Oswego Spring Forward 2022 Guidance

[Updated Jan. 14, 2022]

The Oswego Spring Forward 2022 Guidance reinforces our campus efforts and diligence to protect and advance the academic and residential experience for our students. The following are key elements that we are pleased to share with you in preparation for the spring 2022 semester.

Please note this guidance is in alignment with Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent (Dec. 31, 2021) announcement and in accordance with SUNY’s COVID-19 Guidance for Spring 2022.

BEFORE ARRIVING TO CAMPUS

Vaccination and Booster Shots Required for Students

• The SUNY Student COVID-19 Vaccine Policy remains in effect for the spring 2022 semester, requiring all SUNY Oswego students who have any physical presence on campus—including students residing off-campus and coming to campus for class, activities, meeting up with friends/professors, etc., and Syracuse campus students—to complete a full vaccine series.  
  
  NEW! In addition to the initial course of vaccination, any SUNY Oswego student with an on campus presence (i.e., not fully remote for the semester) who is eligible for a booster shot MUST RECEIVE A BOOSTER SHOT for the spring 2022 semester.  We strongly encourage all students who are eligible for their booster shot to “get boosted” before returning to campus later this month.  Individuals are eligible for a booster shot five months after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and two months after the J&J vaccine. 
  
  Instructions are provided to assist SUNY Oswego students with submitting their COVID-19 vaccine records, including booster shots and test results, via the Medicat Patient Portal.
  
  
• How to Get Your Booster Shot: Get vaccinated or “boosted” today. Visit https://www.vaccines.gov/search to find a COVID-19 vaccine site near you.  

ARRIVING ON CAMPUS

Start of the Spring 2022 Semester

• All spring 2022 classes begin on Monday, January 24, 2022, with in-person academic instruction modalities in place as originally planned.  

COVID-19 Testing Upon Return/Arrival to Campus

To protect the health and safety of all members of our campus community, we are encouraging all students to get tested within 72 hours prior to their arrival or return to campus to confirm they are negative for COVID-19.

• The following tests are acceptable:

  Negative PCR test within 72 hours of initial arrival on campus
• Negative antigen rapid test that was taken within the prior six hours of arrival to campus
• Negative at-home antigen test within six hours with a photo of the following information:

1. the test result labeled with the date and time of the test along with the student’s name and date of birth

2. photo of student identification next to the test results

Please submit your negative test result to the Medicat Patient Portal.

NOTE: If you test positive, please submit your positive test result to the Medicat Patient Portal, and contact Health Services at 315.312.4100 or email: whealth@oswego.edu. Do not come to campus until after the required isolation period or until you are symptom free.
 

Or Test when you get to campus: Students who are unable to test before they return / arrive to the main campus or the Syracuse campus, and who do not submit a negative COVID-19 test will be required to test within 24 hours of their arrival.

Return to campus testing (for students on the main campus) will take place in Swetman Gym, beginning Monday, Jan. 17 and running through Friday, Jan. 28. Visit the Testing Center website for hours of operation and schedule your appointment today.

Syracuse Campus students: Return to campus testing will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022 from 2 to 6 p.m., at the Syracuse Campus, Room 129.

 If you have any questions about testing, email covidtesting@oswego.edu.

THROUGHOUT THE SPRING 2022 SEMESTER

Masks

• Mandatory indoor mask requirement continues until further notice.  Please bring and wear your own personal masks upon arrival to campus. Masks will continue to be required for all students and employees, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor spaces, except when eating or drinking. Unvaccinated persons are also required to maintain social distance in all campus settings where practicable.

Surveillance Testing

Surveillance testing will begin on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022 and will return to its Poucher Lounge location (the open area at the far east end of Marano Campus Center adjacent to the Shineman Center). Appointments are not required for surveillance testing. 

• Mandatory weekly testing will continue for anyone with a physical presence on campus who has a campus approved medical or religious exemption or for any employee who has not provided proof of vaccination.
• New!  Additional surveillance testing will now be required monthly for anyone with a physical presence on either the Oswego or Syracuse campus, and who has not yet received their booster shot. See details provided below.
  
  
• Weekly Testing: Unvaccinated students (with approved medical or religious exemptions) and employees who have not provided proof of vaccination must complete mandatory weekly testing.
• Monthly Testing: Vaccinated students and employees who have not yet received their booster shot must test once per month for the duration of the spring 2022 semester or until they receive their booster. Additional scheduling / appointment details are forthcoming.
• No Testing: Those students and employees who have completed a full vaccination series; received their booster shot; and who have provided proof of their vaccination and booster are excused from monthly surveillance testing.

Oswego Forward in Spring 2022

As we prepare and look ahead to the spring 2022 semester, SUNY Oswego faculty, staff and administrators continue to be optimistic about providing our returning students and newly enrolled Lakers with the in-person collegiate experience you desire and deserve.  We are planning for an exciting semester this spring that will continue to allow our students to interact with faculty in face-to-face classes, experience hands-on internship opportunities, and engage with one another in a variety of social settings and activities.

While we are all excited about looking forward, remember to continue to follow all COVID-19 safety guidelines while you enjoy the rest of your break and the prescribed guidance when you return to campus for the semester ahead.  With the Omicron variant impacting all of us, it is increasingly important that we stay focused, get “boosted” and continue to make wise choices that will enable us to enjoy and experience a full semester ahead.

We will communicate with the campus community again as more details become available in the weeks ahead.  Until then, #BeWellOswego.

Warm regards,

Mary C. Toale
Officer-in-Charge
SUNY Oswego