November 2, 2020
Dear Students and Families,
I continue to be proud of the extraordinary collective efforts we have undertaken here at SUNY Potsdam to protect our campus and our community this semester. Students, you have been incredible role models for the rest of the SUNY System for your efforts to consistently do the right thing.
Our campus Emergency Response Resource Group (ERRG) remains activated, and continues to monitor the number of cases in the North Country Region and throughout our state and nation as we plan for the weeks and months ahead. We cannot let our guard down now.
As we pivot to looking at the coming months, we have recently received guidance from SUNY System Administration regarding protocols for student departure this fall, and also on requirements for the winter and spring terms. Importantly, every student who plans to go home at Thanksgiving Break for the remainder of the semester must test negative beforehand, as we have a responsibility to ensure the safety of others, not only locally but also beyond.
We would like to invite all students and their families to attend a virtual open forum on either Monday, November 9 at noon, or on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m. We will provide more details about the fall departure and plans for the winter/spring terms. This will also be an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have. Links for sessions will be sent that morning.
Please remember that our final plans for the winter and spring terms must be approved by SUNY System Administration, in consultation with our regional Public Health officials. These plans may be adjusted and modified, depending on the changing conditions of the pandemic and updated health recommendations from the experts. We look forward to sharing all of the latest information with you at our open forums next week.
I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done to help ensure our entire campus community remains safe.
Sincerely,
Kristin G. Esterberg, Ph.D.
President