Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
As our Laker community works hard at closing out the semester safely and strong, the SUNY Oswego administration is also finalizing the Winter and Spring Forward 2021 Plan. The plan, being submitted to SUNY this week, will continue to focus on the health and safety of our campus community and will strive to increase the engagement our students have with one another, as well as expand the services and support our faculty and staff provide to all members of our campus community.
We look forward to offering enhanced dining, continued access to the well-received Oz-Spots, and providing mentoring and career development opportunities as part of the new Laker Success Package and the soon-to-launch Imagine 2021 program. We are also planning for opportunities for students to safely convene small group gatherings (currently restricted to 10 or less) this spring, which will allow various student organizations to meet and engage in face-to-face operations. In addition, we are looking closely at the spring 2021 semester to assess where we can schedule days off at key points throughout the semester to provide our students with a much needed break or “stress buster.”
I hope you find the following highlights of our Winter and Spring Forward 2021 Plan helpful as you head into the winter break and plan for your return in the spring 2021 semester.
- Pre-Screen 14 Days Prior to Arrival – All students and employees must pre-screen daily for travel history, COVID-19 history and COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days prior to arriving on campus for the spring 2021 semester.
- Your Return to Campus – Beginning on or before January 20, 2021, SUNY Oswego will begin to bring students back to live in residence halls. The college’s Office of Residence Life & Housing will contact and work with students to determine their respective return dates.
- All Spring 2021 Classes will Begin on February 1, 2021, with SUNY Oswego planning to offer 50% of its coursework face-to-face (approximately 25% face-to-face and 25% hybrid).
- Get Tested Upon Arrival – A phased return will take place for all residential students. Each student must comply with a scheduled date and time (to be arranged by students in coordination with Residence Life & Housing in January) and get tested at the Lee Hall Testing Center for campus baseline COVID-19 pooled saliva testing before moving into their residence hall. Off-campus students and employees returning to campus must also participate in baseline COVID-19 pooled saliva testing upon arrival. There is no cost to students or employees who participate in campus-based testing.
- First (7) Days on Campus – All students must restrict their activity for their first (7) day period on campus, including learning and dining remotely, consistent with "NYS Guidance on “Limitations of On-Campus Activity.”
- Participate in Surveillance Testing throughout the Semester – All students and employees coming to campus must regularly participate in COVID-19 surveillance testing throughout the spring 2021 semester.
Please be sure to check your Oswego email periodically over the break. We will be sending important updates and sharing information about the Winter and Spring Forward 2021 Plan as soon as it is approved by SUNY. We will also be launching a new, updated website that is dedicated to the Winter and Spring Forward 2021 Plan. The website will provide important details and instructions regarding your return to campus, health and safety guidelines, and testing protocols you – our students, faculty and staff – will be required to follow.
Until then, I wish you all the best as you enjoy a well-deserved break. Stay safe and healthy. See you all in 2021!
Warmest regards,
Deborah F. Stanley
President