Fully Forward amid COVID-19 (FALL 2021 & SPRING 2022)

This page is an archive of COVID-19 related information from the Fall 2021 & Spring 2022 semesters. For the most updated information regarding Utica University's COVID policies and protective measures, please visit here.

As our institution, along with other parts of the region and nation move forward with functions and activity, we continue to vigilantly monitor and respond to the worldwide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on the Utica community as developments change and new information and guidance is made available.

Deadline for Submitting Proof of Vaccination

See the June 25 memo from President Casamento, below.

View Memo

Important Information:

COVID-19 Vaccine Policy
Request for Medical Accommodation Form
Request for Religious Accommodation Form
Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan
Operational Guidelines and Protocols
COVID-19 Process Flowchart
Higher Ed Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)

PLEDGE

As a Utica College student, I understand that the College has adopted the following requirements to promote the collective well-being of our community. I further understand that my ability to enter, take classes and remain on the Utica College campus is dependent on my adherence to these policies. I pledge to follow these policies not just for my own health, but also to protect and safeguard the health of those in the UC community around me, including fellow students, faculty and staff. I acknowledge and agree that these rules and guidelines may change as public health guidance across the country evolve and as new testing and tracing methods emerge. I agree to abide by any new rules and guidelines that are issued.

Required Testing, Education, and Contact Tracing Self-isolation, Quarantine, and Preventative Health

I will complete the required online COVID-19 education module prior to arriving on campus.
I will participate in frequent routine COVID-19 testing as directed by the College and will complete a daily health screening concluding taking my temperature.
If I test positive for COVID-19, I will share truthful information with the contact tracers about others who may be at risk.
If I test positive for COVID-19, I will comply with the College’s and the State/County public health and self-isolation guidelines.
Promptly upon discovering any symptoms of COVID-19, I will immediately contact College Health Center (315-792-3094) and seek guidance, and comply with the medical instructions I am given.
If I am found to have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, I will comply with all testing and self-quarantine protocols.
Unless it's for health or other identified reasons, when a COVID vaccine becomes available, I will receive it.

Physical distancing, face coverings, and behavioral requirements

I will wear a face mask or facial covering (fully covering my mouth and nose) in the presence of others, and in settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g. common work spaces, meeting rooms, lounges, and classrooms), in any areas outside of my residence hall room and any public areas including, but not limited to, classrooms, hallways, laundry rooms, open field areas and dining halls.
I will follow Utica College’s directives for physical distancing in residential spaces and other campus buildings and areas.
I will keep my contact information updated and current. The Office of the Registrar should be notified of any changes at 315-792-3195.
If any in-person gatherings are allowed at a future time, I will follow all current, posted guidelines at Utica College, in indoor or outdoor settings, and I will neither host nor attend any gathering that violates these requirements on or off campus. You should know that fines in the CIty of Utica and surrounding municipalities as well as the County of Oneida.
When accessing dining services, I follow all COVID-19 guidelines.

Hygiene & Sanitation

I will practice good hygiene, including thorough and frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer, especially when returning from outside, after using a restroom, and before meals.
I will regularly wash any reusable cloth mask per guidelines.
I will sanitize any public space that I use prior to and at the completion of use

Travel

I will remain in the immediate area for the spring semester. If I must travel during the spring semester, I will notify the Director of Emergency Management and comply with any return policies or directives, which may include testing and quarantine.

Guests, Security, and Access

I will not have guests in my residence hall. I understand that "guest" herein means anyone not assigned to my residence hall. This includes Utica College students living in other residences on campus, students living off campus, or external guests, such as siblings/family or friends.
I will only access my own residence hall and will not access other residence halls.
I will not provide access to Utica College buildings to anyone.

I acknowledge that these rules and guidelines may change as life on campus and public health guidance across the country evolve and as new testing and tracing methods emerge.

I agree to abide by any and all new rules and guidelines that are issued by the College
I will respect the wishes of others who request space/social distancing and who remind me to wear my mask if I forget to do so or follow the other expectations found within this pledge.

View / Print / Download PDF

FDA

University of Michigan

Penn State

NurseJournal: COVID-19 Vaccination Hestitancy Among the Nursing Community (May 4, 2021)

Previous Communications

March 1, 2022

Dear Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

I would like to share with you several important updates to our COVID-19 protocols as we continue to navigate the pandemic.

In light of these developments, and in keeping in step with guidance from the public health community, Utica University is transitioning its health and safety policies as follows:

Beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2, masks will not be required on campus. KN95 masks will be available upon request for students, faculty, or staff through the end of this semester. Please contact Gregg Sponburgh, director of environmental health and conservation, at grsponbu@utica.edu to request masks.
Visitors and guests will be allowed on campus, including in the residence halls, subject to the University’s normal visitation policies.
We are changing our testing procedures to test only individuals displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19. Any student who has symptoms will be able to obtain a free test in our Student Health Center. Should we need to resume surveillance testing, we have the necessary supply of tests to immediately do so.
Members of the campus community will no longer be required to complete a daily health screening. Instead, all individuals will receive a daily text and e-mail reminder instructing you of what to do in the event that you begin to experience cold, flu, or COVID-related symptoms.
The University’s booster vaccination requirement remains in effect. If you have not already received your booster and submitted an updated vaccination record, please register for the on-campus clinic scheduled for this Thursday, March 3.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

February 21, 2022

Dear Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

I am pleased to share with you that following our most recent on-campus booster vaccination clinic, 86 percent of our total campus-based student body, 90 percent of our residential student population, 96 percent of our full-time faculty and staff, 86 percent of our adjunct faculty, and 91 percent of our auxiliary services staff are currently in compliance with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination policy.

