Dear ESF Students, Faculty and Staff,

This message includes new information about and important reminders pertaining to ESF’s Fall 2022 Public Health Protocols, which were shared in a July 29 email to campus. The highlighted copy indicates new information. 

Masking Framework Discontinued: Effective Monday, Aug. 15, ESF is discontinuing its color-coded COVID Masking Framework.

What This Means

• Masking is optional in all campus settings for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, except where it remains required by the New York State Department of Health (i.e., healthcare facilities and on public transportation).
• Use your judgment when masking. 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.
• Individual offices and course instructors may request masking of all employees, students, and visitors while in areas under their control. Such requests must be consistent with relevant subject-to-change NYS guidelines and ESF policies.
• If you need a mask, they are available in single quantities at the Moon Library Circulation and the Help Desk in 317 Baker Lab. Bulk quantities of surgical masks are available by making a request to pvandemark@esf.edu.
• ESF’s masking policy remains subject to public health orders issued by the Onondaga County Health Department, the NYS Department of Health, and SUNY, and will be adjusted if directed by relevant authorities.

Testing Discontinued: The Syracuse University Testing Center will not re-open in the fall and ESF will discontinue mandatory COVID surveillance testing on campus.

What to Do if You Need a Test

• Students should access testing via:
• Community providers
• Self-administered, at-home test kits, which are available for free through:
• The federal government: Get tests here
• Crouse Medical Practice: Location and contact information here
• Centennial Hall: At the front desk; for residents only
• Faculty and staff should access testing via:
• Community providers 
• Self-administered, at-home test kits, which are available for free from the federal government: Get tests here
• Questions about testing should be directed to Elias Chan, ESF’s COVID Coordinator

To view the Fall 2022 Public Health Protocols, you can view the July 29 message online here.

The ESF COVID-19 Response Team will continue to work 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 adjust our procedures and protocols in response to changing public health conditions.  

SUNY ESF COVID-19 Response Team