COVID-19 Communications Archives

Thank you for all of your continued efforts daily to support our students and community in learning and College operations remotely.

Update on Ulster County COVID-19 cases: 
Currently, Ulster County has 1,234 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 219 recovered cases.  A third testing location has opened in the City of Kingston, 27 Grand Street. This is in addition to the two mobile testing locations in Town of Ulster and Ellenville.

As of today, April 25, 2020, we are awaiting the release of Governor Cuomo’s latest Executive Order, allowing pharmacists to conduct diagnostic testing for COVID-19.  The expanded criteria will now allow all first responders, health care workers and essential employees to be tested for COVID-19 even if they aren't symptomatic. As the state will continue to expand testing criteria as testing capacity increases, we will see if this has an impact on the SUNY Ulster community and any necessary steps essential personnel at SUNY Ulster need to take based on this order.

REMINDER: STONE RIDGE CAMPUS & KINGSTON CENTER OF SUNY ULSTER
As per Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders 202.16 and 202.17, SUNY Ulster will be providing face masks for all essential employees present on site at the Stone Ridge Campus or at the KCSU upon check-in daily.  Essential employees shall wear face masks and shall be required to cover their nose and mouth when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social distance.

Students will also be issued face masks upon check-in daily and shall be required to cover their nose and mouth when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social distance.

SUNY Ulster is continuing the check-in process for all essential employees (staff identified by their Supervisor) and students who are reporting to campus (to use computers in Hasbrouck Hall or KCSU to complete a course-related assignment, for a pre-arranged time to pick up items from the Pantry at SUNY Ulster, or for a pre-arranged appointment with Disability Services staff). Everyone coming to campus must upon arrival report to Public Safety, located in Hasbrouck 133 or the lobby of KCSU, to sign in and have their temperature taken.  Anyone with a temperature in excess of 100 F will be asked to leave campus and check with their local physician. Prior to departure, everyone must check-out with Public Safety so that Housekeeping may be dispatched to sanitize the previously occupied areas.

We have asked all supervisors to continue the reduction of essential personnel for essential functions only and reduce the number of trips to campus.

All public access is restricted and is not allowed at this time.

Please let us know of any questions and concerns that you may have, and we will address them.  Contact Jenn Zell at zellj@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5049.
Dr. Alan P. Roberts President

Thank you for all of your continued efforts daily to support our students and community in learning and College operations remotely.

Update on Ulster County COVID-19 cases: 

Currently, Ulster County has 845 confirmed cases of COVID-19.  

NYS PAUSE: 

As of April 16, Governor Cuomo has extended NYS PAUSE.  Schools and nonessential businesses will stay closed through May 15th.

This also includes the SUNY Ulster Children’s Center Operations.

Those in need of care during the closure should contact the Child Care Resource and Referral Office at (845) 331-7080. 

SUNY Issued Laptops & Chromebooks:

SUNY Ulster is awaiting our technology through SUNYs loaner program (laptops and Chromebooks) to share with students in need who are currently completing their spring semester coursework online amid the COVID-19 health crisis. 

In the interim, we have served students needing access to technology with College issued Chromebooks.

Under SUNY guidelines, first priority for the Chromebooks we have is EOP, and then Pell-eligible students. A team under the direction of Assistant Dean of Students Matt Brennie, assisted by TRIO Director Todd Zeff, EOP Coordinator Austin Singleton, Coordinator of Campus Life Meg Sheeley and Student Success Counselor Charnikia Pinesett, has developed a rubric for distribution eligibility. Students who are eligible for distribution have been contacted and can pick up the Chromebooks in Hasbrouck Hall. 

Face masks:

As per Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders 202.16 and 202.17, SUNY Ulster will be providing face masks for all essential employees present on site at the Stone Ridge Campus or at the KCSU upon check-in daily.  Essential employees shall wear face masks and shall be required to cover their nose and mouth when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social distance.

Students will also be issued face masks upon check-in daily and shall be required to cover their nose and mouth when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social distance.

SUNY Ulster is continuing the check-in process for all essential employees and students who are reporting to campus (to use computers in Hasbrouck Hall or KCSU to complete a course-related assignment, for a pre-arranged time to pick up items from the Pantry at SUNY Ulster, or for a pre-arranged appointment with Disability Services staff):

Everyone coming to campus must upon arrival report to Public Safety, located in Hasbrouck 133 or the lobby of KCSU, to sign in and have their temperature taken.  Anyone with a temperature in excess of 100 F will be asked to leave campus and check with their local physician. Prior to departure, everyone must check-out with Public Safety so that Housekeeping may be dispatched to sanitize the previously occupied areas.

REMINDER:

STONE RIDGE CAMPUS & KINGSTON CENTER OF SUNY ULSTER

Essential Personnel (staff identified by their Supervisor) and SUNY Ulster students (using computers in Hasbrouck Hall or KCSU to complete a course-related assignment, for a pre-arranged time to pick up items from the Pantry at SUNY Ulster, or for a pre-arranged appointment with Disability Services staff) are the only individuals allowed on the Stone Ridge Campus or at the KCSU.  