These figures include: those who have submitted an updated vaccination record certifying full vaccination and booster vaccine, those who have provided a physician-certified request for medical accommodation (including those who are fully vaccinated and had COVID within the past 90 days), and those who are fully vaccinated but not yet eligible to receive the booster vaccine.

We expect we will soon be closer to, if not at, our goal of 100 percent compliance. Toward that end, we are continuing to work with those in our campus community who have not yet met this important requirement.

We continue to receive updated vaccination records on a daily basis. If you have received a booster dose but have not yet submitted your updated vaccination record, please do so today. Students should e-mail health@utica.edu; faculty and staff, please e-mail hr@utica.edu. In addition, nearly 100 individuals are already registered for the on-campus booster clinic that will be held on Thursday, March 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Strebel Student Center. If you haven’t already signed up, please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904084ba9a82fa2ff2-booster. I will provide an update after this clinic.

Along with the dramatic decline in COVID-19 cases in our area – at present, we have only four active cases among our campus community – the number of fully vaccinated and boosted members of our campus community gives us reason to hope that the darkest days of this pandemic are behind us.

Thank you, as always, for your cooperation

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

February 9, 2022

Dear Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

This morning, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York State will lift the statewide mask mandate, which requires mask-wearing at all times in indoor public spaces, effective tomorrow.

In response, Utica College is updating its policy regarding masks. Effective tomorrow, masks will be required only in the following places on campus:

Inside all classrooms, including any spaces where classes, labs, or lectures are held
In faculty and individual staff offices, at the request of the person who occupies that office
Gannett Memorial Library
The Student Health Center

In all other spaces, mask-wearing is encouraged but optional.

As Governor Hochul explained this morning, ending the mask mandate represents a positive turning point in the state’s response to the pandemic. I, too, am optimistic that the Governor’s decision to loosen this restriction is a sign of much better days ahead.

In the meantime, I ask that all of you respect and fully support those who choose to take safety precautions even when they are not required. The threat of the COVID-19 virus is still very real, and personal circumstances may inspire members of our community to wear masks in spaces where they are no longer mandatory. Let us all be considerate of our classmates, colleagues, and friends in our continued effort to keep the campus community safe.

After data is processed from tomorrow’s on-campus booster vaccination clinic, which was rescheduled due to last week’s inclement weather, I will report on the booster vaccination rate of our campus community.

As always, thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

February 1, 2022

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

I wanted to offer this brief update on our ongoing COVID mitigation efforts.

February is here, and I am glad to report that we have made good progress on getting the entire Utica College community boosted against COVID-19. We have had strong attendance at on-campus booster clinics since the start of the semester. Another clinic is scheduled for this Friday, and a large number of individuals have already pre-registered to receive their shots.

In my last message, I said that I would share booster vaccination rates at the beginning of February. Please be advised that I will provide the community with full details early next week, once we have processed the results of Friday’s clinic and updated campus vaccination records.

If you have not yet complied with the College’s booster requirement, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this Friday’s vaccination clinic. If you have already received your booster and not yet provided the College with updated proof of vaccination, please do so as soon as possible.

We continue to see a comparatively low number of positive test results among our campus community – at present, we have 14 active cases – which is an encouraging sign that our safety protocols are working as intended.

Once again, thank you for doing your part in helping to keep our community safe.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

January 21, 2022

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

As we complete the first week of classes, I want to update you on planning for the Spring semester.

Of course, we begin the semester in the shadows of omicron, which continues to infect large numbers of people and, therefore, requires our ongoing vigilance. At the same time, we are encouraged by reports that the omicron surge appears to have peaked and is starting to fall in many areas of the Northeast. To that end, Governor Kathy Hochul reported this week that while New York is still seeing a concerning number of new COVID-19 infections, cases are down 47 percent from a week ago—a positive indication that in the coming weeks, we will be ahead of the omicron curve. We are further encouraged that, more and more, data indicates that omicron is producing significantly fewer cases of serious illness compared to previous COVID-19 strains, and that vaccines, while not 100 percent effective at preventing infections, are certainly preventing serious illness.

Our total number of active cases is 35 (31 students and four employees), and our positivity rate from student return-to-campus testing was approximately 2 percent. Based on data reported by colleges and universities who resumed classes earlier this month, where positivity rates ranged from 3.5 to 10 percent, this figure is relatively low. Currently, the combined vaccination rate for our students, faculty, and staff is nearly 98 percent, and I have been excited to see our on-campus booster clinics jam-packed this week. After the February 1 deadline for our booster requirement, I will update you on the percentage of our campus community that is fully vaccinated, which will include those who are fully vaccinated and boosted and those who are fully vaccinated but not yet eligible to receive the booster.

