Immunizations

State University of New York COVID-19 Guidance for Summer and Fall 2022 Semesters  

Since the beginning of the pandemic, SUNY has strategically navigated the course of the  COVID-19 virus in its various forms. In response to a changing environment, we have  continued to update our guidance to reflect the latest conditions. This guidance is intended to  provide the maximum amount of flexibility to each campus while recognizing that the virus will  remain in our communities well into the future.  

These updated protocols are subject to change as COVID-related conditions develop. In addition, nothing herein limits the authority of campuses to impose additional COVID restrictions within its current authority if not enumerated in the following guidance. Campuses must continue to comply with any additional requirements imposed by the State, SUNY, and local jurisdictions as appropriate.

VACCINE AND BOOSTER POLICY 

The SUNY Student COVID-19 Vaccine Policy (the “Policy”) remains in effect  and requires all students who will have a physical presence on campus to  provide evidence of, at minimum, the initial course of COVID vaccinations.  Pursuant to the Policy, students are considered fully vaccinated for the initial course of vaccination: (1) two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two  dose COVID-19 vaccine series or (2) two weeks after receiving a single dose  COVID-19 vaccine.

Boosters are strongly encouraged and while not required at this time campuses must continue to review medical or religious  exemption requests and may designate deadlines by which students should  submit any requests for timely review before the semester begins. For the  purposes of this policy, "students" are defined as any individual matriculated  or otherwise enrolled full-time or part-time at SUNY Facilities as well as visiting, auditing, exchange, continuing education, and international students  taking in-person courses at SUNY. The definition of students does not include  individuals whose student status is solely due to participation in workforce  training programming arranged directly through their employer, unless specifically designated by the campus. The definition of students also does  not include high school students in concurrent enrollment courses offered by  a SUNY campus and located at the student’s high school or other third-party  location.

All students are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on their  vaccinations as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including obtaining any booster authorized by the FDA and  recommended by the CDC for their age group. While not required at this  time, SUNY reserves the authority to impose a requirement for any booster  at any time as a result of changes in local conditions or as a result of requirements imposed by Federal, State or local authorities.

Students enrolled in any program or course or who are participating in a clinical or internship held at a third-party location must continue to comply with all health and safety guidelines, including any vaccination or testing protocols that are in place at the third-party location.

Campuses, in consultation with the local health department, may provide an  exemption for students who are not registered for in-person classes but who  will utilize campus facilities in person on a limited basis as defined by the  campus. Students must sign an attestation acknowledging understanding of  such limitations.

Non-SUNY students participating in non-residential summer programming  such as athletic, music, or other camps are not considered “students” subject to the COVID-19 Vaccine Policy. Campuses should consult with  their local health departments in determining safety protocols for such programming.

Campuses, in their sole discretion, may at any time impose additional vaccine  requirements, including a requirement for any boosters, for other campus activities including access to certain campus facilities. 

RETURN TO CAMPUS TESTING 

While not required, campuses are encouraged to develop a plan to test all  students upon return who will have a regular physical presence on campus. 

MASKS & SOCIAL DISTANCING 

At all times, Campuses will continue to monitor local conditions and determine  if mask mandates are required. Such assessment should include an evaluation  of CDC guidance and any metrics that exist at that time. Campuses may  continue to maintain the mask requirement in any venue or with any specific  population on campus in their sole discretion. If it is determined that any  element of the mask mandate will be changed, it must be clearly communicated with students and employees.

Campuses must maintain a clear plan for actions they will take in the event  that cases in the community or on campus begin to increase.

All students, faculty, and staff need to follow the masking requirements for  activities or instruction delivered at a third-party location. 

TESTING 

Mandatory surveillance testing will continue for any student with a regular  physical presence on campus who has a campus approved medical or  religious exemption.

Campuses, in their discretion, may implement a regular surveillance testing  program of all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. This may include regular testing of employees pursuant to a campus level labor management  agreement.  

DAILY HEALTH SCREENING 

Campuses may require daily health screenings at their discretion. Regular communications should include the importance of all campus community  members monitoring their symptoms, staying away from others if they feel sick, and getting tested if they have any symptoms.

QUARANTINE & ISOLATION 

Campuses must maintain an appropriate level of quarantine and isolation  space in consultation with the local health department. CDC Guidance  indicates that fully vaccinated individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 do not have to quarantine unless they are symptomatic. 

PIVOT TO REMOTE INSTRUCTION OR ACTIVITY 

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) requirements for a  mandatory pause are no longer in effect. Campuses will continue to monitor local conditions and must obtain approval from SUNY System Administration in order to change to a virtual or remote format for academic instruction, delay the start of the semester, modify spring break, or delay or change the format of commencement activities. 

ONGOING DATA COLLECTION 

SUNY System Administration has built two solutions through which campuses report the vaccination status of their students. Campuses may opt to use the campus-to-System interconnection or a student-facing portal. Campuses are required to continue to report the vaccine status, including  exemption status, of all enrolled students, including those who will be fully remote for the semester, via one of these reporting options.

Campuses must continue to report all testing results daily through the SUNY Health Portal but can pre-fill entries for days when no testing is done or is anticipated to be done. 

COMPLIANCE 

Any incidents of non-compliance with any SUNY or campus protocols will  continue to be handled through the individual Campus Code of Conduct  process for students and Human Resources for employees.

New York State Public Health Law #2165 requires that ALL students born after January 1, 1957 and who are planning to register for six (6) or more campus-based credits must provide the following:

Proof of:

• 2 measles vaccinations
• 1 mumps vaccination
• 1 rubella vaccination

OR

• 2 MMR vaccinations

OR

• Titers with results proving immunity

Please be advised that if you do not meet the immunization requirements (or obtain a waiver due to health or religious reasons), within 30 days of the beginning of the semester, you will be administratively withdrawn from the college. This means that you will forfeit ALL tuition and fees, will not receive any grades, and will not be permitted to register for ensuing study at the college until proof of immunizations are verified by our Health Services Office. DO NOT assume that immunization records are sent to the college with your academic transcript.

Immunization records can be obtained from:

• Your high school
• Your family physician
• Last college attended

Order Your Academic Transcripts Online via the National Student Clearinghouse.

New York State Public Health Law #2167 makes it mandatory for ALL college students taking six (6) or more credits on campus to receive information about the meningitis vaccine and the disease.

ALL students MUST Fill out the Meningitis Response Form.

The Meningitis vaccine is not required to attend, but - whatever your decision - you must fill out the response form. A signature is necessary either declining the vaccine AND/OR providing proof of receiving the meningitis vaccine.