We have asked all supervisors to continue the reduction of essential personnel for essential functions only and reduce the number of trips to campus.

All public access is restricted and is not allowed at this time.

Here are additional resources from the Centers for Disease Control on how to wear a mask and how to make a homemade mask.

Please let us know of any questions and concerns that you may have, and we will address them.  Contact Jenn Zell at zellj@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5049.

Dr. Alan P. Roberts

President

RESOURCES:

EXEC ORDER - 202.16

For all essential businesses or entities, any employees who are present in the workplace shall be provided and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees. This provision may be enforced by local governments or local law enforcement as if it were an order pursuant to section 12 or 12-b of the Public Health Law.  This requirement shall be effective Wednesday, April 15 at 8 p.m. 

EXEC ORDER - 202.17

Effective at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020 any individual who is over age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering shall be required to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social distance.  

FROM SUNY:

The DOH guidance elaborates on the EO:

Essential businesses, as well as state and local government agencies and authorities, must procure, fashion, or otherwise obtain face coverings and provide such coverings to employees who directly interact with the public during the course of their work at no-cost to the employee.

and

Direct interaction with the public shall be determined by the employer, but, at a minimum, shall include any employee who is routinely within close contact (i.e. six feet or less) with members of the public, including but not limited to customers or clients.

Students are considered members of the public for this guidance.  However, as most campuses have been working to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, the actual number of people who fall under this rule may be fewer than our initial concerns.

Thank you for all of your continued efforts daily to support our students and community in learning and College operations remotely.

Update on Ulster County COVID-19 cases: 

Currently, Ulster County has 650 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

CHANGE TO KINGSTON CENTER OF SUNY ULSTER (KCSU) & STONE RIDGE CAMPUS COMPUTER LAB HOURS FOR APRIL & MAY 2020:

KCSU

Effective Monday, April 13, the hours for limited capacity computer access at the KCSU are revised as follows: (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday).

Effective Monday, May 4 through the end of final exams, Thursday, May 14, the hours for limited capacity computer access at the KCSU are revised as follows (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday).

STONE RIDGE CAMPUS

Effective Monday, April 13, the hours for the computer lab on the second floor of Hasbrouck Hall on the Stone Ridge Campus continue as follows: (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday).

Effective Monday, May 11 through Thursday, May 14, the hours for the computer lab on the second floor of Hasbrouck Hall on the Stone Ridge Campus are revised as follows: (8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday - Friday).

SUNY ULSTER CHILDREN’S CENTER OPERATIONS:

The Children’s Center will remain closed until 04/29/2020 based on the Executive Order by Governor Cuomo and the College’s observance of this order.

Those in need of care during the closure should contact the Child Care Resource and Referral Office at (845) 331-7080. The office’s website is https://www.familyofwoodstockinc.org/ccc/

REMINDER:

STONE RIDGE CAMPUS & KINGSTON CENTER OF SUNY ULSTER

Essential Personnel (staff identified by their Supervisor) and SUNY Ulster students (using computers in Hasbrouck Hall or KCSU to complete a course-related assignment, for a pre-arranged time to pick up items from the Pantry at SUNY Ulster, or for a pre-arranged appointment with Disability Services staff) are the only individuals allowed on the Stone Ridge Campus or at the KCSU.  

We have asked all supervisors to continue the reduction of essential personnel for essential functions only and reduce the number of trips to campus.

All public access is restricted and is not allowed at this time.

A check-in process exists for all essential employees and students who are reporting to campus for the above outlined reasons. 

Given the recent updated national and New York State guidance on face mask recommendations, we are asking everyone to take the recommended precautions and please use a face mask, or non-medical cloth face covering when checking in to Public Safety/Health Services and while interacting with any other essential employees via the 6ft. social distancing measures currently being observed.

Please let us know of any questions and concerns that you may have, and we will address them.  Contact Jenn Zell at zellj@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5049.

Dr. Alan P. Roberts

President

Update on Ulster County COVID-19 cases: 

Currently, Ulster County has 318 confirmed cases of COVID-19.  As we’ve discussed, this number will continue to rise as the County, and the medical community conducts more testing at the Town of Ulster and Ellenville testing locations.

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Additional Wellness Resources:

Kristin A. Kiely, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Francis Marion University has created the following document,  A Pause For Your Wellness Spring 2020, outlining wellness resources for students, faculty and staff.  Resources range from virtual tours of museums, national parks and zoos, exercise apps, links to guided meditation and stress relief apps, coloring pages to print, other ideas and national mental health resources.

INSIDER.com also featured an article on March 17, 2020, 22 ways to leave home without actually leaving the couch, from virtual zoo exhibits to museum gallery tours

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CamScan

As the College continues work in creating and implementing fillable forms, we realize that you still may have hard-copy documents that you need to send to colleagues and/or students. One app that can be helpful in scanning and sending PDF documents remotely is CamScan. 

The app is free and easy to use. The CamScan app is available for your Android phone via the Google play store or if you have an iPhone.

