As we begin to welcome new and returning students to our campuses, I want to reiterate how crucial it is that we all abide by the health and safety protocols required in our ACPHS Reopening Plan. Colleges across the country are already seeing the dire repercussions of people not wearing masks or social distancing, and as a result have had short-lived on campus fall semesters.
Governor Stipulates When Colleges Must Go Remote
Yesterday, Governor Cuomo issued additional guidance to colleges due to "troubling reports of students congregating on college campuses." This guidance stipulates that "if colleges have 100 cases or if the number of cases equal 5 percent of their population or more, they must go to remote learning for two weeks." However, even if a college is below these thresholds, the local health department or NYS Department of Health can order colleges to suspend on-campus activities upon a finding of the college's inability to control the outbreak. ACPHS is fully capable of avoiding these situations as long as everyone adheres to our distancing policies.
Everyone's Responsibility to Protect Our Community
I implore each and every one of you to accept the responsibility of protecting our College community. We do not want to be one of the several schools making headlines for suspending students for violating pandemic precautions.
We are all in this together. We depend on each member of the community for the overall health of the community. Everyone should not only abide by our ACPHS Reopening Plan, but help to enforce the protocols that protect our community. We need to wear masks, practice social distancing, complete the daily health assessment, get tested for COVID-19, and adhere to any required quarantine period.
If you observe people not following the precautions, please remind them to do so. If after being reminded a person continues not to follow the protocols, please use this form to report this. This is about your health as well as theirs. Student Affairs will address the reports submitted regarding students and Human Resources will address reports regarding employees.
As stated in the Student Health/Safety agreement each student signed,
the College will sanction individuals based on the specific circumstances, with the foremost goal of promoting the health and safety of the community. The full range of sanctions outlined in the Student Handbook will be considered when a student has been found responsible for violating this agreement. These sanctions include being suspended or expelled from campus.
Employees who fail to comply may be subject to disciplinary action. To align with our values and our Open Door Policy, we encourage employees to promptly address problems or concerns directly with their supervisor. Employees are also welcome to contact Human Resources if they prefer to review/address their concerns. Open communication is essential to a successful work environment and all employees can raise issues of concern without concern of reprisal.
Important Reminders Before Coming to Campus
- All Albany students/employees must submit COVID test result using this form
- All Vermont students/employees will be tested on campus 8/28-8/29
- All students and employees must complete daily health assessment
- All students and employees must complete COVID-19 training
- All students and employees arriving from areas with travel advisories must follow these quarantine restrictions
I know this semester will be unlike any other and may be difficult at times, but following the reopening plan protocols is the best way we can protect our campus community and keep our campus open.
Thank you for your cooperation. Working together we will all get through this.
Greg Dewey