This is all good news. These developments indicate that we are starting to move toward better days. As scientists advise us that COVID-19, in some form, is likely here to stay, we continue to closely monitor and follow the guidance of public health experts. Last week, Governor Hochul announced the Department of Health has shifted its mitigation strategies to a self-management model, especially as it relates to guidelines for fully vaccinated and boosted individuals. We have already and will continue to evaluate and evolve our campus protocols in line with the updated guidance. Provided case numbers on campus and in the region continue to decline over the next several weeks, we can look forward to a more normal campus experience this semester with more in-person events and activities and fewer restrictions on visitors.

We will move forward by maintaining the safety measures that have enabled our community to effectively manage COVID-19 for now approaching two years. UVC-G upper room air purification and other mitigation technology will remain in all classrooms and elsewhere on campus for the foreseeable future. Like all of you, I look forward to the day when we no longer need to think about face masks or wake up to a text message containing the daily health screening. But we’re not there yet.

From an enrollment perspective, I am very pleased to report that we begin this semester with 60 more students living on campus than we anticipated. This is a great sign after a three-semester decline in the residential population due to COVID-19, and it’s a testament to our staff in Emergency Management, Facilities, the Student Health Center, Campus Safety, and everyone who has worked diligently to make our students feel safe amid the pandemic. Our students are beyond eager to return to a more robust campus life, and we are working hard to make it happen.

I also want to share one upcoming event that I am very excited about. On Friday, April 1, I along with the members of the President’s Cabinet will be trading places for the day with students. If you have ever thought about what you would do differently if you were president, this is your chance. Stay tuned for more details, as well as exciting news about new student activities coming this semester. I will also once again be holding open office hours in the residence halls, and I encourage students to come see me and share your ideas.

I know the remaining weeks of winter still pose a challenge, but I truly believe we can build off the momentum of the Fall semester and finish this academic year in strong fashion. I urge all of you to maintain optimism and approach this semester with pride in all of the inspiring and important work we do here every day. For nearly the past two years, we have all known so much change, isolation, and sadness. In the coming months, my hope is that we can return to a place that brings us all more joy and less sacrifice.

Welcome back, Pioneers.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

January 5, 2022

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

I wanted to inform you of an important update to the College’s COVID prevention protocols for the Spring semester, based on new guidance released yesterday by the CDC and New York State Department of Health.

Please be advised that all students and employees will be required to submit proof of booster vaccination or a physician-certified medical exemption by no later than February 1, 2022 (or your earliest date of eligibility). Students should upload their updated vaccination record to the Student
Health Portal or e-mail health@utica.edu. Faculty, staff, and auxiliary services employees should e-mail their updated vaccination records to hr@utica.edu.

The reasons for this decision are simple. COVID boosters have been proven to dramatically reduce the risk of severe disease, and because our main objective is to keep every member of the campus community safe, this requirement is the best way forward. In addition, individuals who receive the
booster are no longer required under updated guidance from the New York State Department of Health to quarantine in the event of a COVID exposure. That means fewer disruptions and restrictions as we pursue our common goal of returning to a normal campus experience this Spring.

Also, please bear in mind the following:

The $50 Amazon gift card incentive for students will remain in effect. You will receive your gift card when you submit proof of your booster vaccination.
If you recently tested positive for COVID-19 from a breakthrough infection, you are eligible to receive the booster vaccine as soon as you are symptom free and have completed isolation.
On February 1, with a high percentage of our community having been boosted, we will revisit our protocols in hopes of returning to a more normal campus life, including permitting outside visitors in the residence halls and elsewhere on campus.
Please refer to the January 3 update on return-to-campus student testing requirements.

We plan to hold several on-campus booster clinics before February 1. But regardless of where you receive your shot, I strongly encourage you to get your booster and submit your updated record as soon as possible. It is the best way you can support our ongoing efforts to keep our community safe.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

Return to Campus Testing Requirement:

All new and returning students (regardless of vaccination status), residing on or off campus, are required to complete a pre-return test. This requirement includes ALL students who will access campus in person for any reason.
- Pre-return tests must be completed within 5 days prior to returning to or accessing campus.
  - For most students, this means a test completed between January 13th and January 17th.
- Pre-return test results must be uploaded to your Student Health Portal prior to accessing campus.
- FDA approved “at home” tests are permitted in the event you cannot access a pharmacy or other facility for an in-person test.
  - Once completed, write the date the test was taken on the test and print your name below the date.
  - Take a photo of the signed and dated test and upload the photo to your Student Health Portal.
  - At home test kits are available at all major pharmacies, as well as Amazon and other online retailers.

EXEMPTIONS: Students who have reported a positive COVID-19 diagnosis within the past 90-days are exempt from the pre-return test.
- Proof of a positive test result (including your name on the form) must be dated, signed, and submitted to your Student Health Portal.
  - If you do not have documentation of the positive test result – upload your NYS or local Health Department “Isolation Release” (including your name on the form) to your Student Health Portal.
  - If an “at home test” was used and you do not have “release from isolation” documentation, create a short document identifying the date of your positive test, symptoms experienced, and the date you completed isolation. Upload this document to your Student Health Portal.

