.
To have ID card access to campus buildings in spring 2022, all students must EITHER get a test OR get a booster before the first day of classes on Jan. 24
Since the pandemic began, our community has consistently seen higher caseloads at the beginning of semesters. This makes sense – as people return to New Paltz after well-deserved time away with family and friends, opportunities to be exposed to the virus are higher than when we all are more closely centered on and around campus and following campus protocols.
For this reason, the College will require students to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken between Jan. 12 – 22, OR to show proof of a booster vaccination received no later than Jan. 8, before they return to campus for the spring 2022 semester.
Students will not be given card access to campus buildings for spring 2022 until they submit booster information or show proof of a negative test.
Employees must also show proof of a negative COVID-19 test OR proof of a booster before the beginning of the spring 2022 semester.
The Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) has added a new feature to the COVID-19 Profile at my.newpaltz.edu that allows students and employees to upload information about their COVID-19 booster shots. Please click here for more details and instructions about that system.
We will continue to require masks indoors for everyone, regardless of vaccination status
New Paltz intends to maintain its existing indoor masking requirement for all campus spaces during the spring 2022 semester.
The CDC continues to recommend indoor masking in zones where COVID-19 transmission is classified as “substantial” or “high.” Ulster County remains in this category.
Our local contact tracing data bears out the efficacy of this approach: In fall 2021, we continued to find no evidence of classroom transmission of the coronavirus, with most active cases being traceable to social activity, much of which occurred off campus.
In addition to these recommendations and evidence, we know that many students, faculty and staff in our community simply feel more comfortable studying, working and living in spaces where they and those around them are wearing face coverings. Mask use also mitigates the spread of flu.
SUNY’s vaccination requirement for students remains in effect
SUNY’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement for students is a state-wide policy that is in effect at all SUNY campuses. All New Paltz students are subject to this requirement, including new students who will join our community in spring 2022.
All students must either show proof of vaccination via the COVID-19 Profile at my.newpaltz.edu, or be approved for a medical or religious exemption. An additional exemption is available for students who are taking a fully online course schedule and who sign an attestation that they have no campus presence.
In fall 2021, SUNY New Paltz students achieved 100% compliance with this policy in early October.
Boosters are safe, effective and widely available, and all students, faculty and staff should make a plan to get one
Update, Dec. 31: SUNY and New York State have issued guidance requiring students to get booster shots to remain in compliance with existing vaccine mandates. Getting boosted and uploading your info now is the best way to retain “fully vaccinated” status that is required for all SUNY and CUNY students in spring 2022.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for all adults 16 and older. All members of our campus community are strongly encouraged to get their booster as soon as they are eligible.
Per the CDC, people who initially got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine should get their booster at least six months after completing their first vaccination series. Those who initially got a Johnson & Johnson vaccine can get a booster after two months. The CDC says you may choose what vaccine to get as your booster shot; you can stay with the same variety or mix and match.
The Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) has added a new feature to the COVID-19 Profile at my.newpaltz.edu that allows students and employees to upload information about their COVID-19 booster shots. Please click here for more details and instructions about that system.
On-campus COVID-19 testing will continue with periodic testing for the vaccinated and regular weekly testing for the unvaccinated
The College plans to conduct five-days-per-week on-campus testing in spring 2022 as we did in fall 2021. Monday – Friday testing will resume on Jan. 24, 2022, via our ongoing partnership with ENZO Labs.
Any student or employee who is not vaccinated must test every week they are on campus.
We will also conduct periodic testing of fully vaccinated people at the same rate (20% weekly) as we are testing now. This means that vaccinated students and employees should plan to test roughly every five weeks.
The College will soon publish a spring testing schedule for students and employees to let them know when they should test. Please keep an eye out for that information and consider scheduling your appointments in advance to manage this task and ensure compliance.
All policies listed here are subject to change; we will provide confirmation and additional details in January
Again, please keep in mind that the information shared in this message is our anticipated approach for spring 2022. It is pending, and additional revisions may be necessary if the course of the pandemic in our area shifts.
Please watch for messaging in January that will confirm our spring guidance. Until then, we wish everyone a happy and restful winter break.