We hope that this resource is helpful for you as we continue our remote operations. 

Thank you to Kathleen Hasbrouck, Financial Aid Counselor and VP Kevin Stoner for highlighting this resource for our community.

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ZOOM

With the increase in the use of online meeting tools has come the increase of these tools being used to disrupt meetings and classes.  You may have heard about "Zoom-bombing" in the media. This is the disruptive practice of uninvited participants in a Zoom meeting harassing the group by bombarding the meeting with racist or sexually explicit images or statements. 

There are some simple but effective steps that you can take when setting up and running Zoom meetings that help ensure you don't fall victim to this harassment:

• Require a password for participants to enter a meeting

  • This is not the default option but can be changed per meeting.

• Don't share the meeting connection information publicly

  • Send links to people through email, or post the link in a place that requires people to authenticate first, such as in Blackboard.

• Control who can share their screen.

  • By default, only the host can share their screen.

  • Participants can be allowed to share as and when the host decides.

• Make use of the Waiting Room Feature

  • You can set up a waiting room that allows you to only admit participants when you are ready

  • You can chat with people in your waiting room

  • This feature will work well if you are posting an office hour and only want to meet with one student at a time.

• Participants can not join the meeting until you, as the host, have joined.

  • This is the default behavior, and it is not recommended to change it.

For more information and detailed instructions on how to use the features noted above as well as some others, please access Zoom's article: How to Keep Uninvited Guests Out of Your Zoom Event

Zoom has also put together this article: Best Practices for Securing Your Virtual Classroom

Thank you to Jon Rhea, OIT/Chief Information Officer for sharing this resource with us.

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CHANGE TO STONE RIDGE CAMPUS COMPUTER LAB HOURS:

Effective Monday, April 6, the hours for the computer lab on the second floor of Hasbrouck Hall on the Stone Ridge Campus are revised as follows: (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday).

Limited-capacity computer access is available at KCSU  (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday). 

Families First Coronavirus Relief Act

The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act  (FFCRA) provides additional leave time and protections for employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus public health emergency.  

Access the United States Department of Labor’s  Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employee Rights 

This resource is also located on the Portal (Employee Tab/Human Resources Channel).

If you’ve received notice from the Department of Health regarding a mandatory, or precautionary quarantine or have questions about the FFCRA, please reach out to Ken Juras, Dean for Administration - Operations and Human Resource Management at 687-5108 or jurask@sunyulster.edu. 

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REMINDER:

STONE RIDGE CAMPUS & KINGSTON CENTER OF SUNY ULSTER

Essential Personnel (staff identified by their Supervisor) and SUNY Ulster students using computers in Hasbrouck Hall or KCSU, or meeting with Disability Services staff are the only  individuals allowed on the Stone Ridge Campus or at KCSU. All public access is restricted and is not allowed at this time.

A check-in process exists for all essential employees and students who are reporting to campus. Students may come to campus only to use a computer to complete a course-related assignment or for a pre-arranged appointment with  Disability Services. 

Please let us know of any questions and concerns that you may have, and we will address them.  Contact Jenn Zell at zellj@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5049.

Dr. Alan P. Roberts

President

 

Thank you for all of your continued efforts to shift our learning and College community to a remote, distance learning platform, all while maintaining operations.  

Update on Ulster County COVID-19 cases: 

Currently, Ulster County has 215 confirmed cases of COVID-19  As we’ve discussed, this number will continue to rise as the County, and the medical community conducts more testing.  Recently, the County opened a new testing location in Ellenville, at the Ellenville Regional Hospital. 

On-Campus Updates:  In light of the Governor’s Pause Directive, we’ve scaled back operations even further in recent weeks. Staff in the Central Services Department have reduced their hours of operations as outlined below. 

• Purchasing: All purchasing is being done remotely, and all quotes must be sent electronically to purchasing@sunyulster.edu

• Shipping and Receiving: Jeff Nerone will be on site from 9:00-3:30pm for shipping and receiving neronej@sunyulster.edu.   

• Mail Room:  Betty Zeeb will be on-site on Tuesdays and Thursdays for mail sorting.  Jeff will continue to pick up mail from the post office Monday-Friday. However, in coordination with area Vice Presidents we’ve developed a schedule for mail delivery to the various offices.  If you have any urgent items that need to be mailed/picked up, please reach out to Vice President Capuano for assistance. Please review this schedule for mail pickup/drop off days. 

  • Handle mail with gloves;

  • Wash hands after handling mail;

  • Spray sanitizer on 

  • Wait for 24 hours (if possible) before opening/handling cardboard boxes

• Safe Mail Handling:  Central Services is following safe mail handling guidelines and is sanitizing mail as it is sorted.  Please follow the below safe mail handling guidelines:

• Paychecks: Paychecks will no longer be picked up on campus.  All paper checks will be mailed starting with this 04/03/20 payroll.  

Families First Coronavirus Relief Act:   The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA) provides additional leave time and protections for employees who have been impacted by the Coronavirus public health emergency.  If you’ve received notice from the Department of Health regarding a mandatory, or precautionary quarantine or have questions about the FFCRA, please reach out to Ken Juras, Dean for Administration - Operations and Human Resource Management at 687-5108 or jurask@sunyulster.edu. 

SUNY Funded Laptop Loaner Program:  SUNY Administration has announced the creation of a Laptop Loaner Program.  Under this program, SUNY Ulster is slated to receive up to 250 Chromebooks, 25 Dell Laptops and 25 Macs. These computers must be deployed to students through the newly created laptop loaner program with priority given to students who are eligible for Pell and EOP.  

Submission of Documents: As we continue to shift to remote working environments, document submissions and approvals must be handled electronically.  We are working on developing several fillable forms to ease the burden of the submission process. All documents can be scanned as an attachment with an email attesting to approval from area supervisors.  Once received, VP Capuano can sign documents electronically and process for final submission/approval. Please reach out to VP Capuano directly with any questions regarding specific forms or if you’ve run into problems.  

Capital Construction Projects: In light of the Governor’s Pause directive, the College has also delayed several of our ongoing capital construction projects.  Based on guidance from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), our Gym Wall project, roof replacement project and window replacement projects have been put on hold. SUNY System Administration has determined that our waterline project, as a utility-related project, is allowed and continues to proceed at this time. We continue to track the Governor’s Executive Orders and will follow up with SUNY and DASNY as guidance changes. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Vice President Stoner has been in touch with department chairs and faculty in certain discipline areas to ask for any possible protective devices that are located on campus.  Vice President Capuano has been in touch with SUNY Ulster's Public Safety/Health Services team to develop a system to identify and track supplies and possible PPE resources that can be donated to the Ulster County Emergency Operations Center for deployment to area hospitals/drive through testing locations.  

If you receive a solicitation for help or donations, please refer that person to Ken Juras, Dean for Administration - Operations and Human Resources Management  (jurask@sunyulster.edu) and send Ken an email copy of the email solicitation. 

FALL 2020 Registration

Registration for returning students for Fall 2020 courses will commence on April 1.  Faculty will be contacting current students regarding an advisement appointment and will be using email, Google Meet, Zoom, the telephone, or a combination. After a remote advisement appointment is conducted, a PIN number will be issued to students so they can proceed with registration online. 

Graduation & Commencement Ceremony 

If students ask about graduation, SUNY Ulster diplomas and certificates will be distributed directly to individual students once all course requirements are completed for Spring 2020, and the Registrar's Office clears each candidate for degree conferral.

As far as a celebratory ceremony to commemorate our students accomplishments, we have not yet made a final determination as to the status of our May 16, 2020, Commencement Ceremony.  We will be in touch in the next few weeks with information as we keep everyone’s health and safety as a top concern and evaluate this important ceremony to celebrate the culmination of our students academic work and accomplishments at SUNY Ulster.  

REMINDER:

STONE RIDGE CAMPUS & KINGSTON CENTER OF SUNY ULSTER

Essential Personnel (staff identified by their Supervisor) and SUNY Ulster students using computers in Hasbrouck Hall or KCSU, or meeting with Disability Services staff are the only  individuals allowed on the Stone Ridge Campus or at KCSU. All public access is restricted and is not allowed at this time.

A check-in process exists for all essential employees and students who are reporting to campus. Students may come to campus only to use a computer to complete a course-related assignment or for a pre-arranged appointment with  Disability Services.

SUNY Senior Vice Chancellor of Community Colleges, Johanna Duncan Poitier shared the following YouTube video created by a faculty member at SUNY Purchase as a resource to make us all smile: I Will Survive, Coronavirus version for teachers going online

Any concerns and questions can be addressed to zellj@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5049.

Dr. Alan P. Roberts

President

Thank you to every member of our SUNY Ulster community for all you are doing to serve our students and to keep our SUNY Ulster community safe.
 
Your perseverance and adaptability are appreciated as we face the change we are currently immersed in.  We are learning and growing as educators and professionals alongside our students.
 
Continued health and safety to you and your families,
Dr. Al

COVID-19 - Update - March 28, 2020

Thank you for all of your efforts to shift our learning and College community to a remote, distance learning platform, all while maintaining operations. Through your hard work and determination, we've revised our internal processes and procedures to convert to our new normal with fillable forms and electronic submission processes. 
 
Update on Ulster County COVID-19 cases: 
Ulster County has 133 confirmed cases of COVID-19. We expect these numbers to rise as the County has opened a new remote testing site in the Town of Ulster and will open a new site in Ellenville on Monday. 
 
As you know, we are continuing restricted access to the SUNY Ulster campuses to only allow essential personnel (staff identified by their supervisor), and students who require access to the computers in Hasbrouck Hall (SRC) or KCSU or pre-scheduled appointments with Disability Services.

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SUNY Ulster students and Essential Personnel are the only individuals allowed on the Stone Ridge Campus  or at KCSU. All public access is restricted and is not allowed at this time.

We've implemented a check-in process for all essential employees and students who are reporting to campus that require the use of a computer and do not have any other means of accessing a computer or internet for a school-related assignment.   

Upon arrival, all essential employees and students must report to Public Safety located in Hasbrouck 133 or the lobby of KCSU to sign in and have their temperature taken.  Anyone with a temperature in excess of 100 F will be asked to leave campus and check with their local physician. Prior to departure, please check-out with Public Safety so that Housekeeping may be dispatched to sanitize the previously occupied areas.

SUNY Ulster welcomes you back as we rally together as an educational community to resume our Spring 2020 semester.

We are prepared for you to continue learning, and share your concern for the health and safety of our entire community.

Our faculty and staff are here for you as you continue  your SUNY Ulster education this semester remotely.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank our entire SUNY Ulster community of students, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees and Foundation Board of Directors for all of their contributions as we respond to COVID-19.

Please be aware of a linked message from SUNY Chancellor, Dr. Kristina Johnson [link is here] affirming that we are all in this together and that we will make it through as a SUNY family.

Dr. Alan P. Roberts

President

SUNY Ulster Operations Update March 19, 2020  - STUDENTS

As you prepare to return to your studies on March 23, here is an update on important dates, services and delivery options.  

 Please see the updated Important Dates for the Spring 2020 semester for guidance regarding events in the Academic Calendar.

The Stone Ridge Campus (SRC) and Kingston Center (KCSU) are open, though because of social distancing guidelines, you may come to the Stone Ridge campus and Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster only for a specific purpose (school-related assignments, use of a computer, or for pre-scheduled appointments). 

SUNY Ulster students and Essential Personnel are the only individuals allowed on the Stone Ridge Campus  or at KCSU. All public access is restricted at this time.

As we have said, all classes will be delivered remotely:

• If you are currently enrolled in an online class, you will receive instructions from your instructor. Do not assume your class has stopped or that it will not resume before March 23. Stay engaged. Follow the syllabus or course outline for the course.

• Express and seven-week classes will begin on March 23.

• Remote delivery means that your instructor might use email, Blackboard, Google tools or a combination to conduct class and communicate with you. Your instructor might also choose to conduct class synchronously, meaning everyone in your class is attending remotely at the same time. For this, we will use a very easy-to-use tool called Google Meet. You can download the app and use Meet on your cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. 

• Police Basic Training will continue to meet while observing social distancing guidelines.  Clinicals, education field placements and internships are taking place at the discretion of the host.  Students, both those enrolled in credit-bearing courses and those in Continuing Education courses, will receive directions from your instructor(s).  

• SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson has mandated that students who do not wish to come on campus must be afforded other opportunities to meet course outcomes.  Faculty are designing alternative means for you to demonstrate competency other than an on-campus experience. Please contact your instructor directly with any concerns.

• Specific questions should be directed to your instructor,  who will raise them with the department chairperson and, if necessary, the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The Stone Ridge Campus (SRC) and Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster (KCSU) locations remain open as do College offices via remote operations:

Computer Use - SRC & KCSU

The Computer labs/rooms on the second floor of Hasbrouck Hall on the Stone Ridge Campus will be open for student use (8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) to conduct classwork, do homework or conduct research .  The Mac Labs will not be available for student access at this time.  A limited number of Mac computers have been placed in Hasbrouck Hall for student use. 

Limited-capacity computer access is available at KCSU  (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday). 

Though you might see a number of computer workstations, the College has removed keyboards from computer spaces in order to implement social distancing practices.   Social distancing protocols will be strictly enforced for everyone’s safety.

STONE RIDGE CAMPUS OFFICES:

Campus offices, including those of the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, TRIO, Library, EOP,  Mental Health, Enrollment and Success Center, Disabilities Services, and CAPS (tutoring) are functioning by remote operation. This means there might not be anyone in the physical offices. Employees are conducting business by phone, email  and videoconferencing. Email or telephone these offices, and your call or email will be returned promptly. Do not come to campus to access these services. The exception is accomodations proctoring, and this must be pre-arranged with Disability Services at disability_services@ sunyulster.edu

If you need assistance, campus offices may be reached through the following emails:

Financial Aid - financialaid@sunyulster.edu

Payroll - payroll@sunyulster.edu

Human Resources - humanresources@sunyulster.edu

Student Accounts - studentaccounts@sunyulster.edu

Registrar - reginfo@sunyulster.edu

Tutoring -CAPS@sunyulster.edu

Disability Services - disability_services@ sunyulster.edu

Mental Health - farinal@sunyulster.edu

Continuing and Professional Education: cereg@sunyulster.edu

Graduation

SUNY Ulster has not yet made a final determination as to the status of our scheduled May 16, 2020, Commencement Ceremony.  We will be in touch in the next few weeks with information, as we keep everyone’s health and safety as top concerns and evaluate this important ceremony to celebrate the culmination of your academic work and accomplishments at SUNY Ulster.  

Tutoring

SUNY Ulster's Center for Academic Planning and Support (CAPS) is providing  tutoring services through the use of remote technology. Please reach out to CAPS@sunyulster.edu to schedule remote tutoring sessions. 

Here are additional online resources for tutoring:

StudentLingo - for Study skills 

Khan Academy

Disability Services/Testing Center   

If your instructor assigns an exercise or a test, you can come to Hasbrouck Hall on the Stone Ridge Campus for pre-scheduled appointments.  Please email testingcenter@sunyulster.edu, or levines@sunyulster.edu, at least 48 hours prior to the event to schedule an appointment to come to the testing center. The testing center will make you aware of a time to come to campus to complete the exercise or test.

Because of social distancing rules, the number of spaces in the center is limited, so the center might not be able to accommodate your first choice for a date and time.

If you have questions or concerns, please email Director of Disability Services Sonia Levine (levines@sunyulster.edu).

On-site testing and final exams will be evaluated as this fluid situation progresses.

Communications

All SUNY Ulster will be communicating through your SUNY Ulster email.  Please check this email regularly and let us know if you have any technical problems accessing this email. 

Food Services

Lessings will continue to offer food service. Limited access to takeout prepackaged food is available. Seating areas and hallway gathering areas are not available at this time.

Bookstore

The physical bookstore in Vanderlyn Hall will be closed as of Monday, March 23, 2020.  The bookstore has expanded online services that can be accessed here. 

Other Physical Facility Closures

• Stone Ridge Campus
• Senate Gym
• Library
• Hardenbergh Hall 
• Clinton Hall
• Student Life Center - food can be picked up for takeout only. 

Limited Access: Access is limited to specific functions in this building, as outlined below.  All students must enter through the Public Safety entrance on the first floor of Hasbrouck Hall. Because only SUNY Ulster students may use our facilities, please bring your student ID with you.

Hasbrouck Hall

• Hasbrouck Second Floor - Computer spaces 

• Hasbrouck - Testing Center for accommodations

Kingston Center:  Access at the Kingston Center will be limited to the computer labs from 8:30 a.m. to  5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. 

Transportation

UCAT has scaled back public transportation. Please check all bus schedules for updated schedule information.  Please review this information here.

Ulster County Executive Ryan’s Project Resilience

Ulster County has announced Project Resilience, a community fund and local food distribution effort to support residents impacted by COVID-19. The County has secured over $2 million in funding in 24 hours, and will utilize UCAT and partner with non-profits and municipalities to deliver meals to local distribution centers. 

ULSTER COUNTY RESIDENTS:REQUEST for Food Assistance (English)

RESIDENTES DEL CONDADO DE ULSTER: Solicitud de asistencia alimentaria (Español)

The Food Pantry at SUNY Ulster

Access to the Pantry at SUNY Ulster will continue as of March 23 using  an electronic form. Information is located on the College’s website.  Stone Ridge orders will be picked up in the lobby of Hasbrouck Hall (next to to Public Safety) and KCSU orders will be picked up in the main lobby (next to Public Safety) on Thursdays beginning at 9 :30 a.m.

Lights for Learning

The Ulster Community College Foundation Inc. has relocated off-site and is working daily to support SUNY Ulster faculty, students, and staff during these challenging times.  We will do our best to review and process (as funds permit) any request for assistance and to use creative measures to obtain and deliver the assistance you need. 

Please know that our Lights for Learning Student Emergency Funding is accepting applications now.  Students should be prepared to list a faculty or staff member from SUNY ULster who can act as a reference for the application for assistance.  Students should complete the application at: https://sunyulster. academicworks.com/opportunities/792 

Other Updates

All non-instructional student activities, including clubs, performances and special events, are canceled until further notice, as well as athletic seasons.

At this time, SUNY Ulster does not have any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the SUNY Ulster College community. 

However, in the event that SUNY Ulster is notified of a positive COVID-19 test, a RAVE Alert will be issued immediately upon notification from the Department of Health or other County or State officials.  Updated information will be provided through additional RAVE Alerts and posted on the website. If you have not signed up for RAVE, please go to the Portal (Student Resources Tab/Banner Self Service Channel/Personal Information/SUNY Ulster Alert (RAVE) to sign up.

Any concerns and questions can be addressed to zellj@sunyulster.edu or (845) 687-5049.

At this time, SUNY Ulster does not have any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.

As of March 16, Ulster County announced one new positive case, bringing the total number to six confirmed cases. 

I know there are many questions regarding COVID-19 and our approach to “flattening the curve.”  Here at SUNY Ulster, we are working to reduce our density numbers and transition to working remotely. Below are some updates on efforts to flatten the curve, protocols, and resources for our community. 

Employee Notice 

If you are directed by the Department of Health to undergo a mandatory or precautionary quarantine, you must notify your supervisor. This will ensure that we can implement immediate notifications and follow our internal “quarantine/positive test” protocol.   

Non-Essential Employee Guidance in Response to COVID-19 Emergency (Governor)

SUNY Ulster has interpreted the Governor’s announcement from March 16, 2020, regarding non-essential employees as defined as follows for SUNY Ulster employees on the Stone Ridge Campus and at the KCSU:

Non-essential employees, as well as non-essential local government employees, have been directed to work remotely, as we have been directed to reduce our on site workforce by at least fifty percent (50%)(Executive Order 202.4, March 7).  We are monitoring this closely and will be in touch regarding the end date of this order.

For March 17, 18 and 19, Faculty trainings are scheduled and will continue with limited capacity and social distancing measures in HAS 219.  As this is deemed as an essential function for our continued academic continuity of operations through remote measures,only faculty who are registered for training should be on the Stone Ridge Campus.

In order to reduce the burden on our housekeeping staff, we will be closing off areas of campus that are not being utilized.  This will ensure that we can maintain cleaning protocols as outlined by the Department of Health.  

All essential employees identified via SUNY Ulster’s Essential Personnel Policy 4.14, will be notified by their supervisor of their status.

During this time period, employees will work remotely, as directed by their supervisor, while continuing to perform their normal duties to the extent practicable. Remote work plans and continuity of operations will be shared from your supervisor. Supervisors will work with employees as much as possible to allow flexible/alternate work schedules for employees who are caring for family members in their home, including children who may not be in school.  Plans will be evaluated on a weekly basis.

Student services operations will be conducted remotely with limited on site transactions for Enrollment/Admissions, Disabilities Services, Tutoring through social distancing parameters on the Stone Ridge Campus and at the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster.

Contact your supervisor with any questions.

Travel/Conferences

All SUNY Ulster sponsored travel and conferences requiring official SUNY Ulster business, is suspended until further notice.

SUNY Ulster Faculty & Staff Portal Resources

Please access the SUNY Ulster Portal/Employee Resources/Working Remotely Channel for a collection of information and resources that can be of help in working and teaching remotely. This is a dynamic collection, which will be updated as information and tools become available.

Thank you to OIT and Jonathan Rhea for their work in gathering and making these resources accessible for our community.

Athletics

SUNY Ulster Athletics has been suspended, as the NJCAA announced that seasons are over.  Student-athletes are being contacted by coaches.

Internet Access

Internet services providers are offering free access to broadband and wi-fi to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription for a limited time. 

Charter Communications (Spectrum): To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. 

Altice USA: For Optimum or Suddenlink users information can be found here.  

School District Closures 

• Additional information regarding school district closure and the provision of school meals can be found here  School meal plans. 

• Access to the Pantry at SUNY Ulster will continue starting March 23 via the electronic form and information is located on the College’s website.

• Prioritize Childcare for Health Care Workers and Medical Providers:  The County is evaluating how to provide and prioritize available childcare for health care workers and medical providers.  

Children’s Center Update

While we await guidance from the Office of Children and Family Services regarding the operations of our Children’s Center, we are offering refunds to parents who would like to keep their children home during this school district closure.  This will reduce the density of the Children’s Center and allow us to keep the center open for those who continue to need it while working together to implement social distancing practices. 

Municipal Information 

The Governor has announced that all local governments are required to reduce staffing levels.  These plans will likely impact the provision of services at the County, Town and Village level.  

Town of Marbletown and Rosendale: The Town of Marbletown and Rosendale Municipal Center Offices will be closed to public access as of March 16, 2020 until further notice.  Residents can do business via phone and email. Contact information for Marbletown departments is 845-687-7500 or https://www.marbletown.net/

Ulster County: Ulster County has taken steps to limit face to face interaction in County Offices.  Please review this information at https://ulstercountyny.gov/ coronavirus and plan ahead for any necessary County Office visits.  

Ulster Area Transit is operating on a modified schedule.  Due to a driver shortage, UCAT will be modifying their bus routes, as outlined below. 

I am appreciative of the collective efforts of our faculty and staff during this challenging time, and am grateful for all you are doing to continue service and support to SUNY Ulster students.  

Dr. Alan P. Roberts

On March 13, an announcement was made to close all Ulster County school districts for 14 days, and we understand that you may have questions and concerns.

We are in close contact with our partners and key stakeholders on this fluid situation, and County Executive Ryan is in full support of SUNY Ulster's plan as outlined by our faculty and staff leaders to date.

Thank you for your hard work, leadership, and contributions made together to collaboratively address this pandemic and its implications to our community, most importantly for your dedication to our students who are eager to continue their education.

We are appreciative of your understanding as we take measures to keep our SUNY Ulster community healthy and safe during this public health crisis and remain committed to our students and our community.

Dr. Alan P. Roberts

President

 

For Students 

COVID-19 Update - March 13, 2020  - STUDENTS 7:46 p.m.

Dear Student:

In light of the declaration of Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan declaring a State of Emergency, SUNY Ulster has taken a number of steps to ensure you are able to continue your education with as little disruption as possible.  Here are SUNY Ulster's next steps. We will keep you informed with any additional updates as soon as possible. 

The best source of information is your instructor. You will be receiving instructions from your instructors over the next several days regarding how your class will proceed for the remainder of the semester. 

