Saint Rose shares restart plan for Spring 2021 and testing information

Dr. Shai Butler, vice president for student development, sent the following message to Saint Rose students today (December 4, 2020):

Dear Students,

To protect our campus community and the surrounding neighborhood when we resume classes on January 19, we have increased our testing requirements for the spring semester. Student and employee compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols was phenomenal in the fall semester, but we want to be sure we start from a strong baseline in the spring, and testing assists with that goal.

Students who will be coming to campus for any reason in the spring semester must submit a negative COVID-19 test result by the dates specified below. Card access to buildings will be turned off for anyone who fails to submit a result. Students who will not be on campus during the spring semester may complete an opt-out form. They will not have card access to College buildings for the spring semester.

You will have to obtain testing off-campus. The New York State Department of Health offers a searchable directory of testing sites. Out-of-state students can find testing sites through their state’s health department. The College will allow the submission of results from rapid COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostic testing, including the rapid antigen tests.

Of course, these guidelines are based on pandemic conditions and New York State regulations at this time and are subject to change. Please keep up with your Saint Rose email for updates in the coming weeks. Information can also be found on the restart website, which has been updated for Spring 2021.

Students who live on campus will receive a follow-up message soon from Residence Life detailing move-in procedures.

See below for deadlines by population (or see the attached chart):

Students living on-campus from areas NOT on the NYS travel advisory: Students who live on campus should take a COVID-19 test (either rapid or PCR test) on or after January 11. If you are planning to arrive on campus before January 18, please notify reslife@strose.edu, and they will work with you on your testing timetable.

Students who commute to campus from areas NOT on the NYS travel advisory: Graduate students and undergraduates who live off-campus should test on or after January 12. Students who will be taking all-remote classes and do not plan on coming to campus for any other reason can complete this waiver form to receive permission to opt-out of testing.

Students from areas named under the New York State travel advisory who live on campus: Students from areas named under the New York State travel advisory should be tested by January 11 in their home area, and plan on arriving at Saint Rose by January 14, where they must quarantine according to New York State regulations. The College’s Health Services will conduct the second COVID-19 test required by New York State on January 18, so that students with negative test results can be released from quarantine. Students must submit the results from the test they had in their home area and proof of completing the New York State traveler health form by January 14 to covidresults@strose.edu.

Students from areas named under the New York State travel advisory who live off campus: Students who live off campus but are coming from areas on the New York State travel advisory list, must follow state regulations, which includes a COVID-19 test before leaving their area and quarantine after arrival in their off-campus housing. The College’s Health Services will offer the NYS-required second COVID-19 test at Health Services for these students on January 14 and 15, so they can test out of quarantine. Students who plan to take advantage of Health Services testing should arrive in their off-campus housing four days in advance of either January 14 or 15, whichever date they select to be tested. Students must submit the results from the test they had in their home area, and proof of completing the New York State traveler health form, by January 14 to covidresults@strose.edu.

Submitting test results: With the exception of students coming from areas covered under the New York State travel advisory, student test results should be sent to covidresults@strose.edu by January 17 for processing. If your results are not back by that date, students should contact covidresults@strose.edu to notify the College, and we will instruct you on what to do until that result is back.

Again, all information provided is based on current New York State regulations and the status of the pandemic at this time, and those conditions are ever-changing. You should look to your Saint Rose email and the restart website for updates. We look forward to welcoming you back to campus in January.