Weekly Surveillance Testing:

Who is required to participate in weekly surveillance testing?
- Students, whether residing on or off campus, who have not reported fully vaccinated status to the Student Health Portal, will be required to complete routine weekly surveillance testing.
  - WHERE: Ellen Knower Clarke Lounge located in the Strebel Student Center.
  - TIME: Wednesdays between 9AM – 1PM.

The following are exempt from surveillance testing.
- Fully vaccinated persons after uploading this status to their Student Health Portal.
- Persons who have reported a positive COVID-19 diagnosis within the past 90-days (proof of positive required to be uploaded to the Student Health Portal).
- Students, faculty, or staff who do not access campus in person.

What do I need to do if I am not vaccinated and have tested positive for COVID-19 in past 90 days?
- Ensure your positive test result is on file with the Utica College Student Health Center Student Health Portal (see “EXEMPTIONS” under pre-return testing).
- Once filed, in the event of an exposure, persons who have tested positive within the past 90 days will follow the same guidance as fully vaccinated persons until the 90-day period expires.
- Resume surveillance testing once 90-day period has expired.

CONTINUING HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Utica College’s pandemic guidelines align with New York state and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols for higher education.

MASK UP

Masks continue to be required indoors on campus for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. UC will re-evaluate this directive based on the COVID-19 incidence rate on campus and in the greater Mohawk Valley and Central NY areas.

Exceptions:

Private spaces — An individual may remove their face covering when alone in a private room/office.
Housing — In a residence hall room or apartment with your own roommates, students may remove the face covering.
Dining Hall – Masks are not required while inside the Strebel Dining Commons or the Pioneer Café’ but must be replaced immediately upon exiting those spaces.

DAILY HEALTH SCREENING BEFORE CAMPUS ACTIVITY

All Students, Faculty, and Staff must complete the Daily Health Screening each day before starting work on campus.

January 3, 2022

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

Like all of you, we have been closely watching the developments around that latest surge in COVID-19 cases and the progression of the omicron variant. From the volume of phone calls and e-mails my office has received over the past week, I know you are understandably anxious to know what the spring holds.

Let me begin with the question that I suspect is on the minds of most of you. We will begin the semester, in person as scheduled, with classes resuming on Tuesday, January 18.

We are confident in our ability to move forward without delay because of the measures we have in place, including a full vaccination rate of nearly 100 percent. Our goal is to have an identical rate of booster vaccination. We encourage everyone who is eligible and who has not yet received the booster to do so before returning to campus. Boosters have been proven to greatly increase immunological protection against COVID-19, including the omicron variant, and to dramatically reduce the risk of serious illness. What’s more, individuals who are fully vaccinated and boosted are not required by New York State to quarantine if they are deemed a close contact. Should they test positive, vaccinated individuals who are asymptomatic and fever-free for at least 72 hours can return to school and work after five days, per the latest CDC guidelines.

The science makes it clear: vaccines and boosters represent our best path forward toward a fully normal campus experience. I want to extend my gratitude to the many students, faculty, and staff members who have already received the booster vaccination and submitted their updated vaccine record. Thank you for doing your part to keep our campus community safe. For those who are eligible and have not received the booster dose, I strongly encourage you to do so. Our $50 Amazon gift card incentive remains in place for students who receive the booster. Just submit your updated vaccination record to health@utica.edu and the Office of Student Affairs will contact you with information about how to claim your gift card. We have already issued many gift cards, and we look forward to giving out many more in the days and weeks ahead. To make it even easier to receive the booster, we will be holding booster clinics on campus this semester. Please look out for updates soon.

As we plan for the spring, we will continue to proceed thoughtfully and carefully and adhere to the guidance of the CDC and public health experts.

As an appropriate precaution to ensure we begin the semester in the safest position possible, we are requiring every student, regardless of vaccination status, to submit a negative test taken within five days prior to returning to campus. After submitting the negative test and prior to returning, students should be mindful of and take all precautions to prevent exposure to the virus (e.g. masking, social distancing, and diligent hygiene practices). Complete details of this requirement will be provided in an e-mail from the Office of Emergency Management later this week (Be sure to check your email for the message with the subject line Return to Campus Testing Requirement.)
As we did throughout the fall, we will continue regular surveillance testing of symptomatic and unvaccinated individuals during the spring semester.

Of course, because of the ever-changing nature of this pandemic, we will continue to update you as we learn more in the coming days and weeks, and in the event that plans change.

While positive cases seem almost inevitable as we return from the winter break, given the high prevalence and transmissibility of the omicron variant, I hope we can all feel confident in the measures we have and continue to take to make Utica College a safe place to live, learn, and work. As always, I am deeply grateful for your understanding and cooperation during these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

December 17, 2021

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

As the Fall semester draws to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your commitment to keeping our community safe through these uncertain and often frustrating times. While COVID-19 has remained a constant feature in the lives of every American, our cooperative efforts in response to this pandemic have succeeded in preventing any significant outbreaks, and you should be very proud of what we have accomplished together.

