updated Jan. 6, 2022

The SUNY Student Vaccine Policy remains in effect for the Spring 2022 semester and continues to require all students to provide evidence of vaccination. Pursuant to the Policy, students are considered fully vaccinated for the initial course of vaccination: two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two dose COVID-19 vaccine series or (2) two weeks after receiving a single dose COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition to the initial course of vaccination, any student with a regular on campus presence (i.e., not fully remote for the semester) who is eligible for a booster shot must receive one for the Spring ’2022 semester. Proof must be provided by each student by the later of (1) one month from the effective date of this guidance or (2) one month from the date such student became eligible to receive a booster. Campuses may set an earlier deadline.

You become eligible for a booster five months after your second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine regimen (Moderna or Pfizer) or two months after receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All eligible SUNY Orange students must submit their booster information to the Wellness Center no later than Monday, Jan. 31 (students may upload booster information here). Students who become eligible on Feb. 1 or later must submit proof of a booster shot within one month (31 days) of becoming eligible.

Those SUNY Orange students registered for in-person, on-campus classes who have been granted exemptions from the SUNY vaccine mandate must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the five days prior to arriving on a campus at the start of their semester/term. Test results must be provided to the Wellness Center and can be uploaded at this link.

updated Jan. 20, 2022

ALL students and employees who will be coming to campus during the Spring semester, regardless of vaccination or exemption status, will asked to participate in baseline surveillance testing during the week of Jan. 24.

The baseline data we establish during that week of testing will help guide future decision making, specifically in the event that we see a rise in community spread of the virus or sharp increases in asymptomatic positive cases within our College or local communities. Additional baseline testing may occur during the semester should conditions warrant.

If you have had a positive PCR test, you should not participate in surveillance testing for 90 days from the date of your positive test.

• Employees can submit PCR test results via the "Employees: Submit Proof of COVID-19 Testing Here" link on your home tab in MySUNYOrange.
• Students can submit PCR test results online.

Additionally, if you are feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and consult with your medical provider.

Surveillance testing for the week of Jan. 24-28 is as follows:

• Newburgh campus: Monday (Jan. 24) and Thursday, (Jan. 27), 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Kaplan Hall Great Room)
• Middletown campus: Tuesday (Jan. 25), Wednesday, (Jan. 26) and Friday (Jan. 28), 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Shepard Student Center Lower Level)

You may utilize the most convenient testing location. For those who will be taking part in testing for the first time this semester, you must create a COVID-19 Surveillance Account and complete your profile at least two days before testing (http://clarifi-covid-19.com/). Employees will need to use their assigned “A” number as part of the enrollment process (directions for locating your “A” number are available on the COVID-19 portlet on the Employee tab within MySUNYOrange). You also must bring a photo ID with you when you participate in surveillance testing.

Those students and employees new to the surveillance testing process can also watch this short swabbing technique video prior to arriving for your first visit.

updated Jan. 20, 2022

Updated SUNY guidance requires campuses implement a regular surveillance testing program of all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. Each person with a regular physical presence on campus should be tested on a regular basis as determined by each campus by using an appropriate sampling methodology. Campuses may implement an exemption process for those who have received a booster. Changes to the testing schedule listed below will be forthcoming.

Weekly COVID-19 testing is required for unvaccinated in-person students and employees, as well as those who have not provided proof of vaccination. Opportunities for unvaccinated in-person students (those granted exemptions to the SUNY vaccine mandate) and employees to test will be made available on both the Middletown and Newburgh campuses. Employees and students not participating in weekly testing or providing evidence of an acceptable negative test result performed elsewhere will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Students taking in-person, on-campus classes who fail to appear for weekly testing and who do not provide evidence of an acceptable negative test result performed elsewhere will be considered in violation of the Student Code of Conduct and subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension from classes.

Throughout the remainder of the Spring 2022 semester, the weekly pooled testing schedule (effective Monday, Jan. 31 and continuing through the end of the semester) is as follows:

• Newburgh campus (Kaplan Hall Room 111): Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Middletown campus (Orange Hall Room 25): Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You may utilize the most convenient testing location, but you must test every week in which you will be accessing a campus. Students and employees who have tests conducted off-campus can submit both positive and negative results via an online COVID testing documentation form.

For those who will be taking part in testing for the first time this semester, you must create a COVID-19 Surveillance Account and complete your profile at least two days before testing (http://clarifi-covid-19.com/). You will also need to bring a photo ID with you when you arrive for testing.

Those students and employees new to the surveillance testing process can also watch this short swabbing technique video prior to arriving for your first visit.

