We’ve heard this statement over and over again since the pandemic hit. That’s because it’s true.

Light projection at The Performing Arts Center, which is serving as a Covid testing site for facu... Light projection at The Performing Arts Center, which is serving as a Covid testing site for faculty, students, and staff.
In order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, we all need to be responsible for ourselves and our surroundings. That means we protect each other by wearing face coverings (in accordance with current policy) and keeping our work areas clean. And, of course that means washing our hands often.

Faculty and staff might be asked to do things like never before, including wiping down doorknobs or emptying garbage cans. Or maybe to wait awhile for facilities to fix non-emergency issues. Patience and understanding will go a long way.

The Purchase College ethos has always embraced a sense of shared community; we pitch in when there’s a need. As we return to campus, let’s put that ethos into action again as we take steps to keep our community healthy.

Policies and Procedures

  • Surveillance Testing

    Summer 2022:

    Testing for all unvaccinated employees:

    • Tuesdays: 10:30 - 11:30am, Red Room, Student Services Building
    • Thursdays: 10:30 - 11:30am, Red Room, Student Services Building

    Please note: schedules are subject to change on holidays

    Please arrange your schedule accordingly based on the above hours. If you are required to test and absolutely cannot make these testing times, it is your responsibility to notify Human Resources via HRM.covid19.testing@purchase.edu

    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.

    How to Upload Your Vaccination Card

    The Human Resources Employee Tracking System has been updated and employees are 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, but you are subject to selection for random testing. 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.

    Thank you for adhering to our health and safety requirements.

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  • Update to Quarantine and Isolation Policy

    As you may have seen, the CDC has recently updated their policy in terms of the appropriate length of isolation and quarantine, changing the 10-day period to 5 days. On January 14, the New York State Department of Health adopted it as well upon reviewing the evidence the CDC used to inform this recommendation.

    At this point, as cases have significantly dropped, we are updating our policy, effective immediately.

    Isolation is for people who have had a positive COVID-19 test or are experiencing symptoms and are waiting for test results.

    Isolation is the same for everyone regardless of vaccination status.

    As per the Isolation policy:

    Those with symptoms waiting for test results must:

    • Isolate until test result is received.

    Those with no symptoms but a positive test must:

    • Isolate for 5 days, counting day 0 as the day the test was collected. Isolation ends after day 5.
    • Isolate for 10 days if unable to wear a well-fitting surgical, N95, or KN95 mask ondays 6-10.
    • If symptoms develop after testing positive, start 5-day count again, day 0 is the day symptoms started.

    Those with symptoms and a positive test must:

    • Isolate a minimum of 5 days, day 0 is the day symptoms start. Isolation ends after day 5.
    • Isolate until fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication and until other symptoms have improved.
    • Isolate for 10 days if unable to wear a well-fitting surgical, N95, or KN95 mask on days 6-10.
    • Immunocompromised individuals should speak to their physician for additional recommendations.

    As per the quarantine policy for those with known exposure to COVID-19:

    • Regardless of vaccination status, individuals should get tested at least five days after exposure if possible.
    • Anyone ages 12 and older who has received all COVID-19 vaccine doses including boosters if eligible and those who have had COVID within 90 days do not have to quarantine after being designated a close contact of a positive case.
    • Anyone who is not fully vaccinated must quarantine for 5 days.
    • Anyone who is fully vaccinated and eligible for a booster but hasn’t received it yet, must quarantine for 5 days.
    • If symptoms develop, test as soon as possible. If positive, isolate for 5 days from symptom onset or (if no symptoms) from the date that the test was collected.
    • Those who have had COVID-19 within the past 90 days do not need to test unless symptoms develop.

    For further guidance and to report a positive case or contact:

    • Students who test positive should be in touch with Health Services for guidance in terms of their symptoms and the appropriate quarantine or isolation time.
    • Employees should report any positive cases to Human Resources as soon as possible and be in touch with their personal physicians should they have questions about their symptoms.

    Thank you for your cooperation. We believe this policy, which is being adopted widely, will help asymptomatic and recovered students to stay on track while keeping the community safe.

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  • Visitor Policy

    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 wear a face covering while indoors in accordance with campus policies. In addition, campus COVID-19 rules must be adhered to by audiences.

    Definitions

    Visitors are defined as any individual who requires 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.

    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; 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. 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, Admissions 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.

    Updated June 9, 2022

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