President shares COVID-19 testing plan for spring semester

01/11/2021 

Dear students,

I hope each of you have enjoyed a restful and healthy winter break. The university is working hard to make the spring semester as safe and enjoyable as possible.

The university’s comprehensive plan awaits final approval from SUNY System Administration. Although elements could change, I want to make you aware that we are requiring all students to be tested for COVID-19 both before they come to campus and immediately after arriving in Cortland. Under our plan: 

• All students will be required to submit a negative test result — or proof of a positive test and recently completed isolation — within seven days of their return to Cortland. Valid diagnostic tests, including PCR/molecular or antigen tests administered in a medical facility or state or county clinic, will be accepted through an online portal. Details are available online.
  
  
• In addition to the test, students are required to quarantine at home for seven days before they return to campus.
  
  
• Students living in university-operated residence halls will participate in pooled testing on the day they move in.
  
  
• Off-campus and commuter students who plan to use any campus facility during the semester must participate in pooled testing upon their arrival in Cortland. An online sign-up process will be made available no later than Monday, Jan. 18.
  
  
• Surveillance testing will continue throughout the semester and each student will be tested every two weeks. Students will sign up for a date and time to serve as their recurring testing appointment every other week for the duration of the semester.

Please refer to our Spring 2021 Guide online for full details of the university’s plans. This page will be updated frequently as details are approved.

Testing will help keep all of us safe from this virus. Your actions, however, matter just as much. Those who violate these guidelines risk permanent dismissal, suspension or the loss of campus access. Please continue to wear face coverings, practice physical distancing and avoid large gatherings. The safety of our community must be our first priority, and we can have a safe semester as long as we follow these steps together.

I appreciate your patience as the university works to finalize plans as the pandemic continues. I will continue to share more details as soon as possible.

All the best,

Erik J. Bitterbaum 

President