August 18, 2020
As we begin to see the first college students and their families arrive, this is the start to a fall semester unlike any other in Potsdam.
You may notice that instead of a couple very busy move-in weekends at the colleges, the arrival of students has been spread out over the course of several weeks at Clarkson University and SUNY Potsdam, to further transition ensure proper social distancing and give students coming in from states with domestic travel advisories time to meet the New York State requirements. All students returning to both campuses are being tested for COVID-19.
You will also notice less traffic and fewer students in the village this semester, as all students were given the option to study virtually from their homes if they so choose, due to the pandemic. Unlike most semesters, the Clarkson and SUNY Potsdam campuses will be much quieter this fall, because community access to the campuses will be reduced, with the cancellation of the fall athletics seasons and with most other public events, such as concerts, being moved online.
Besides all this, all returning students are being asked to adhere to important public health guidelines, in order to protect our campuses and community. We need the community’s help to set a good example for our students, and to let us know when there may be violations that should be addressed. All students are expected to wear masks when visiting local businesses and whenever they may come within six feet of others not in their ‘famiy unit’ where they live. Restrictions on events and gatherings must be respected —just as they would for any resident in our community. Students are expected to track their symptoms daily, and participate fully in the contact tracing process as needed. They are also expected to follow all guidelines if required to complete either quarantine or isolation periods.
If you have concerns that any of these expectations are not being respected, we ask for your help in letting the colleges know quickly. Violations can be referred through both universities’ student conduct systems. You may send detailed messages with any concerns to either community@clarkson.edu or community@potsdam.edu (or to both, if you are not sure which campus a student attends). You may also contact the Potsdam Police Department if you would like to report a gathering that you believe may violate restrictions, by calling (315) 265-2121.
Even as we ask for your help in ensuring compliance with these important public health measures, we also ask for you to model considerate behavior, and help us welcome our students to Potsdam. Thank you for doing your part to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Mark Murray, Chief of Police, Potsdam Police Department
Timothy Ashley II, University Police Chief, SUNY Potsdam
David Delisle, Director of Campus Safety & Security, Clarkson University
Nicole Feml (Conant), Chief of Staff, SUNY Potsdam
Kelly Chezum, Vice President for External Relations, Clarkson University