We are excited to have you return to SUNY Potsdam for the start of the 2021-22 academic year. This email details the steps that you need to take in order to safely return for the start of the semester. Please note that this process is intended for those students who attend class on SUNY Potsdam's main campus. If you attend SUNY Potsdam's Watertown Extension Site programs, you will receive separate instructions.
We encourage all students to visit Potsdam Prepared page for more detailed information. While these are our current plans for a safe return for the Fall 2021 semester, the ongoing health pandemic and updated guidance from New York State/SUNY may result in changes.
Here’s what you need to do to return for Fall 2021:
- Schedule an appointment to be tested upon your arrival. This is being required of all students (regardless of vaccination status) upon arrival, in order to be able to identify and contain COVID-19 as best as we can. New students (first year or transfer) should plan to move in by 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 26 so that you are able to fully participate in Orientation. Students who studied remotely last year, and who have not yet lived on campus, are encouraged to arrive on Thursday, August 26 or Friday, August 27, to become acquainted with campus prior to the start of classes. Returning students, off-campus residents, and/or commuting students will be asked to come to campus from Friday, August 27, to Sunday, August 29. Testing will occur in the Barrington Student Union.
Please follow the links below to schedule your appointment to come to campus. This must be done by Friday, August 20.
Sign-up for Thursday, 8/26: https://calendly.com/sunypotsdamreslife/newstudentsf21
Sign-up for Friday, 8/27 - Sunday, 8/29: https://calendly.com/sunypotsdamreslife/returningstudentcheckinf21
- Download the event pass through GetInvolved, our campus events platform. This is how we track student testing completion each week. You’ll also need this for any events that you attend on campus, so make sure to save it! This quick video shows you how to download your event pass.
- Pre-register your account with Upstate Medical University for your COVID-19 test or, if you were on campus last semester, log into your account to make sure that you remember your password. Please note the following as you register:
- You will need your health insurance information to complete the registration. If you do not have health insurance, you will be able to note that and you will not be charged.
- Make sure that you register using your legal name, exactly as it is shown on your health insurance card.
- Remember your password! You will need to log in to the system every time you are tested.
- If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, schedule a diagnostic PCR test for 3-5 days prior to your appointment date (see chart on the Potsdam Prepared). You will be asked to provide proof of a negative PCR test for COVID (in addition to being tested upon arrival following the steps listed here) when you arrive to campus, so make sure you bring this with you.
- If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, complete the Temporary Accommodation Application for COVID -19 before arriving to Potsdam. Separately, you may also submit a Medical Exemption Form or a Religious Exemption Form. Even if you have submitted an exemption request, you should complete the Temporary Accommodation Application as well.
- On the day of your test, you must refrain from the following:
- Do not brush your teeth or use mouthwash within 3 hours of taking the test
- Do not eat anything (including gum, cough drops, etc.), drink anything, nor smoke/vape/use smokeless tobacco products, within 30 minutes of taking the test.
- If you are living on campus, you will get your keys to your room as soon as you complete your COVID-19 test. Please note that only 2 guests may enter the residence hall building with you, moving bins will not be provided, and all guests must wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Please visit Potsdam Prepared for more details.
- Remember your mask. SUNY Potsdam plans to require face coverings indoors for all students and employees to start the semester. We will evaluate this measure after two weeks, based on the rates of infection on campus and in the surrounding community.
We are so excited to be able to safely phase back to in-person instruction for the vast majority of our courses heading into the next academic year. In order to have a successful semester, we must continue to stay focused on taking care of one another. The Bear COVID-19 Pledge is being amended to reflect the current expectations on campus. All members of the community will be expected to adhere to the expectations and continue the great work that allowed us to successfully navigate last year.
Sincerely,
Eric Duchscherer
Interim Dean of Students
SUNY Potsdam