News Detail

President announces vaccine requirement for residential students

07/19/2021 

Dear students,

SUNY Cortland’s top priority remains the health and welfare of our community. We are also committed to safely returning to full campus academic, athletic, recreational and social activities this fall.

To that end, we are joining many of our fellow SUNY campuses in requiring all students who live on campus to become vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the fall semester. This means that, with limited exceptions for approved medical and religious reasons, all students planning to live on campus during the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated. 

Widespread vaccination is an essential part of keeping our residential community safe. Densely populated residence halls with shared common spaces offer favorable conditions for the virus’ spread. The fall semester will offer a robust student experience, but only if we can ensure the safety of our campus community.

That’s why a strong vaccination policy is the cornerstone of our plan to return to campus in Fall 2021. This plan, available online, should be considered an evolving document that will grow in detail and change as circumstances dictate.

Please review the plan and check the webpage often for updates. You will see that the key to fully engaging in the college experience is vaccination.

Keep in mind that all non-residential students who will be on campus for any reason this fall are expected to be vaccinated, and vaccination for all students will be mandatory as soon as a COVID-19 vaccine receives full FDA approval. Until they are vaccinated, students will need to wear face coverings, maintain physical distance from others and will be limited in how they can use campus facilities such as dining halls and the Student Life Center.

We have the means to have a safe and fully engaged semester. Please, get vaccinated if you have not already done so, and let’s move forward together. 

All the best, 

Erik J. Bitterbaum
President


More News

Cortland honored nationally for sustainable food service

Cortland honored nationally for sustainable food service

University’s Weigh the Waste Earth Day event captured a bronze award among its collegiate peers.


Alum earns full scholarship to medical school

Alum earns full scholarship to medical school

Alex Guerrero ’22, a former biology major, earned the first-ever Upstate Say Yes Scholarship.


SUNY Cortland honored for transfer student support

SUNY Cortland honored for transfer student support

The campus for a seventh year made Phi Theta Kappa's national Transfer Honor Roll.


SUNY Cortland musical wins big at NYC theater festival

SUNY Cortland musical wins big at NYC theater festival

Student beats professionals to take best award for best female musical lead.


TEDx SUNY Cortland 2024 videos available

TEDx SUNY Cortland 2024 videos available

Speakers at the university’s second annual TEDx event shared their ideas about “Reclamation.”


Cortland alumni get second chance for study abroad

Cortland alumni get second chance for study abroad

Health Professor Jena Nichols Curtis will lead a 10-day excursion to southern India for Red Dragon alumni.


Faculty, staff welcome at Alumni Reunion 2024

Faculty, staff welcome at Alumni Reunion 2024

The presence of beloved former teachers and mentors would transform the alumni reunion experience.


Bitterbaum named ‘Trailblazer in Higher Education’

Bitterbaum named ‘Trailblazer in Higher Education’

City & State New York recognized SUNY Cortland’s president among 100 statewide leaders in higher education.


Red Dragon chases MMA dreams overseas

Red Dragon chases MMA dreams overseas

MMA experience and teaching have come together for junior Michael Pichardo.


Alexandru Balas wins Fulbright Award

Alexandru Balas wins Fulbright Award

The international studies professor will focus on Romania’s unique contributions, history.