Those unvaccinated members of the College community who have had a positive PCR test should not participate in surveillance testing for 90 days from the date of their positive test. Upon conclusion of the 90 days, you should begin participating in regular surveillance testing.

• Employees can submit PCR test results via the "Employees: Submit Proof of COVID-19 Testing Here" link on your home tab in MySUNYOrange.
• Students can submit PCR test results online.

Additionally, if you are feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and consult with your medical provider.

updated Jan. 10, 2022

Any student, faculty, or staff testing positive for COVID-19 must isolate in accordance with Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) guidelines (updated as of Jan. 10, 2022). This includes the following:

1. If you are asymptomatic or symptoms are resolving, isolation may end after completing 5 full days (where day 0 is the day of symptom onset or [if asymptomatic] the day of collection of the first positive specimen), but must wear a well fitted mask for an additional 5 days around others
2. People who are moderately or severely ill or immunocompromised should isolate for a full 10 days
3. Anyone who cannot or will not wear a mask should isolate for 10 days
4. Due to the overwhelming number of positive cases, you will likely not receive a phone call for investigation and therefore will not receive a personalized isolation clearance letter. Orange County Department of Health will no longer generate personalized clearance letters. Standing isolation orders are provided below.

 In the event you were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, OCDOH recommends you follow these guidelines for isolation and quarantine.

Below are some additioanl OCDOH resources for those who test positive for COVID-19.

• Tested Positive for COVID-19
• Close contact with Someone Who is Positive
• "When Your Are Sick"  Fact Sheet

All students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 are required to submit an online health clearance form before they can return to either campus. Students can submit an online health clearance form directly to the Wellness Center. Employees submit their form to the Human Resources Office (occchr@sunyorange.edu).

Online and remote learning support and resources will be communicated to students via video, live Zoom sessions, and through a Student Success Toolkit in the Blackboard Learning Management System, in which all students are enrolled. 

In the event that a student must be quarantined, student supports will be accessible and delivered remotely. College services and offices will be accessible to quarantined students by phone, email and via live Zoom calls. All student services, academic support, library services, tutoring, technology support, accessibility services, wellness support, business office functions, and financial aid services will be accessible remotely to students under quarantine.

SUNY Orange will continue to report testing results to the SUNY Health Portal.

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to perform daily self-health screenings for infectious illnesses, including COVID-19.  Anyone with signs or symptoms of infectious illness should stay home when sick and/or seek medical care. The College recommends using the CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker available online.

As mandated by the State University of New York (SUNY), vaccines are required for students to participate in in-person, on-campus credit or non-credit classes for the Spring 2022 semester. Proof of having received the full vaccination series (2 doses of a two-dose vaccine or the lone dose of a one-dose regimen) is required two weeks prior for any student coming to a SUNY campus for any reason. Proof of vaccination or submission of an exemption request for the Spring 2022 semester must be received no later than Thursday, Jan. 6.  The CDC strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for anyone 18 or older (no sooner than six months after completing a two-dose vaccine regimen, and no sooner than two months after a one-dose vaccine regimen).

updated Jan. 4, 2022

COVID-19 vaccination, including vaccine booster, is required for all students enrolled in health professions programs (Dental Hygiene, Medical Laboratory Technology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Phlebotomy, Physical Therapist Assistant and Radiologic Technology) whose academic progress depends on clinical placement.

Clinical partner agencies and other external organizations may have COVID-19 vaccination requirements that differ from SUNY Orange’s vaccine policies.  This is a clinical agency policy and is beyond the College’s control.  SUNY Orange is bound by SUNY policy, which does allow students to be part of our programs and on-campus with a vaccine exemption.

Each clinical partner agency sets its own requirements for students. At this time, all major clinical partner agencies and external organizations with whom the College has clinical agreements have required students to obtain a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine.  The exceptions granted by SUNY do not apply to the clinical partner agencies.

Students who choose not to comply with the clinical partner agency COVID-19 vaccination requirement may face serious delays toward degree completion. Because of the complexities of arranging clinical placements and the likely increase in clinical sites that require COVID-19 vaccination, College staff may not be able to rearrange clinical placements for students who refuse or are unable to meet a clinical agency’s vaccination requirement.  Failure to meet clinical education outcomes will hinder students' ability to complete their degree program.

Successful completion of clinical-based learning is a requirement of all our health professions programs, mandated by accreditation and/or state or national certification or licensure boards.  Maintaining the integrity of the programs we offer and having our students graduate from accredited programs provides them with the greatest opportunity for gainful employment and success.  This is of vital importance to SUNY Orange and to our community.

