[Important Information for Employees] Fall 2021 Restart and Guidance

[Office of the President]

Dear Campus Community,

Today we posted the college's *Fall 2021 Restart Plan and Guidance*
<https://www.plattsburgh.edu/covid-19/index.html>, the framework that will
govern our return to campus and start of classes beginning next month.

The restart plan was developed by working groups of campus leaders. It has
been reviewed by SUNY, the Clinton County Health Department and various
stakeholders across campus. Its overarching purpose is to ensure we operate
with a clear focus on the health and safety of each of us and the wider
Plattsburgh community. This has been my priority since the onset of the
pandemic in March 2020.

Much has changed over the summer due to the evolving nature of COVID and
the growing prevalence of variants of concern. We are planning accordingly
and putting requirements into place that follow the best direction
available, understanding some aspects may change as we proceed this fall.

Though I encourage you to read the plan online, I want to point out three
key elements:

   - *Vaccine requirements. *Vaccinations are required for students
   participating in certain portions of campus life due to the heightened
   health and safety considerations in these areas. This includes those living
   in on-campus housing and those participating in collegiate, club, and
   intramural sports. Students are afforded exemptions for both medical and
   religious purposes, as well as temporary exemptions while completing the
   full vaccination process. These are detailed in the restart plan. The
   requirement that all SUNY Plattsburgh students who access any campus
   facilities in person be fully vaccinated will take full effect when at
   least one COVID-19 vaccination receives full FDA approval, per New York
   State guidance. Prior to approval, students are strongly encouraged to be
   fully vaccinated for the health and safety of themselves and their
   communities. The benefits of vaccination and more are detailed online at
   *www.suny.edu/knowyourvax/* <http://www.suny.edu/knowyourvax/>.

   - *Health Screening and Testing. *Although mandatory daily health
   screenings are no longer required for vaccinated individuals, all of us are
   reminded to check our health before entering campus buildings. Daily
   screening will continue for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated
   individuals through signage posted at the entrance of all campus buildings
   instructing individuals to not enter if they answer “yes” to any of the
   questions. Mandatory weekly surveillance pool testing will also continue
   for unvaccinated / partially vaccinated employees and students.

   - *Indoor masking. *Due to the increased prevalence of the new variants
   and recommendations in the most recent CDC guidance, as the semester begins
   the campus will return to requiring face coverings indoors. This will
   require everyone on campus to wear a mask while indoors regardless of
   vaccination status. This will be effective beginning Monday, Aug. 23 as
   campus density and semester operations gear up. It will remain in place
   through at least the first two weeks of classes (through Sunday, Sept. 12
   for fully vaccinated individuals). During this time, the mask mandate will
   be evaluated based on the campus’ vaccination status, positivity rate and
   other factors. The status will be communicated to campus.
Unvaccinated individuals
   will continue to be required to wear masks.

As we have done, we will continue to regularly evaluate health and safety
requirements, follow state and local Health Department directions and keep
your well being at the center of our work.

Alexander Enyedi
President
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