Welcome New ESF Graduate Students!
Thank you for your patience and support as we have worked closely with the State, SUNY, Department of Health, Upstate Medical University, and Syracuse University to develop our plan for the Fall 2020 semester. We have finally been cleared to share with you our plans for the upcoming semester, with the understanding that they are
still subject to change due to new information, guidance and/or direction from the State
. The complete plan can be found here:
https://www.esf.edu/coronavirus/documents/ESF%20Campus%20Restart%20Plan.pdf
ESF has a long history of collaboration with Syracuse University. More than 800 ESF students take classes at Syracuse University, and more than 100 of their students take courses at ESF. Thus, we have been in close contact with their administration as we developed our academic program plans.
Classes for the Fall 2020 semester will begin on August 24.
Classes will be in session on Labor Day. ESF will finish Fall 2020 coursework on Tuesday, November 24, 2020. Students will leave for break and reading week and finals will take place following Thanksgiving. Finals will be completed online, and the Fall 2020 semester will close on December 9, 2020.
ESF will offer three types of class experiences: face-to-face classes for some classes less than 30 students, flex/hybrid classes in which some face-to-face instruction will be offered simultaneously with online content, and online-only courses. We will also hold classes in classrooms on the Syracuse University campus. As part of the Marshall Hall renovation project, most Landscape Architecture classes will temporarily be held downtown at 224 Harrison Street, Syracuse, NY. All of our classrooms have been measured and new, reduced-seating guidelines have been created to ensure social distancing. We do expect that students will be able to engage in intramural athletics as well as student clubs/activities, although we are still investigating options.
The health and safety of everyone in our community is our top concern. As such, we have developed a very strong relationship with Upstate Medical University and will be working in conjunction with them and Syracuse University for our screening and testing protocols. We, along with Syracuse University, will be using a novel RNA testing approach in Centennial Hall, our residence hall, to monitor whether the virus is present in the population. If the COVID RNA is found in the dorm’s wastewater, that would be the signal to begin more intensive group and individual testing of students in the dorm.
For tracing, one of our faculty members is being certified to do tracing through Johns Hopkins University. Once certification is complete, the faculty member will work with the Onondaga County Health Department to manage tracing on campus.
The College’s custodial staff has been trained for anticipated Fall operations. Disinfection location and frequency will be tracked on a daily basis, per NY Forward Guidance. In addition to routine cleaning, custodial staff will endeavor to clean and disinfect the following areas twice per day, at minimum: individual and shared bathrooms, classrooms, lecture spaces, dry labs, computer labs, café seating, elevators, entrances, lobbies, library seating, central receiving and mailroom, reception areas, break rooms, and the College Bookstore. High touch point areas (drinking fountains, hand rails, etc.) will be disinfected multiple times each day.
In keeping with anticipated SUNY guidance, the College will instill a sense of community responsibility and empower members of the campus community, including students, to maintain a safe environment by providing disinfectant and microfiber cloths widely throughout campus. These cloths will be laundered by custodial staff on a weekly basis. Members of the campus community, including students, will be expected to disinfect communal spaces on a daily basis, including but not limited to studios, computer labs, conference rooms, kitchenettes, and offices. Custodial staff will also be disinfecting these areas, but it is recognized that a community effort will be needed to achieve success. Classrooms will each be equipped with disinfectant and microfiber cloths.
All ESF students, faculty, and staff will be required to follow the guidelines set forth by the State of New York and the Onondaga County Health Department. ESF Student Affairs is in the process of creating guidance for our students regarding expected compliance and safe behavior on our campus and local communities, however, please know the following:
All students, faculty, and staff will be required to wear face masks in situations in which social distancing cannot be maintained (i.e., classrooms, hallways, walking to and from classes). Please bring personal masks to campus.
Again, there are additional details included in the full plan, which can be found
online
, and we encourage you to please watch your email. Town Halls will be scheduled throughout the summer to facilitate an exchange of ideas and answer questions.
Two things have become increasingly clear. This is a work-in-progress, and we will succeed when we all work together. We look forward to welcoming you to ESF in August.
Sincerely,
Joseph Rufo
Officer-in-Charge
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Administration
David Newman
Interim Provost
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Scott Shannon
Associate Provost for Instruction and Dean of the Graduate School
