Students, Faculty, Staff and Families:

Conditions permitting, ESF will transition on Monday, March 14, to the YELLOW level on the COVID masking framework. This action aligns our masking practices on campus with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Syracuse University, and those in place in the local community and around the country.

Under the YELLOW masking level, transmission risk is moderate and:

• Masks are REQUIRED for all unvaccinated students, faculty, staff and visitors on campus indoors at all times, and outdoors when in the presence of others.
• Masks are RECOMMENDED for vaccinated students, faculty, staff and visitors while indoors in the presence of others, and outdoors in large group settings.

In recent weeks, the CDC, New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Onondaga County Executive, and several national and New York state peers have announced significant changes to public health guidelines. This includes dramatically reduced indoor masking requirements, including the elimination of mask mandates in K-12 public schools. At ESF, we have enacted careful steps that align with significantly improving public health conditions.

Please note that despite this positive progress, on-demand testing remains available to ESF students, faculty, staff, and families through Syracuse University. Please visit the SU website for the most up-to-date testing hours.

Thanks for your continued cooperation and adherence to the College’s public health guidelines, and for your ongoing commitment to a safe and healthy campus.

SUNY ESF COVID-19 Response Team