New State Policy for Going ‘On Pause’: Enhanced Preventative Measures and Enforcement Remain in Effect

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff:

A short time ago, New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a significant change in policy that will impact our campus community.

The governor announced that colleges and universities testing at least 25 percent of their campus population (students, faculty and staff) will no longer be required to go “on pause,” unless the institution’s total COVID-19 positivity rate exceeds 5 percent within a 14-day reporting window.

Previously, any college or university that recorded 100 positive COVID test results within a 14-day reporting window was required to pause in-person learning and student activities.

This is good news for our community and will better position us to remain on campus, teaching and learning in-person for the duration of the spring semester. However, please do not interpret this positive news as a reason to let down our guard. Additionally, as communicated a short time ago, all restrictions on gatherings remain in place and consequences for violating public health directives and the Stay Safe Pledge will be strictly enforced. We all must remain vigilant, accountable and committed to the public health measures in place to safeguard our community such as:

• Wearing masks
• Limiting gatherings
• Maintaining social distancing
• Monitoring for symptoms
• Testing as required by the Stay Safe Pledge
• Participating in contact tracing with urgency and honestly

Please stay safe, stay healthy and continue doing your part.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Haynie
Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation