Campus Update #16: Starting Spring Semester Remote Only with Some Exceptions
To ACPHS Community,

Our top priority continues to be the health and safety of the ACPHS community. We continue to closely monitor community transmission of COVID-19, review all relevant guidance, and evaluate what needs to be done to protect our students, faculty and staff. This email includes the latest decisions that impact the Albany campus only. As previously announced, Vermont students will still be starting the semester remotely on 1/19 and resuming in-person classes on 2/1 consistent with Vermont issued guidance. 

Didactic Classes Remote Only Until 2/1
Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, we have decided that all didactic courses (including lab courses) on the Albany campus will be remote from 1/19 thru 1/29 with in-person classes to resume on 2/1. This will help reduce density on campus and help mitigate the spread of the virus. Students do not need to do anything to update their schedule. We will continue to evaluate the situation and promptly inform our community if we need to further delay in-person classes.

Students Eligible to Return 1/19 to Campus
In addition to protecting our College community, we also want to do all we can to enable our students to graduate on time. Therefore, the following groups of students are eligible to return to campus 1/19:

Clinical
Current APPE students and students starting APPEs in May 2021

Research
All Master's students 
Undergraduate Capstone/Thesis students

Service Learning
Students enrolled in Capstone or Service Learning Courses (Spring & Fall)
Students supporting the LSL Testing/Tracking at ACPHS

All Program Directors will be sending a follow-up email to their students this week to provide additional information and answer any questions. Students returning to campus 1/19 will be routinely tested on campus as an additional measure to protect our campus community. Work study students are not required to return to campus on 1/19.

COVID-19 Testing Required Before Returning to Campus
Before returning to campus, everyone is required to get a COVID-19 test and upload negative test results to Share My Health within two weeks of campus reentry OR be cleared for reentry by Michelle Parent or Wendy Parker. In addition to this pre-semester testing requirement, we will continue to perform surveillance testing during the spring semester. For questions regarding testing, email COVIDTesting@acphs.edu.

Students Can Move Into Residence Halls
Students can move into the residence halls beginning 1/17 at noon. As noted above, students must submit proof of their negative COVID test before they will be allowed to return to housing. Please email ResLife@acphs.edu if you have any questions about moving back into your residence hall room.

January Start Student Orientation 1/15
As we prepare to welcome our new students starting ACPHS in January, we will be available to answer questions about this information and more at this week's orientation on 1/15.

We will continue to closely monitor community transmission of COVID-19 and will promptly inform you if additional measures need to be taken to protect our community. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we navigate these difficult and uncertain times.
 
Greg Dewey
ACPHS President