Dear Students,

Good morning and welcome to the Spring 2021 semester at SUNY Orange.

As we begin yet another uncommon academic term, in what has become an unprecedented year for our College, I want to wish you the best of luck. Many of you will spend this semester once again studying remotely, while a small percentage will have some on-campus, in-person instruction. I know this is not the college experience that you envisioned. Nor is it the setting our faculty and staff would prefer. Yet, we all find ourselves continuing to adapt to the many uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we look forward to that time when we can see each other in person more regularly.

Throughout the past 10 months, I have been most impressed with how you have demonstrated your adaptability, grit, determination, dedication and stamina. You have found ways, in some cases against virtually insurmountable odds, to stick it out and persevere. I congratulate you on your commitment, and I thank you for trusting SUNY Orange to help you reach your goals. Your success, and the confidence you have gained by having already managed the personal and academic adversity of this pandemic, will serve you well in the future.

This semester, it is more important than ever to establish good connections with your professors early in the semester and make it a point to remain engaged in the virtual environment. The College has tutoring and advising systems in place in the Center for Student Success to keep you pointed in the right direction, our Wellness Center can help you stay mentally and physically strong and our Center for Student Involvement is doing its best to provide virtual events to help you connect with classmates in fun ways outside of the classroom.

For those of you participating in in-person, on-campus instruction, we have built a Spring COVID Response Plan that includes guidance from SUNY, New York State and the Orange County Department of Health. Our goals for the Spring remain the same as they were in the Fall: to provide academics with integrity while maintaining a safe teaching and learning environment. I’ve included a few links below to resources that may help all students as we launch the Spring 2021 semester.

In closing, you are here today because your future is important to you, and you know that a college education can be a stepping stone to many future successes. I encourage you to be strong, be bold, be confident and be engaged. Best of luck.

Dr. Kristine Young

Spring COVID Response Plan

What Students Should Know

Pooled Testing Program (for in-person students only)