Dear ESF Students, Faculty and Staff,

We’re busy preparing for the upcoming semester and looking forward to welcoming new and returning members of the ESF community to campus next month. Today’s message provides an overview of public health guidelines and protocols planned for fall, recommended by the ESF COVID-19 Response Team in conjunction with Syracuse University and local public health guidance.

Vaccination

• The College’s vaccination requirement will remain unchanged from the 2021-2022 academic year. The initial COVID-19 vaccination is required by SUNY, and access to SU facilities requires the initial series, plus one booster dose upon eligibility, except for those with approved medical or religious exemptions.

Masking

• ESF will discontinue its color-coded COVID Masking Framework, effective Aug. 15. Masking will be optional in all campus settings for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, except where it remains required by the NYS Department of Health (i.e., healthcare facilities and while on public transportation).
• We strongly encourage all members of the campus community to consider masking based on an assessment of personal risk, especially when in large groups, high-density areas of campus, or in response to an exposure to a known COVID-positive individual.
• ESF’s masking policy remains subject to public health orders issued by the Onondaga County Health Department, the New York State Department of Health, and SUNY, and will be adjusted if directed by relevant authorities.

Testing

• The Syracuse University Testing Center will not re-open in the fall and ESF will discontinue mandatory COVID surveillance testing on campus.
• Symptomatic students, faculty, and staff should access testing via community providers or utilize self-administered, at-home test kits. Questions about testing should be directed to ESF’s COVID Coordinator.
• Free at-home tests are currently available from the federal government.

Additional Considerations

• Centennial Hall will continue to provide off-campus isolation housing to on-campus students who test positive for COVID-19.
• Students who live off campus and test positive for COVID-19 will be responsible for securing their own isolation housing, if required, at their own expense.
• The College will continue to provide free masks, which are available through ESF’s COVID Coordinator.
• Given the discontinuation of mandatory surveillance testing and the widespread use of at-home and community-based COVID testing, the COVID-19 Dashboard will be retired. However, we will continue to provide public health updates and notices on ESF’s COVID-19 page and by email with the campus community as needed.

Like other communicable illnesses, such as the flu, our campus community will continue to face challenges stemming from COVID infections and illness. However, we're confident we will continue to successfully navigate these challenges. The ESF COVID-19 Response Team will remain active and in communication with Syracuse University, SUNY, and local public health officials to monitor the public health situation on campus and in our community. If necessary, we will take action to adjust the procedures and protocols detailed above in response to changing public health conditions.   

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we look forward to welcoming you to campus this fall!

SUNY ESF COVID-19 Response Team