Please contact the Department Chair of your Health Professions Program if you have any questions.

The State of New York and the SUNY System Administration have developed an online vaccination tracking system (go to: https://suny.edu/StudentVaccinationPass/). New students, or newly vaccinated students, will be required to upload vaccination information to this system or provide the information to the Wellness Center. Students vaccinated outside the State of New York will be required to submit appropriate documentation to the College.

• If you received your COVID vaccine in New York State, go to the Student Vaccine Pass website, select Orange County Community College, and insert your personal information exactly as it was provided on the CDC Vaccination Forms at the time you received your vaccine.
• or upload your vaccination card to the Wellness Center.

updated April 29, 2022

Based upon updated COVID statistics provided to the College late this week by the Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH), the College’s Emergency Management Team has extended the SUNY Orange indoor mask mandate at least through the close of business on Friday, May 13.

All individuals utilizing SUNY Orange campuses will be expected to continue masking up indoors, regardless of vaccination status, until further notice. A decision on indoor masking for the week of May 16 and beyond will be announced at a later date.

Statistics related to positive cases, transmission rates and hospitalizations in Orange County continue to trend higher. We are also seeing consistent increases in positive cases being reported within our College community.

During the Spring 2022 semester, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must mask up upon entering any campus building and remain masked, unless eating or drinking, in all common areas, including classrooms, lounges, hallways, etc.

Vaccinated individuals may be unmasked on the external grounds of the campuses (outside of campus buildings, in parking lots, etc.), but must maintain safe social distancing at all times during all on-campus activities, both inside and outside. Special attention to social distancing is expected while eating or drinking. Unvaccinated visitors will be expected to wear masks at all times, whether indoors or outdoors.

Faculty and staff are permitted to remove masks when alone inside of private offices or restricted area workspaces such as cubicles. Employees are required to mask up as soon as another individual enters the immediate area and to maintain social distancing.

Pursuant to the CDC, “A person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.)” may submit a request to the College for consideration of an exemption from mask wearing based on a medical accommodation, regardless of vaccination status. Employee requests for accommodations should be submitted to the Human Resources office (occchr@sunyorange.edu) while student requests should be submitted to the Office of Accessibility Services (accessibilityservices@sunyorange.edu).

Additional requirements may be imposed by the College or SUNY System Administration based upon the increasing COVID-19 transmission rates on a campus.

Modalities for individual Spring 2022 courses can be found in the “Search Courses” section of Self Service Banner, accessible via the College website and within MySUNYOrange. The College will offer instruction in the following course formats:

• Virtual Campus (V): Fully remote/online learning with asynchronous instruction (on your own time). There are no designated days/times for real time instruction. Please note, to participate in the class, students may need to use a device with a microphone and camera.
• Remote Synchronous (RS): Remote/online learning with real time instruction at the designated day/time indicated on the schedule. Please note, to participate in the class, students will need to use a device with a microphone and camera.
• Blended (BL): Remote/online learning that integrates some synchronous (real time) instruction at the designated days/times indicated on the schedule and some asynchronous instruction (on your own time). Please note, to participate in the class, students will need to use a device with a microphone and camera.
• Middletown Campus (M): Plan to attend class at the Middletown campus at the designated days and times. Some remote/online instruction may be required during the scheduled days and times on the schedule.
• Newburgh Campus (N): Plan to attend class at the Newburgh campus at the designated days and times. Some remote/online instruction may be required during scheduled days and times on the schedule.

SUNY Orange’s Spring 2022 Semester is posted online.

Students in concurrent enrollment programs must follow the health and safety guidelines and protocols of the location at which they receive instruction. If the course is delivered at their high school, they must follow the local school district guidelines. If a student takes a course on a SUNY Orange campus, they must follow the guidelines set forth in this plan (as well as updates and amendments to the plan communicated as situations change). Dual-enrolled high school students will be subject to vaccine and testing requirements as designated by New York State and local health departments, as well as guidelines provided by local school districts. However, dual-enrolled high school students who wish to access library or other available services on a SUNY Orange campus must show proof of vaccination (even if vaccination is not required by the student’s high school).

College spaces scheduled for use during the Spring 2022 semester will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected (instructional spaces, labs, restrooms, hallways, handrails, doorknobs, light switches, stairwells, etc.) prior to the start of the semester.

Once the Spring semester begins, cleaning and disinfection schedules will follow CDC guidelines. Classrooms and common spaces will be cleaned once per day with high-touch areas being done more frequently. Custodial staff will be available to address un-scheduled clean-up situations that may arise. Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes will be available in all classrooms.

