At a glance
The plan has been submitted to the State University of New York (SUNY) for final approval and may adapt and evolve based on current conditions.
With the fall 2020 semester coming to a close, Alfred State is announcing its plan to reopen campus for the spring 2021 semester. The plan has been submitted to the State University of New York (SUNY) for final approval and may adapt and evolve based on current conditions.
The plan, which may be viewed in its entirety at www.AlfredState.edu/covid-19/reopen-plan, addresses repopulation of the campus, personal protective equipment (PPE), monitoring: screening and testing, quarantine and isolation, residential and student life, dining and transportation, facilities, health and wellness, employee support, international and out-of-state students, enrollment and visitors, athletics, compliance, and COVID-19 alert levels.
Alfred State Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Gregory Sammons said, “We have gained much knowledge from our successful fall semester and also the lessons learned across higher education. This increased awareness of best practice has allowed us to further refine our spring plan and puts us in the best possible position to serve our students effectively this spring.”
Under the reopening plan, out-of-state and international students shall return to campus between Jan. 15-17 to allow for 14 days of quarantine before attending any in-person activity. Returning in-state students will arrive Jan. 22-24.
Unlike the fall, students will be required to have a test at the start of the spring semester, as part of SUNY’s spring reopening guidance. Alfred State will share information with students about accessing the test. During the first week of classes, most students will be on campus but learning remotely with the exception of certain curricula. All students will begin in-person instruction on Feb. 1. There will be no spring break, and classes are scheduled to end on May 7.
This spring, Alfred State plans to offer 68 percent of courses in a face-to-face format, 18 percent online, and 14 percent as a hybrid. As a result, ASC students experience substantive and regular interaction.
Other key points of the plan include:
- Requiring face coverings to be worn by all members of the campus community on campus at all times, including in classrooms, conference rooms and other spaces, even when 6-feet social distancing exists. Exceptions include when students are within their private residence or personal space with a family unit, eating meals while seated, or alone. Faculty and staff have exception in their immediate office spaces.
- Resuming testing at a pace consistent with the SUNY Program announced on Sept. 4, 2020. Alfred State uses four testing technologies: wastewater testing, pooled saliva testing, antigen testing, and PCR testing.
- Heightened intensity of cleaning, sanitation, and many operational changes to Alfred State’s facilities.
- The TimberLineZ, 10 Elm, Alfie’s, and Taco Bell eateries having online/mobile ordering to reduce lines. Hours of operation are extended at TimberLineZ to include lunch, and 10 Elm will be open seven days a week to reduce congestion at the Terrace, Alfie’s, and Taco Bell.
As for athletics, Alfred State continues to monitor public health guidance and review emerging guidelines from its athletic conferences and the NCAA in determining how to provide competitive opportunities for student-athletes. The finalization of NCAA recommendations, athletic conference stances, and requirements by the New York State Department of the Health are all culminating as plans evolve to stay aligned with current conditions and recommended procedures.
View the full reopening plan at www.AlfredState.edu/covid-19/reopen-plan.