The following guidelines, which are consistent with the Governor’s and Ulster County Executive’s State of Emergency declaration, SUNY guidance, Ulster County Health authorities, and guidance on Social Distancing. Social Distancingmeans maintaining at least six (6) feet of space between persons and also minimizing the number of persons on campus:

1 – The Spring Break will be extended through March 22, with instruction resuming on Monday, March 23, 2020.

• If you are currently enrolled in an online class, you will receive instructions from your instructor. Do not assume your class has stopped or that it will not resume before March 23. Stay engaged. Follow the syllabus or course outline for the course.

• Express and seven-week classes will begin on March 23.

2- The Stone Ridge Campus and Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster (KCSU) location remain open and functioning,  observing social distancing guidelines.

• Campus offices such as Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Registrar, TRIO, Library, Enrollment and Success Center, Public Safety, Disabilities Services, and CAPS (tutoring)  will remain open, but with limited staffing as most employees will be working from home. We will conduct as much business by phone and email as possible.

3 – When instruction resumes, all classes with a lecture component will be delivered remotely.

• This means that your instructor might use email, Blackboard, Google tools or a combination to conduct class and communicate with you. Your instructor might also choose to conduct class synchronously, meaning everyone in your class is attending remotely at the same time. For this, we will use a very easy-to-use tool called Google Meet. You can download the app and use Meet on your cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. 

•  If examinations or certain exercises cannot be administered remotely, you might be required to come to campus to take the test(s). Social Distancing requirements will apply in those cases.

4 – Labs, clinicals, art studios, music studios, and Police Basic Training, will continue to meet while observing Social Distancing guidelines.  Education field placements and internships will continue at the discretion of the host. If you are enrolled in an internship, you will receive instructions from your instructor.

●        In courses containing both lecture and laboratory elements, the lecture component is to be delivered remotely.

●        Because Social Distancing requires a distance of 6 feet between persons, some labs and studios might have to be divided into smaller groups. This means the day or time of your lab or studio might change. You will receive instructions from your instructor regarding when to attend.

5 – Students will have access to computer facilities on the Stone Ridge Campus and at the KCSU.

•  If you need access to a computer to conduct classwork, do homework or conduct research,  you will have access to computer facilities on the Stone Ridge Campus and at the KCSU.

• Computer access on the Stone Ridge Campus will be in the Library and in Hasbrouck 219 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Computers are available at KCSU from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday.  Social distancing measures will be followed in these locations.

6 – Specific questions should be directed to your instructor,  who will raise them with the department chairperson and, if necessary, the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

7 - Access to the Pantry at SUNY Ulster will continue via the electronic form and information will be located on the College’s website.

8 - All non-instructional student activities, including clubs and performances, are canceled until further notice. 

9 - Student-athletes in currently running sports (baseball, track & field, golf) will continue to practice following Social Distancing rules, but all competition is canceled through April 3, 2020, as announced by the NJCAA. Instructions will be sent by coaches and/or Athletic Director Matt Brennie. 

10 - Please review the following resource and letter from SUNY Chancellor Dr. Kristina Johnson.

11 - At this time, SUNY Ulster does not have any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the SUNY Ulster College community. 

However, in the event that SUNY Ulster is notified of a positive COVID-19 test, a RAVE Alert will be issued immediately upon notification from the Department of Health or other County or State officials.  Updated information will be provided through additional RAVE Alerts and posted on the website. If you have not signed up for RAVE, please go to the Portal (Student Resources Tab/Banner Self Service Channel/Personal Information/SUNY Ulster Alert (RAVE) to sign up.

Any concerns and questions can be addressed to zellj@sunyulster.edu.

Thank you for your understanding as we take measures to keep our SUNY Ulster community healthy and safe during this public health crisis.  We remain committed to your education and to keeping you informed daily, as we work with our partners and key stakeholders on this fluid situation.

Dr. Alan Roberts

SUNY Ulster, President 

SUNY Ulster’s Stone Ridge Campus (SRC) and Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster (KCSU) remain open for continuity of operations, observing social distancing measures at this time.

SUNY Ulster Spring Break is extended through March 22 for the SRC and the KCSU.  This is an effort to reduce campus density and limit potential exposure to the virus while ensuring the continuation of the academic semester.  

As of March 23, SUNY Ulster classes will resume, using in most cases varying levels of remote instruction, which will include online student engagement, virtual connectivity, email, and BlackBoard, the College’s Learning Management System.  

Specific communications will be sent separately regarding laboratory schedules, clinicals, internships, education field placements, Police Basic Training, and art and music studios.  

All SUNY Ulster Campus Life Engagement Events and Student Life Club Activities are suspended until further notice.

All SUNY Ulster Special Events and Facilities Use Rentals at the College’s Stone Ridge Campus and KCSU are suspended until further notice.

We value everyone’s contributions and efforts to date in working together collaboratively as we address this pandemic and will continue to keep our community informed daily, as we work with our partners and key stakeholders on this fluid situation.

Any concerns and questions can be addressed to zellj@sunyulster.edu.