COVID-19 Updates and Plans

Based on the SUNY Returning to Campus guidance, the State of New York has directed all public universities to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine pending FDA approval. As announced on August 23, the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has obtained FDA approval.

In turn, we are reaching out to provide some information about when you must be fully vaccinated, if you are not already fully vaccinated, and how to upload your vaccine information.

Any Purchase student who has not yet received at least the first dose of a vaccine must do the following:

If you choose to receive the one-dose, Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine:

• You have until Friday, September 3, 2021 to receive the one-dose vaccination. You must upload proof of this vaccination to Health Services through your Medical Records Portal no later than Monday, September 6, 2021.

If you choose to receive a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna):

• Pfizer: You must receive your first dose no later than Friday, September 3, 2021. You must upload proof of this partial vaccination to Health Services through your Medical Records Portal by Monday, September 6, 2021.
• Moderna: You must receive your first dose no later than Monday, August 30, 2021. You must upload proof of this partial vaccination to Health Services through your Medical Records Portal by Monday, September 6, 2021.
• You have until Monday, September 27, 2021, to receive the second dose. Once your second dose is complete, you must upload proof to Health Services through your Medical Records Portal no later than Friday, October 1, 2021.

Any of the three above vaccines currently available in the U.S. (Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, or Moderna) or any World Health Organization approved vaccine will meet the SUNY/Purchase College vaccination requirement. Purchase College community members can register for a vaccine at any site and are responsible for scheduling their own appointments.

Any Purchase student who has a legitimate and documentable medical or religious reason why they cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine has until Wednesday. September 1, 2021 to submit a vaccine exemption request. These forms can be found on the Health Services webpage. Students whose exemption request is denied will have five days after receiving the exemption denial to receive their first vaccine dose and upload to Health Services through your Medical Records Portal.

Students who fail to meet the SUNY vaccination requirement or have not been approved for an exemption will not be allowed on the Purchase College campus or buildings for any reason and withdrawn from the college.

In addition, students should be aware that the college tuition and refund policy remains in effect for any student who refuses to receive a vaccine and is not approved for an exemption. September 6 is the last day for 100% refund of tuition and fees.

Our community relies on the support of all its members. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation in this important matter. Please feel free to contact Patricia Bice, dean for student affairs, at saf.dean.student.affairs@purchase.edu if you have any questions.

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As we start the fall semester, please read and familiarize yourself with the revised mask policy. This policy will be in place until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to keep our community safe.

All persons on campus are required to:

• Have a face covering available at all times and be considerate of the health concerns of community members.

• Cover the nose and mouth with a face covering when inside campus buildings with the exception of when you are in your assigned residence, alone in your office or while eating / drinking.

• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals must wear a mask and maintain six feet social distancing from those outside their residence in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Face coverings should:

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the face covering both nose and mouth

• Be secured with ties or ear loops

• Include multiple layers of fabric allow for breathing without restriction

Those who are unable to wear face coverings due to a medical or other health condition should consult with the appropriate campus offices (Human Resources for state employees, the Office of Disability Resources for students and designated campus contacts for contractors, volunteers, permitees, and campus visitors) to discuss reasonable accommodations.

Campus contacts for permitees and visitors shall consult with the Continuation of Programs and Services Public Health Committee for guidance by emailing stayhealthy@purchase.edu.

Failure to Comply & Campus Enforcement

Interactions with those failing to comply should be viewed as a public health educational opportunity. We are asking all members of our community to do their part. Persons not wearing a face covering or maintaining social distancing should be asked to comply.

Failure to comply may result in the following actions:

• For students, it may result in a report being filed with the Office of Community Standards. Upon review, the student may receive notice of disciplinary action.

• For employees, it may result in referral to Human Resources for review and resolution in accordance with their collective bargaining agreement, including disciplinary action or up to and including termination. Employees are required to adhere to the above policy requirements in all instances except where doing so would inhibit or otherwise impair the employee’s health. Employees who are unable to wear face coverings due to a medical or other health condition should must consult with the Access and Reasonable Accommodation Officer, Ricardo Espinales, Associate Director of Human Resources at (914) 251-6086 to discuss reasonable accommodations.