I also want to share with you updated numbers on testing results, including active cases. Currently, there are 19 active student cases and four active employee cases. Over the course of the Fall semester, 8,094 tests were submitted, with a total of 129 positive cases among students and 23 employee cases. This equates to a 1.88 percent positivity rate, which is significantly lower than that of the surrounding community. Contact tracing has been performed on all positive cases.

It is important to note that, throughout the semester, absolutely no COVID cases have been traced to potential instances of transmission in academic spaces or dining areas. All positive cases have been traced to residential contacts, both on and off-campus, as well as other close proximity contacts, such as time spent together in vehicles.

Of course, the omicron variant brings more uncertainty. Preliminary data suggest that it is more highly transmissible, though less severe than previous variants. While much is as yet unknown about this emergent COVID strain, we remain hopeful the preliminary data hold true. We will, of course, continue to update our response planning based on current science as well as guidance from all relevant local, state, and federal authorities. We will require return-to-campus testing in January to ensure we begin the Spring semester in the safest position possible. I will share more information on this testing as plans are finalized. Also, to address a common question I’ve received: there are no schedule changes planned for the Spring semester, including Spring break.

Our best defense against this and future variants centers on keeping current with COVID vaccinations. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to get your booster as soon as possible. (Our $50 Amazon gift card incentive is still in effect for those students who provide proof of having received the booster.) We are in the process of planning on-campus booster clinics for the start of the Spring semester.

I feel strongly that we can look forward to the new year with great confidence, tempered by our shared experience as a community over the past twenty-two months. We have met many challenges together, and will continue to do so with the safety of our students, faculty, and staff as our primary consideration.

Thank you again for your efforts this semester. Have a safe and enjoyable break, get some well-deserved rest, and I will look forward to seeing you when we all return to campus in January.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

November 29, 2021

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

I am writing to inform you of important updates to the College’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

The number of confirmed positive cases among the UC community has remained low compared to the infection rates of the local region. For the month of November, prior to departure for Thanksgiving, there were 29 positive student cases and 11 positive employee cases identified. All of these cases have
been resolved. However, over the past 24 hours, multiple members of our campus community have self-reported either positive tests or close contacts with confirmed cases during the break.

As an appropriate precaution in response to these reports, the College is reinstating a mask-wearing requirement in the residence halls, effective immediately. In addition, please be advised that we are working with campus organizations and offices to re-evaluate plans for upcoming events, including the possible implementation of additional health and safety measures as appropriate. Because no two events are the same or represent the same level of risk to the UC or greater community, events scheduled for the remainder of the semester will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

As part of this evaluation, we are asking all groups to review their event safety plans, make any appropriate revisions, and resubmit their plans to Vice President for Emergency Management Shad Crowe by 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Emergency Management will contact group officers to discuss updated protocols as needed in the coming days.

We are taking these measures to ensure the safety of our students, faculty, and staff through the remaining weeks of in-person classes and finals. We will re-evaluate these added restrictions in seven to 10 days when more information from our testing protocols is available.

In closing, I want to take this opportunity to once again encourage everyone who has not done so already to schedule a booster vaccination as soon as you are eligible. All those who received their second vaccination (or their Johnson & Johnson single dose) at least six months ago are eligible now.

Thank you again for your cooperation as we continue to meet these challenges head-on. Working together, I am confident that we will finish this semester safe, healthy, and strong.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

November 5, 2021

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

I have some positive news to share about our efforts as a community to meet the challenges of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

As you know, over the course of the semester I have shared regular updates from our surveillance testing program. I am pleased to say that these results have consistently indicated a very low prevalence of COVID-19 infection on campus. Additionally, our rate of fully vaccinated students and employees, which was 95 percent at the start of the semester, continues to climb closer to our goal of 100 percent, and a number of our employees have received booster doses.

In light of these positive developments, Utica College is updating its protocols on mask-wearing as follows.

Effective today, individuals who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear masks in the residence halls, dining commons, and Pioneer Café.
The indoor mask requirement remains in place, until further notice, for all other areas on campus, including but not limited to all academic and administrative buildings as well as non-dining spaces inside Strebel.
We are designating the lounges in academic buildings and select other spaces as areas where individuals can remove their masks while eating and drinking.

Of course, many individuals will continue to wear a mask throughout campus as a matter of choice and comfort level, and we as a community will fully encourage and support their choice to do so.

To be clear, our confidence in taking this next step toward a fully normal campus experience is due entirely to the success of the health and safety measures we’ve implemented – measures that have allowed us to maintain remarkably low infection rates and effectively mitigate against on-campus transmission. Nevertheless, we recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is an ever-evolving situation. As we cautiously move forward, we will remain vigilant in prioritizing the health and safety of our students, employees, and visitors, actively monitoring the situation on a local, regional, and national
level.

With that in mind, I want to share that our Commencement dates and times have been confirmed for Thursday, May 12 at 5:00 p.m. for the undergraduate ceremony and Friday, May 13 at 4:00 p.m. for the graduate ceremony. And yes, both ceremonies will be held in person with guests in attendance. What’s more, I am confident that between now and next May we can expect that the number and variety of campus events and celebrations will continue to increase.