In accordance with SUNY guidance, SUNY Orange has increased outdoor airflow and ventilation rates in indoor settings to the extent compatible with individual comfort and safety. All building systems have been improved and interior rooms have been outfitted with additional filtration systems.

SUNY Orange will follow CDC, State DOH, and local health department recommendations regarding the use of personal protective equipment. See section “Guidance on Mask Compliance” above. Distribution of PPE, as needed, will be through a work order process specifically for this purpose. PPE will also be available via the Safety and Security Offices (for ad-hoc pickup by students and employees as needed) and can also be found in mask-dispensing stands stationed in buildings across both campuses. The College delivery van will also maintain a stockpile of PPE for response to emergent needs as it makes its rounds on campus).

The College maintains an inventory of soap, hand sanitizer, paper towels, disinfecting wipes, masks, gloves, aprons, face shields, and other commonly used PPE.

updated April 12. 2022

Visitors will be permitted on campus for a specific purpose, for a set period of time, and must adhere to the College’s Spring COVID Response Plan. Indoor mask wearing is encouraged for individuals who are immunocompromised or not yet fully vaccinated and boosted

Visitors are broadly defined as individuals who are not employees, credit students, or non-credit students of the College. In Spring 2022, approved activities of the College will remain those activities that have a defined sponsor and that are clearly fixed in time and space. Examples include but are certainly not limited to: Cultural Affairs public events, admissions and financial aid sessions or appointments, campus tours for prospective students, and external group reservations of a meeting space if sponsored by a specific employee/department. Attendance at indoor events where visitors are welcomed will be capped at a suitable number so as to allow for safe social distancing.

All other campus visits will be by appointment/registration to facilitate contact tracing should this become necessary. Employees may also welcome individual visitors to campus to conduct business, such as vendors, professional colleagues, speakers, and similar. All visitors must comply with masking, social distancing, and other campus health and safety protocols.

Indoor visitors to our campuses without a reservation, corresponding event, or sponsoring employee/department cannot be accommodated during the Spring semester. Access to campus libraries, micro-markets and associated dining areas, lounges and public areas shall be accessible only to current SUNY Orange students and employees.

Examples of activities not approved for visitors include, but are not limited to: public library use, use of micro-markets and associated dining areas, use of computer kiosks, use of waiting areas. Outdoor visitors without a clearly defined activity (walkers, those reading on benches, those waiting for a friend, etc.) are welcome.  

Each college has identified a Campus Safety Monitor who serves as that institution’s liaison with SUNY. The CSM will have the responsibility of coordinating the ongoing campus compliance with all COVID-19 related guidance. SUNY Orange’s Campus Safety Monitor is Paul Martland, vice president for administration and finance.

All travelers, domestic and international, should continue to follow all CDC travel requirements. As applicable, SUNY Orange will adhere to travel restrictions that may be posted by the CDC or New York State.

The College will operate its shuttle bus service between the Newburgh and Middletown campuses during the Spring semester. The schedule, once determined, will be posted to the College website. In accordance with New York State guidelines for public transportation, riders must wear face coverings throughout their entire journey.

The Wellness Center is open to all students, free of charge, offering wellness and mental health services. Its programs are designed to promote health education and wellness for our campus community.

The Wellness Center will follow and monitor the guidance of the American College Health Association, CDC, the New York State Department of Health, SUNY, and the Orange County Department of Health. The Wellness Center will provide multiple means of educating the College community on how to stay safe and on evolving guidance related to infection control procedures.

Students and employees are also encouraged to utilize community-based mental health resources and QPR suicide prevention training through links provided on the Wellness Center website.

The College has established a COVID-19 webpage, accessible from an alert message on all pages of the College website, which houses timely information and resources for employees, students and community members. Essential messages from the College will also be distributed internally to employees and students via @sunyorange.edu email accounts, as well as in two internal email newsletters (Campus Grapevine for employees and Student Grapevine for students) that are shared via email each Tuesday and Thursday morning. Content from the two Grapevine newsletters is also available on the College website.

As appropriate, updated content will also be posted on the College’s social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), for widest dissemination, and also circulated to local and regional media outlets in the form of press releases and announcements (as needed). COVID-specific videos (from sources such as the CDC and other health organizations) will be placed within the MySUNYOrange portal, as appropriate, for additional outreach to students and employees regarding healthy practices and proper social distancing techniques.

SUNY System Administration retains the authority to pause campus activities in cases of increased community transmission. SUNY Orange will rely upon its relationship with OCDOH to determine if a pause is prudent based on local conditions.