• For visitors, permitees, revocable permit holders, and contractors, it may result in removal of authorization to be on campus property and/or termination of the applicable lease/permit/contract.

• In the event of an emergency situation, UPD can be contacted via telephone at (914) 251-6911.

Reporting

• On campus general complaints can be emailed to: stayhealthy@purchase.edu 

• Employee related complaints should be sent to: HRM.Director@purchase.edu 

• Student related complaints can be emailed to: SAF.conduct@purchase.edu 

• In the event of an emergency or crime in progress, call UPD: (914) 251-6911

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Fall 2021 Semester:

Testing for all unvaccinated employees:

• Mondays: 10:00am - 12:30pm, Red Room, Student Services Building
• Tuesdays: 10:00am - 12:30pm, Red Room, Student Services Building
• Wednesdays: 2:00 - 4:30pm, Red Room, Student Services Building
• Thursdays: 2:00 - 4:30pm, Red Room, Student Services Building

Please note: schedules are subject to change on holidays.

All employees must be registered with SUNY Upstate Laboratory to participate in the pooled testing.

If you have not participated in testing you must go to www.suny-covid-test.com to register before coming to the testing site. You will need to enter your demographics and your health insurance information.

Any updates to the testing requirements will be shared via campus broadcast.

Thank you again for your cooperation in helping to provide and maintain a healthy and safe campus environment.

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How to Upload Your Vaccination Card

As previously mentioned in an HR broadcast email sent out on 5/27/2021 (Updated COVID-19 Pool Testing Procedures), HR was working with CTS to create a way to upload vaccination cards into HRETS (Human Resources Employee Tracking System). HRETS has been updated and employees are now able to upload their vaccination cards. Within HRETS, the vaccination card can be uploaded to your Employee Data Sheet (EDS).

To upload your vaccination card, first scan and upload your vaccination card to your computer. If you already provided your vaccine information, you do not need to upload it into HRETS. To access HRETS and the EDS, please follow these steps:

To access HRETS, please visit the Faculty And Staff website:

1. Click on the Personnel and Employment Tab
2. Click the HRETS Link
3. Enter your PC user name and password to access HRETS.

Once you access HRETS:

1. Click on the Employee Datasheet​ link listed under the Personnel ETS Options (bottom left). Your own Employee Datasheet will open.
2. Review all of your personal data listed under each tab to ensure that it’s correct and up-to-date (especially Demographics, Degree and Emergency Information). Please make sure to save your edits.
3. Click the COVID Vaccine Document Tab
4. Click Choose File and upload your vaccination card
5. Please enter a file description
6. Click Save File
   
   

Don’t forget that once you provide proof, you are no longer required to participate in weekly surveillance testing during the summer. You also have the option to bring your vaccination card to the test site or show the Excelsior pass. The Excelsior pass is free to download.

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are required to test weekly. All employees who are not fully vaccinated and report to campus at least once a week are required to participate in testing as they have been.

The Daily COVID Screening is still required to be completed on workdays/obligation days.

Thank you for adhering to our health and safety requirements.

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Read the full update to students and parents and view frequently asked questions.

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All New Yorkers age 12 and older are now eligible for the vaccine. Visit the Vaccine Clinics page to see upcoming vaccination events.

The State of New York has directed that the public universities mandate COVID vaccinations for students, upon the federal government’s full approval of the vaccine.

An important note: all employees, even those who have been vaccinated already or are in the process, must continue to adhere to the public safety measures and all college policies in place.

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Vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
• Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure
• Get tested 3-5 days after the date of your exposure
• Wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result

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View the centralized dashboard that will provide real time, up-to-date information on COVID-19 cases, testing, and quarantine and isolation space availability across SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities to more efficiently monitor, respond to, and contain the virus.

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This policy has been updated to align with the SUNY COVID-19 Vaccination Policy in addition to updated CDC guidance regarding the COVID-19 Delta variant. This policy will be in effect until further notice.