I strongly believe that we should always celebrate our successes, even – and perhaps especially – in the face of ongoing challenges. Our response to COVID-19 has been a broadly supported community effort from the very beginning. That more than anything else is what has kept us safe and enabled us to maintain a substantial measure of normalcy through some very difficult times.

And so, in closing, I encourage you to take pride in what we have been able to accomplish together, and to stay focused on the future. We have a lot to look forward to.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

October 27, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to provide a brief update on our COVID-19 testing results over the past four weeks.

Of 2,103 test results submitted, 15 positive cases were identified (11 students and four employees), for a total positivity rate of 0.7 percent.
These figures include both tests administered as part of the College’s surveillance testing program as well as results submitted by students and employees who were tested by outside health agencies.
Of the 15 positive cases, 12 cases are resolved and three are active.
Oneida County remains classified as high risk for COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, we are not adjusting our current protocols at this time, but will continue to re-evaluate on a week-to-week basis.

As you are likely aware, the FDA and CDC have authorized booster doses of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for individuals who meet at least one of several eligibility criteria, including “individuals employed in a setting with an increased risk of transmission.” College and university faculty and staff fall into this category, according to CDC guidelines. New York state’s guidelines distinguish between groups who “should” get a booster dose (anyone 65+ or those 50+ with certain underlying conditions) and those who “may” get a third dose (those 18-49 with certain underlying conditions or those at a higher risk of exposure because of occupation). The state is using the same “Am I Eligible” tool (https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/) to schedule booster doses as was used to schedule initial doses, and appointments are now available. Booster
vaccinations are also available at various local pharmacies.

I will continue to regularly update you on the results of our campus testing and other related developments.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

September 27, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to provide a brief update on our COVID-19 testing results for the month of September.

Of 1,795 test results submitted, 13 positive cases were identified (nine students and four employees), for a total positive rate of 0.7 percent.
These figures include both tests administered as part of the College’s surveillance testing program as well as results submitted by students and employees who were tested by outside health agencies.
Eight cases are resolved, and five are active.
Oneida County still remains classified as high risk for COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, we are not adjusting our current protocols at this time, but we will continue to re-evaluate on a week-to-week basis.

I also want to address questions regarding booster shot eligibility. As you are likely aware, the FDA and CDC have authorized booster doses of the Pfizer vaccines for individuals who received the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago and are age 65 and older or 18 and older with an underlying medical condition. Additional eligibility categories include “individuals employed in a setting with an increased risk of transmission,” which according to CDC guidelines includes, but is not limited to, education (e.g. teachers and support staff). New York state’s guidelines distinguish between groups who “should” get a booster dose (anyone 65+ or those 50+ with certain underlying conditions) and those who “may” get a third dose (those 18-49 with certain underlying conditions or those at a higher risk of exposure because of occupation). The state is using the same “Am I Eligible” tool (https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/) to schedule booster doses as was used to schedule initial doses, and appointments are now available.The CDC is currently reviewing data on booster doses for the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines.

I will continue to update you as information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

September 10, 2021

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

Earlier this week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York state has designated COVID-19 an airborne infectious disease. For all practical purposes, this designation does not change Utica College’s management of campus COVID-19 protocols. What the designation does, however, is
trigger the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (HERO Act), enacted in May 2021, which requires all New York employers to review and update its workforce safety plans specifically in accordance with the standards and requirements prescribed under the legislation.

The College’s Airborne Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan is available at www.utica.edu/fully-forward, and a video review of the plan will be made available soon.

I also want to update you on expanded precautionary measures the College is instituting to further reduce the risk of transmission on campus.

The Office of Emergency Management has introduced COVID-19 Operational Guidelines and Protocols for the Fall 2021 Semester. This guide outlines and summarizes the incremental steps the College will take as transmission risk and case rates rise and decline. It can be found at the link above. Our current operational level is Yellow.
ID access to buildings will be suspended for any unvaccinated student or employee who misses required weekly testing. Missed testing is also subject to conduct actions. In addition, student-athletes who miss testing will not be able to participate in any athletics-related activities, including meetings, training, practice, or competition, until the result of the following week’s scheduled test comes back negative.
To reiterate, outside guests are not permitted in the residence halls, until further notice. Campus safety officers will be closely monitoring residence hall access. If the need arises, the College will reinstitute a checkpoint at the campus entrance, and we will communicate this measure to the campus community.

Thank you for your continued efforts and commitment to make our campus community as safe as possible.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

September 6, 2021

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

As we begin the first full week of September, I would like to share with you a summary of our COVID-19 testing results from the past month.

During the period beginning August 11 (the first day of return-to-campus testing coinciding with the return of fall sport student-athletes) through August 31, 432 test results were submitted, including 367 student and 65 employee tests. These figures include both tests administered as part of the College’s surveillance testing program as well as results submitted by students and employees who were tested by outside health agencies.
The test results involve both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
There were five positive cases identified – four students and one employee – for a total positivity rate of roughly 1 percent.
Three of these cases are resolved, and two are pending.

While our low positivity rate is an encouraging sign for our campus community, the broader community of Oneida County still remains classified as high risk for COVID-19 transmission. Therefore, we are not adjusting our current protocols at this time, but we will continue to re-evaluate on a week-to-week basis.

I remain ever grateful for your cooperation and sense of togetherness.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

August 23, 2021

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

Later this week, with great anticipation, we begin a new academic year, the 75th in Utica College’s history. This promises to be an exciting year at Utica, and I encourage you to get involved in the many celebrations and other opportunities that await in the weeks and months ahead.

While there is a lot to look forward to, we of course must continue to respond as a community to the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As I communicated last week, we remain fully committed to returning to a robust campus experience this fall. We are well-positioned to do this, as Utica College remains among the small percentage of colleges and universities requiring full vaccination for everyone on campus as well as performing regular testing.

Crucially, the entire UC community is stepping up to meet this challenge. Our total student vaccination rate is currently 92 percent, reflecting a 94 percent full vaccination rate for residential students and a 95 percent rate for student-athletes. Our vaccination rate for faculty and staff, including auxiliary services employees, is over 98 percent. With the positive news this morning that the first COVID-19 vaccine has received full FDA approval, we are confident these rates will continue to rise.

It goes without saying that for the health and safety of everyone on campus, I would love for our total vaccination rate to be 100 percent, but we recognize that some members of our community have medical or other essential restrictions that preclude them from receiving the vaccine. Notwithstanding this, by nearly every measure, these percentages are nothing short of remarkable.

It is because of our high vaccination rate that we are able to return to campus life with fewer restrictions – an experience more reminiscent of our pre-COVID days. This means that:

classes are fully in-person and at normal capacities;
dining is at full capacity;
physical distancing is not required (with limited exceptions);
residential students are permitted to visit other residence halls;
athletic and other events are open to spectators; and
student organizations are permitted to hold in-person meetings and host events.

That said, it is plain that we have not yet turned the page on COVID-19. And because our return to campus coincides with a resurgence of infections sparked by the delta variant, we remain committed to doing everything in our power to keep the campus community safe and prevent further disruption.

To that end, we are keeping some health and safety protocols in place in full or modified form:

Masking – Until the rate of local transmission has fallen sufficiently, all individuals on campus, including the fully vaccinated, are required to wear masks inside all campus buildings. For fully vaccinated individuals, masking is NOT required when outdoors, in dining areas when seated at tables and eating and drinking, during athletic play or when performing, in residence hall rooms or suites with your roommates, or when alone in a private room or office.

Testing – We will continue to administer surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals in order to monitor and mitigate the risk of campus transmission.

All unvaccinated members of the community will be tested weekly.
Student-athletes who are in season, regardless of vaccination status, will be tested weekly.
Residential students who are fully vaccinated will be tested by residence hall, on a rotational basis, approximately every three to four weeks.

Mask and surveillance testing policies will remain in place at least through the month of September, at which time we will re-evaluate and proceed appropriately based on case numbers on campus, transmission rates in surrounding communities, and guidance from public health authorities.

Notification and Reporting – When a positive test is identified either through diagnostic testing of symptomatic individuals or surveillance testing of asymptomatic individuals, the Office of Emergency Management will contact every individual who is determined through contact tracing to be a close contact as well as the appropriate faculty and staff members.

Consistent with the policies of many other colleges that have required full vaccination of all students and employees, Emergency Management will discontinue sending daily campus-wide notifications of testing results, and later this week we will discontinue the online testing dashboard. I will continue to send periodic updates that will include testing data and other information to keep everyone informed on where we are, and we will immediately notify the campus community if we detect any significant risk of exposure and will resume daily updates as necessary.

Homecoming Weekend – After careful review, we have made the difficult decision not to hold Homecoming as planned on September 24-26. I discussed this decision at length with the Board of Trustees, and though it’s very disappointing – especially at the time of our 75th anniversary – we believe this is the right decision and a necessary step to protect the campus community from undue risk.

We will still welcome visitors to the volleyball, football, and field hockey games scheduled for the weekend. In addition, the performances by illusionist Leon Etienne ’06 and the band Showtime as well as Casino Night will be held as student admission only events. We will be moving the dedication of Bull Hall (ECJS) as well as the ribbon-cuttings for the new Science Center and outdoor turf field and track facility to the spring.

Once again, I remain deeply grateful to the entire Utica College community for your continued understanding and cooperation. Though it sometimes seems far in the distance, there is light at the end of this tunnel. We can – and will – get through this together.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

August 17, 2021

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

As we eagerly look forward to the start of a new academic year, I want to give you a brief update on where we stand with regard to protecting the health and safety of our community.

First, it is important to emphasize that we will be returning to a much more normal campus experience than we have seen in a very long time. This would not have been possible except for the overwhelming commitment shown by our faculty, staff, and students who have taken all necessary steps to keep their fellow Pioneers safe.

Nearly 100 percent of our full-time and part-time faculty, staff, and auxiliary services employees on campus have completed the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. I am extremely grateful for their leadership. And while the verification process is still ongoing for students, particularly with respect to those living out-of-state, to date, 91 percent of registered on-campus students are fully vaccinated. This rate will inevitably increase in the coming days as we continue to receive outstanding vaccination records. (This number also reflects the fact that a small percentage of our community have medical or other essential restrictions that preclude them from receiving the
vaccine.)

