COVID-19

Welcome to Summer 2021 and full on-site campus operations! 

As we begin the return to being fully open and all staff returning to campus, we wanted to take a moment to provide the college community with some updates on the latest information and guidance relating to COVID-19, as well as provide some reminders of college policies and expectations. We also want you to know that we are taking your concerns and the well-being of our community seriously as we continue to work through these challenging times.

 

Check In Reminders 

For those of you who have not been on-campus lately, please remember our current check-in process. 

All staff should complete the COVID-19 survey  located on the SUNY Ulster portal before arriving on campus. Once you arrive, please proceed to the Hasbrouck Hall lobby or the lobby of the Kingston Center of SUNY Ulster to self-check your temperature, and swipe your card at the entry station. Please remember to take a wristband and then continue on to work.

Moving forward, there are some changes coming as well that are based on the latest guidance we have received. For those staff members providing proof of vaccination to Health Services, weekly COVID-19 testing will no longer be required. 

Until further notice, all employees, students, and visitors must continue to wear face masks and adhere to social distancing guidelines while on either campus of SUNY Ulster, regardless of vaccination status.   This means all staff members must continue to wear masks while in common spaces and not alone in their offices or while eating. 

 

Safety Update 

First and foremost, a reminder of what we are doing on campus to keep everyone safe. Housekeeping is regularly cleaning “high-touch” surfaces and performing enhanced cleaning in all areas. We have adjusted our HVAC systems to maximize fresh air flow into our buildings as well as increased maintenance of our air filtration systems. We continue to monitor and adapt to the latest guidance from the CDC and NYS Department of Health as well as SUNY System administration. Finally, we continue to be supportive of the State and Federal governments’ COVID-19 containment and vaccination efforts by continuing to allow for Federal Emergency Sick leave and time off to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. 

 

Board of Trustee Policy Reminders 

As many things have changed over the past year, many things remain the same, and as we return to full operations, it's important to remember to follow College policies and procedures. Some pertinent, but certainly not limited to, ones as we come back include: 

• The Computer and Network Security and Acceptable Use Policy (BOT 3.11.5)
• Animals on Campus (3.25)
• No smoking on college property (BOT 3.8) 
• Our policies on alcohol and drugs on-site (BOT 3.9 & BOT 3.15) 
• Adhering to policies relating to staff bringing their children to campus, (BOT 3.17)
• Workplace violence prevention and reporting (BOT 3.18)

You might want to revisit our frequently asked questions as they have been updated. As we have throughout, we will continue to update the community through these channels. 

Finally, thank you for all that you do and for your dedication to our students. It has been a difficult and trying time for everyone in different ways, but we continue to persevere because of your hard work and dedication.  

Updated COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions. 

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Spring 2021

SUNY Ulster’s comprehensive reentry plan encompassing the needs of all members of our community can be accessed here.  This plan was approved and certified by SUNY and is subject to change in the event of  new information, guidance, and/or direction from the State.

All on-site employees, students and visitors shall wear a face covering when social distancing cannot be consistently maintained and whenever walking throughout College facilities. PPE devices, including disposable face masks will be provided, at no cost, at all health services check in points.  

Hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting protocols provided by the CDC cleaning guidelines are maintained throughout our facilities.

On-site staff operations will remain limited to ensure social distancing and to maintain a reduced campus density. Each department has created a departmental safety and staffing plan, these plans outline new departmental procedures and on-site staffing levels. Each department will have limited face-to-face services available by appointment.  As this plan is subject to change due to new information, guidance, and/or direction from the State and County, staffwill prepare for a return to remote operations on a daily basis.

There is a process available for faculty, staff, and students who may have health issues or concerns related to COVID-19 to request ADA accommodations.

• Faculty and staff who have health issues that result in a higher risk factor related to COVID-19 should file appropriate documentation for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Employees  should work with the Human Resources Department and the Affirmative Action Officer (Jamie Capuano, Vice President for Administrative Services capuanoj@sunyulster.edu)  to complete appropriate ADA paperwork and make an appropriate accommodation plan. 

Non-ADA Related Flexibility 

A majority of course work will be delivered through remote or distance learning platforms.  On-site instruction will be limited to selective labs and clinical coursework.  Faculty who reside with, or are the primary caregiver to individuals who are at higher risk for COVID-19, should work with their Department Chair, the Vice President of Academic Affairs. and the Human Resources Department to develop remote work plans that meet the needs of students.   

Each department has developed an operational safety and staffing plan.  These plans include a mandatory reduced density for each department with rotating on-site operations as needed to complete core departmental functions.  If a staff member lives with, or is a primary caregiver to an individual who is at a higher risk for COVID-19, the staff member should work with their Supervisor and the Human Resources Department to develop a remote work plan that meets the needs of the department while taking consideration of the staff member’s needs.   

Students who reside with, or are primary caregivers to individuals at a higher risk for COVID-19, and who are scheduled for face to face lab or clinical components should work with their faculty member and the Affirmative Action Officer (Jamie Capuano, Vice President for Administrative Services capuanoj@sunyulster.edu) to determine appropriate accommodations to such requirements. 

 

SUNY Ulster Testing Resources:

SUNY Ulster is proud to announce that beginning the week of October 19,  all on-site Management Confidential, OPAP and CSEA Employees will be participating in pool COVID-19 testing.  Here is a link to access SUNY Ulster’s approved Fall 2020 Testing Plan.

The following MANAGEMENT CONFIDENTIAL POOLED TESTING COMMUNICATIONwas shared on October 18, 2020.  Here is the link to access the Management Confidential testingcalendar. The following CSEA POOLED TESTING COMMUNICATION was shared on October 19, 2020.  Here is a link to access the CSEA testing calendar.  The following OPAP POOLED TESTING COMMUNICATION was shared on October 21, 2020.  Here is a link to access the OPAP testing calendar.

For purposes of testing, "on-site" means employees who report to work on the Stone Ridge or Kingston Center campus on a regular basis.

This testing is being conducted in partnership with SUNY Upstate Medical.  Pool testing determines if the combined sample of a group is positive or negative for COVID-19.

Pool testing is an FDA-approved technique in which up to twelve saliva samples are collected and combined into one specimen, or “pool.” This model of testing allows more individuals to be tested at one time and provides a quicker turnaround of testing results. On-site testing ensures earlier detection of positive cases and reduces the risk of community spread. 

• Negative Pool Results: If a pooled sample tests negative, then all individuals within that pool are presumed negative.
• Positive Pool Results: If a pool test comes back positive, SUNY Upstate will conduct a second individual test, known as a reflex test, using the initial oral swab, to determine which individual(s) within the pool has COVID-19.  
• Positive pool results will be immediately run for a diagnostic test. Individual diagnostic results will be available in 24 hours. 
• Employees identified in a positive pool will be required to self-isolate while awaiting individual results and will not be allowed to access campus until individual results are determined.