President urges students to complete Fall 2020 Student Survey

10/23/2020 

Dear Cortland students:

I have heard from many of you this week. Extending our study-in-place policy is frustrating and difficult, but we must do so for the safety of the campus and outside communities.

That’s why I am asking you to do the right thing and stay here on campus or in Cortland. Guidance from SUNY requires this. We are obligated to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other communities and, in particular, to vulnerable individuals. Cortland currently is a COVID-19 micro-cluster and we need to do our part to reduce the spread.

I also want you to know that we are listening. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to complete the Fall 2020 Student Survey, which will provide crucial feedback for the spring semester. Please know that your concerns are heard and we are working to address them.

• Continued communication: You can expect regular email communication every Tuesday and Friday. We will work to keep these messages clear and concise while sharing important updates and answering common questions.

• Stay engaged: Use the campus calendar to browse daily events, including a professional mind reader hosted by Cortland Nites this Saturday night, and the study-in-place page for more information on mental and emotional health resources.

• Connect on Instagram: Follow @sunycortland on Instagram to learn more about what’s happening on campus.

We must continue thinking about our SUNY Cortland community and how we can heal collectively to make it whole again. Recent testing has shown encouraging results, with new and active cases continuing to drop, and this is all due to your diligence and sacrifice.

I believe that we can continue this process by working together and doing the right thing. In the coming weeks, doing the right thing means staying diligent to all health and safety guidance.

My admiration for your efforts grows each day. I extend my deepest thanks for all that you’ve done and all that you continue to do.

All the best,

Erik J. Bitterbaum

President