This is fantastic news. We know that vaccination offers the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19 in its various forms. The fact that our community has achieved a vaccination rate far in excess of the national average is truly cause for celebration. It is because of this achievement that we can safely relax more of the measures put in place last year.

It also makes us more resilient. We have seen that communities with higher vaccination rates are best positioned to prevent outbreaks and avoid reinstituting restrictions or canceling activities. This is very encouraging, as we look forward to a full schedule of in-person celebrations planned for the start of the semester, highlighted by Convocation and Homecoming Weekend.

Of course, like everyone, we are closely monitoring the developments with the delta variant, both in terms of the health risk it poses and how the resurgence of COVID-19 infections in our region can potentially affect the campus community. To that end, on the recent updated advice of the Oneida County Health Department:

We are requiring all individuals on campus, including the fully vaccinated, to wear masks inside all campus buildings, including residence halls, until transmission rates in the local area have declined sufficiently. (Note that the addition of residence halls is a change from prior guidance.)
Guests in the residence halls will be limited only to residential students. In other words, residential students will be permitted to visit each other in residence halls, however, guests who are not residential students of UC will not be permitted.

We will follow these guidelines for as long as local conditions require us to do so, but with confidence that these are only temporary measures. In addition, members of the UC community who are unvaccinated will be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing as part of our ongoing surveillance and mitigation measures to protect the health and safety of everyone on campus.

Bear in mind, too, that even as we relax restrictions, our classrooms and other common areas will continue to be outfitted with UV-C lighting and other advanced air filtration technologies that have proven effective against COVID-19 as well as other airborne infectious diseases. Combined with our high vaccination rate, these measures allow us to plan for a year with normal classroom activities, fans at our athletic events and theater productions, and more live events, performances, social interactions, and campus-wide celebrations – not to mention the dedications and openings of a new Science Center, Intercultural and Student Organization Center, Athletic Turf Field and Outdoor Track Facility, and several other major improvements, including a new student lounge in White Hall.

It is fair to say that we have all grown accustomed to changing conditions and necessary adjustments over the past year. As always, my office, the Provost, and the Office of Emergency Management will keep you apprised of any changes through regular communications, social media, and via www.utica.edu/fully-forward. That notwithstanding, we have plenty of reason for optimism and a lot to look forward to this Fall, largely because we have come together as a community and met this challenge head-on.

So let’s get ready for a truly great year at UC. I cannot wait to see you all in the weeks ahead.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President

August 6, 2021

Dear Utica College Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

The Oneida County Health Department yesterday issued a public health advisory elevating the risk of COVID-19 community transmission to “substantial.” This unwelcome but not unexpected news offers further evidence of the threat posed by the coronavirus delta variant.

Therefore, in accordance with local public health measures, Utica College is updating its COVID-19 health and safety protocols as follows, effective Monday, August 9. As we have done since the beginning of the pandemic, we will continue to evaluate, reassess, and adjust our policies on a regular basis, and we are prepared to relax restrictions as soon as conditions allow.

Mask Wearing – All students, employees, and visitors, including vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks at all times when inside campus buildings, with these limited exceptions:

Masks are not required in the residence halls.
Masks are not required in the dining areas when seated at a table and eating.
Employees may remove their masks when alone in their personal offices.
There is no outdoor mask requirement.

We will, of course, continue to respect and encourage anyone’s wish to wear a mask beyond the scope of the College’s requirements, in keeping with individuals’ personal comfort levels.

Testing – Unvaccinated students and employees–in other words, those with approved medical and religious exemptions –will be required to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing.Details will be provided in a separate communication to those affected.

Quarantine – Unvaccinated students who are determined through contact tracing to be close contacts or possible exposures to positive cases will be required to quarantine off campus at the student’s expense.

Athletic Participation – Student-athletes, coaches, and athletic support staff will be required to follow the current NCAA guidelines. These guidelines will be carefully reviewed with all team members prior to the start of team activities and enforced by coaches and athletic administration. In addition, use of the Hutton Sports and Recreation Center will be temporarily limited to athletic team members; however, the soon-to-be-completed track and other outdoor spaces will be available to all students for exercise activities, as will the Kunath Fitness Center.

Daily Health Screening – Until further notice, all individuals must continue to submit the daily health screening. Please note that UC ID access is now linked with the daily health screening, and therefore the health screening must be submitted at least five minutes prior to attempting to credential into campus buildings.

I understand that these changes may feel to many like a setback, but I encourage you to keep your spirits up. While we all anxiously await a definitive end to the restrictions and disruptions we have endured over the past year and a half, we can still look forward to a robust, fully in-person, face-to-face campus experience this Fall, with a full schedule of activities and celebrations as well as many opportunities for social interactions.

Experience has taught us that the path forward will not always be easy, and that progress in the midst of a global pandemic is seldom linear. Nevertheless, we have shown the world that we are equal to any challenge when we stand together. As we continue to move forward and navigate the many twists and turns that lay before us, I remain grateful for your vigilance, resilience, and positive outlook in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

Laura M. Casamento, President