Spring 2021 Guide

• All students, faculty and staff must begin SUNY Cortland’s online pre-arrival screen 14 days before their planned arrival on campus and follow all resulting recommendations.
• The screening requirement applies to all students who plan to be on campus for any reason, including academics, recreation, meals, activities or work – whether they live on campus or not.
• The screening tool, a series of questions related to travel history and possible COVID-19 symptoms or possible exposure, found on myRedDragon under the “Red Dragon Safe” tab.
• All students who have traveled to or from restricted states, regions or international locations as defined by New York State must follow the New York State Travel Advisory. They must attest that they have submitted the New York Traveler Health form and will follow the guidance related to mandatory testing, quarantine/isolation and the timing of their return to campus.

• All students are expected to complete a seven-day precautionary quarantine immediately before coming to campus.
• During this period, it is expected that students:
  • Will not leave their home or apartment and
  • Will strictly adhere to guidelines for social distancing, face covering and hygiene and will limit exposure of family and housemates as much as possible.

• All students will be required to submit recent negative test results or proof of positive test and completed recent isolation before coming to Cortland.
• The test must be administered no more than seven (7) days prior to the date on which the student will return to Cortland/campus.
• Students should get a valid diagnostic COVID test. This includes PCR/molecular or antigen tests administered in a medical facility or a state or county clinic. Antibody tests are not acceptable.
• Students who have tested positive within the past 90 days, and have completed the required isolation, will be exempt from the testing requirement after submitting proper documentation. Acceptable documentation includes proof of a positive test result with a clearly identified test date, or a release from isolation form/letter provided by appropriate health officials. This release may be an email sent to you after you completed the required isolation period. 
• Students will use an online portal to submit negative test results or proof of completed isolation. This portal will be available no later than a week before students are scheduled to return.

Students are expected to arrange for their pre-arrival testing. It is covered by most health insurance and is offered free at state and county testing sites throughout the state.

In rare situations where a student cannot access testing, students will be able to work directly with a representative from the university regarding an alternative testing plan. Inquiries can be directed to covidscreening@cortland.edu.

• All students who may go to campus for any reason during the spring semester must complete SUNY Cortland’s daily online screen for possible risk factors and follow all resulting recommendations every day.
• The screening requirement applies to all students who plan to be on campus for any reason, including academics, recreation, meals, activities or work – whether they live on campus or not.
• The screening tool, a series of questions related to travel history and possible COVID-19 symptoms or possible exposure, found on myRedDragon under the “Red Dragon Safe” tab.

Arrival testing

On-campus students

• Students living in university-operated residence halls will participate in pooled testing on the day they move in.
• Residential students will sign up for a date and time to return to campus via the housing tab in MyRedDragon.
• The testing appointment time will correspond with the date and time selected by the student for returning to campus.

Off-campus students

• Off-campus and commuter students who intend to go to any campus facility during the spring semester must participate in pooled testing upon their arrival in Cortland.
• Students who are already in Cortland should participate as soon as possible. Off-campus and commuter students who intend to go to any campus facility during the spring semester are required to participate in pooled testing between Jan. 25 and Jan. 31. An online sign-up process will be made available to these students no later than Monday, Jan. 18.

Ongoing surveillance testing

• Every qualifying member of the student community (off-campus, on-campus, commuter) will be identified for surveillance testing once a week.
• Students will sign up for a date and time that will serve as their recurring testing appointment every other week for the duration of the semester.
• An online sign-up process will be made available no later than Monday, Jan. 18.

Special student populations:

• Resident assistants will participate in testing upon arrival to campus.
• International residential students will work directly with Residence Life and Housing and the surveillance testing team regarding arrival plans and testing needs per current NYS COVID-19 Travel Advisory Information.
• Out-of-state residential students will work directly with Residence Life and Housing and the surveillance testing team regarding arrival plans and testing needs per current NYS COVID-19 Travel Advisory Information.
• All other approved early arrivals will work directly with Residence Life and Housing and the surveillance testing team regarding arrival plans and testing needs.

Because COVID-19 is highly contagious, the simple measures outlined here apply both on and off-campus. Any of us alone can spread this disease and cause harm to others. But all of us together can build a community that is safe and healthy, where educational success is possible.

• Complete daily screenings.
• Wear face coverings (masks) whenever in public or with people who are not in your immediate household.
• Maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.
• Wash your hands.
• Participate in testing and contact tracing.
• Comply with quarantine and isolation protocols if exposed.
• Do not host or attend prohibited social gatherings that violate room occupancy guidelines or are larger than 10 people.
• Remain in the Cortland area for all but emergency travel.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and the impact we have.

Continuation of on-campus activity

• Only through universal compliance with safety guidelines can we avoid the kind of surge in cases that would trigger a state-mandated study-in-place period.
• Any SUNY campus that has 100 positive COVID tests among its population within a designated two-week period will automatically have to shift to online course delivery and implement enhanced safety measures for at least two weeks.
• At the end of the two-week study-in-place period, the campus will be evaluated and, if positive cases are dropping, study-in-place may be lifted.

Members of the SUNY Cortland community can keep track of how many positive cases the university has, and how close it is to a mandatory study-in-place, through the SUNY tracker.

Community and personal safety

• Following safety guidelines is the best way for students to stay healthy. Although many students experience few serious symptoms, many others have experienced significant illness and may suffer long-term impacts.
• During a pandemic, we are all responsible for the safety of those around us, including people with underlying conditions or other high-risk factors. No SUNY Cortland student would want a moment of carelessness to sicken, or possibly kill, another person.

Student conduct sanctions

• Any violation of the requirements outlined in the Expectations section are considered violations of SUNY Cortland’s Student Code of Conduct.
• Enforcement of the policies aimed at protecting the health of the community is uniform across the 64 SUNY campuses.
• This SUNY-wide mandate includes strict disciplinary actions that could include loss of campus access, suspension or even permanent dismissal.