Dear members of the campus community,
In consultation with the COVID-19 Core Task Force, College Senate and labor relations, the universal indoor mask mandate has been lifted at SUNY Morrisville effective tomorrow, Wednesday, March 2. This decision impacts the Morrisville, Norwich and EOC campuses. Masks will still be required in some settings on campus, such as on MAX Shuttles and at the Student Health Center, so students should carry a mask with them at all times. Individual faculty and staff may also request that students continue to wear masks in their classrooms or offices, and I expect that students will respect and comply with those requests.
SUNY System requires that indoor masking continue to be required of students who are not fully vaccinated, including those who have been granted a medical or religious exemption or those who are now eligible for a booster and have not yet received one. The college will continue to comply with all other SUNY requirements, which presently include surveillance testing for students and employees and weekly testing for all students and employees who are not fully vaccinated.
SUNY Morrisville has followed the guidelines provided by System to remove the mask mandate, which included receiving approval from the Madison County Department of Health. If case numbers rise, we will work with our DOH partners to institute additional precautions and reconsider masking requirements. COVID-19 remains an extremely serious and deadly disease especially for people who are older or immunocompromised. I expect that there will be many students, faculty and staff who will choose to continue wearing a mask and it is my expectation that these individuals will be treated with respect and consideration.
I thank you all for your patience and cooperation this year in keeping our community safe and I join you in celebration that we are able to take this step. I wish you all a healthy and productive continuation of the semester!