New spring semester information on mandatory arrival testing, remote instruction first week, and booster clinics

President Marcia White sent the following message to Saint Rose students today (December 30, 2021) regarding changes for the Spring 2022 semester:

Update: Please note that students living in the residence halls received an update from Residence Life on December 31, 2021, with additional information.

Dear students,

We hope you are enjoying a well-deserved winter break and are looking forward to 2022.

Unfortunately, as we move into the new year, COVID-19 positivity rates are rising locally and nationally. As always, our priority is a safe in-person return for the Spring 2022 semester. Given recent updated public health guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and New York State, we have made important changes to our return to campus plan for January.

Remote instruction January 18 through January 21

To allow time for thorough testing of our Saint Rose community before in-person classes begin, we are switching to remote instruction for the first week of the Spring 2022 semester. That means you will take classes remotely from Tuesday, January 18, through Friday, January 21, with in-person instruction beginning January 24.

The residence halls will still open January 16 at 10 a.m. as scheduled.

Mandatory testing on campus, and we encourage pre-arrival testing

All employees and students who will be coming to campus during the spring 2022 semester are required to participate in on-campus COVID-19 testing at the start of the semester, regardless of vaccination status. We will also randomly test 25% of our campus population weekly throughout the semester regardless of vaccination status.

If possible, we strongly encourage you to take a COVID-19 test prior to your arrival on campus (at-home test or at a testing site) because if your test result is positive, you will be able to quarantine at home.

Resident students who test positive upon arrival on campus, will have to quarantine in designated campus housing or travel back home to quarantine.

Should you test positive before coming to campus, quarantine at home and report your positive result to covidresults@strose.edu, as we are required to submit reports to the Department of Health.

On-campus testing process for all students

Students who live in the residence halls: You will receive a test kit the weekend of January 16 through 17 from your RA. You will provide your saliva sample on the morning of January 18 and drop the sample in a collection bin. We will let you know where the bins will be located when you return.

Commuter and graduate students: Testing will be offered in the Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium by advance sign-up on January 18 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or you can pick up your test kit from the Student Development office at the Campus Green-side windows of the EAC that day from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., provide a saliva sample, and drop it in a collection bin. Test kits will also be available for pick up at the same location on January 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Some early-arrival students, such as some student-athletes, resident assistants, and nursing students, will be tested prior to these dates.

Get the vaccine booster now

Although it is not required for the start of the spring 2022 semester, it is likely the College will mandate the booster at some point in 2022 for those who have not been granted medical or religious exemptions.

If you are currently eligible to receive your COVID-19 booster dose, please do so now. The CDC reports that the booster increases immune response in recipients and offers significantly improved protection from being infected with COVID-19, spreading the virus, and having a severe case.

We will hold booster clinics on January 20 and February 3 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium. Use this link to sign up for either booster clinic. Find information about when you are eligible for your booster dose here. If you attended a previous on-campus vaccination clinic, you are eligible for one of these booster clinic dates.

Other protocols, masking, and events

Quarantine: We are still seeking information from New York State and the Albany County Department of Health on whether the shorter quarantine periods recently recommended by the CDC would apply to our student body. We will share this information when it is available.

Please note that new CDC recommendations do not require quarantine for people who have received their booster dose and are exposed to someone with the virus, which is another reason to get your booster. The new CDC guidelines require quarantine of direct contacts even if they are fully vaccinated but have not received a booster dose. This would be a change from our fall protocol.

Daily questionnaire: It is vital that you continue to answer the daily questionnaire. If you have any symptoms of illness, please DO NOT come to campus or go to class. Call the College’s Health Services or your own doctor for guidance and to be tested.

Masking: We will continue to require that masks be worn inside of all campus buildings.

Events: We are currently reviewing our events guidelines to see what changes may be necessary given the rise in COVID-19 rates.

The newest variant is highly transmissible, and many asymptomatic individuals are testing positive. It is important that we do our part to protect, not only our own health, but the health of other members of our community.

As this is an evolving situation, these plans are subject to change. Please watch your email for updates.

Enjoy the balance of this winter break. I look forward to welcoming 2022 together.

Sincerely,

Marcia White
President