Summary

• Purchase College facilities and buildings are open only for official college business and are not open to the general public.

• Students who are studying remotely will be granted access to campus only if they have submitted proof of vaccination or have an approved exemption on file with Student Health Services.

• Registered Visitors: Individuals who will have significant interaction with the campus community. Registered visitors must be vaccinated or have a negative PCR test for COVID-19 within 72 hours of their visit. Rapid test will not be accepted. Examples of a registered visitor include: lecturers and performers.

• Unregistered Visitors: Individuals who will not have significant interaction with the campus community i.e.: “will not be within six feet of Purchase College community members for a cumulative of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period.” Unregistered visitors will not be required to provide proof of vaccination or negative test. Examples of an unregistered guest include persons who utilize outdoor areas of the campus to jog, bicycle, delivery and repair personnel.

• Town and Gown Event Attendees: Individuals attending performances, athletics, art shows, and other events that draw off-campus audiences will be required to be vaccinated or have a negative PCR test for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to the event for all persons over the age of 12. Rapid test will not be accepted. Campus COVID-19 rules must be adhered to by audiences.

Definitions

Visitors are defined as any individual who requires essential access to campus facilities and is not an employee (faculty or staff), a currently enrolled student, or a campus resident. Employees of certain vendors, contractors, volunteers, tenants, and other groups are considered visitors.

The Campus Host is a college office/department, employee, or registered student organization requiring or inviting a visitor to come on campus.

Remote Student Registration Process and Responsibilities

Remote students are required to submit proof of vaccination or have an approved exemption to come to campus. On the date of the planned visit, remote students must complete the college’s COVID-19 Health Screening Tool located on the student portal or by visiting the link. The health screening mirrors the daily face to face student and employee screening. The tool will instruct students who report experiencing symptoms to contact Student Health Services before coming to campus.

Remote Students must park in the W1 Parking Lot. Remote Students who visit campus will be required to follow health and safety protocols adopted by the college and as required by federal, state, or local regulations. This includes self-monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms before coming on campus and completing the college’s health screening survey; complying with the college’s face-covering policy and social distancing requirements; and regular handwashing and sanitizing while on campus.

Students who have an approved exemption must participate in weekly pooled testing on campus. Please notify Health Services at hse@purchase.edu to submit your proof of vaccination or to be scheduled for pooled testing.

Visitor Registration Process and Responsibilities

Visitors shall be pre-registered by a Campus Host. The Campus Host will be responsible registering the visitor electronically.

The visitor request form can also be found on the faculty and staff landing page on the Purchase College website. Please note: the visitor’s email is necessary to complete this process. The visitor will receive a link to the college’s COVID-19 Health Screening Tool and campus rules. The visitors must complete the Health Screening Tool the morning of their appointment. Proof of vaccinations can be uploaded into the Health Screening Tool. The screening mirrors our daily student and employee screening. Visitors who report experiencing symptoms will be directed to contact their host to reschedule their appointment.

Visitors must park in the W1 Parking Lot and proceed to the CMFT Lobby for check-in. A campus greeter will be available at the lobby from 7:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday to complete the check-in process.

Visitors permitted on campus will be required to follow health and safety protocols adopted by the college and as required by federal, state, or local regulations. This includes self-monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms before coming on campus and completing the college’s health screening survey; complying with the college’s face-covering policy and social distancing requirements; and regular handwashing and sanitizing while on campus. Visitors will receive campus policies electronically following the completion of the health screening survey. Unregistered visitors are also required to follow health and safety protocols adopted by the college and as required by federal, state, or local regulations. In addition, unregistered visitors must adhere to all posted campus directives.

Related Visitor Procedures

Institutions and offices on campus such as Facilities Management, Neuberger Museum of Art, Chartwells, The Performing Arts Center, and Athletics may in some cases operate with slight variations to this procedure due to specific guidance from associations, insurance companies, and contractual obligations.

Residential guest policies are covered under the Purchase College Residential License Agreement.

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Updated September 9, 2021

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