August 23, 2021
Dear Students:
This morning, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is now fully authorized for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals aged 16 and older.
As was previously announced, today’s announcement means that the New York State requirement for SUNY and CUNY students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will now go into effect. Following State University of New York policy, all students who are accessing campus facilities must be fully immunized against COVID-19, with limited exceptions.
As of today, more than 80 percent of SUNY Potsdam students are already fully vaccinated, and another 5 percent are partially vaccinated.
Deadlines
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First dose must be completed by September 3 (students can choose either the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine).
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Second dose (if taking Pfizer or Moderna) must be completed by September 27
If you do not receive your full vaccination and provide the requisite documentation by 4 p.m. on Monday, September 27, you will be immediately disenrolled from classes, restricted from entering campus, and will not receive any refunds for housing, meals or tuition. For those seeking a religious or medical exemption, please see the information below.
Campus vaccine clinic
SUNY Potsdam will host a free Pfizer vaccination clinic on campus in time to ensure that all students can comply with this state requirement.
Pfizer Vaccine Clinic
Hosted by St. Lawrence County Public Health & Student Health Services
Friday, September 3
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Barrington Student Union Multipurpose Room
Doses of the Moderna vaccine will also be available for those who may have received a first dose and have not yet completed their vaccine series.
A second clinic will be held to provide the second doses of the vaccine on Friday, September 24.
Other vaccination locations
You can also receive vaccinations at pharmacies and local clinics here near campus, or get your first dose in your area before leaving home. To find locations, search at https://www.vaccines.gov/search/, or text your ZIP code to 438829. Remember, the deadline for completing your first dose is September 3, and both doses (if taking a 2-dose series) must be completed by September 27.
Temporary accommodations & exemption requests
As a reminder, all unvaccinated and partially vaccinated students must complete the Temporary Accommodation Application. Unvaccinated students may also submit a Medical Exemption Form or a Religious Exemption Form if they choose to do so. Medical exemption requests must be signed by a licensed health care provider. Please note that students with an approved measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) exemption will still need to apply for a COVID-19 exemption, if they desire to do so. However, an approved MMR exemption does not guarantee approval for an exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine.
Return-to-campus requirements
All of our other requirements for new and returning students remain the same. Review the Fall 2021 Student Checklist to make sure you have taken care of all of the steps!
All students, including off-campus and commuter students, must schedule appointments to come to campus for initial testing and check-in before the start of classes on Monday.
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Sign-up for Thursday, August 26 (best for new students): https://calendly.com/sunypotsdamreslife/newstudentsf21
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Sign-up for Friday, August 27 to Sunday, August 29 (returning students): https://calendly.com/sunypotsdamreslife/returningstudentcheckinf21
Watertown students have different testing protocols and dates ahead of the semester. Look for messages from Laura Carbone with more information.
Additional requirements going forward
Students who are partially vaccinated or who are approved for a medical or religious exemption will be required to be tested for COVID-19 weekly, to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing at all times indoors, and to be masked outdoors when social distancing is not possible. There will not be an option to study virtually if your classes and activities are in person (as the vast majority are this semester). Reasonable accommodations will be made for any students whose exemption requests are approved.
Find answers to commonly asked questions about the vaccines and more resources at: https://www.suny.edu/knowyourvax/
For more information about our Fall 2021 plans, visit www.potsdam.edu/prepared.
Sincerely,
Eric Duchscherer
Dean of Students
SUNY Potsdam