College to conduct mandatory, periodic surveillance testing of vaccinated students, faculty and staff beginning Sept. 7

SUNY New Paltz will require all vaccinated students, faculty and staff with a campus presence to be tested for COVID-19 every five weeks, beginning Sept. 7.

This periodic testing of vaccinated students, faculty and staff will take place in addition to the ongoing weekly testing of those who have not shown proof of vaccination, which has taken place since the fall 2021 semester began.

The policy for unvaccinated students, faculty and staff remains the same: They must test once a week, every week they are on campus.

This new approach will allow the College to test 100% of our in-person, unvaccinated population and 20% of our in-person, vaccinated population every week.

This surveillance testing helps protect our community by allowing us to identify positive cases – including “breakthrough” cases in vaccinated people who may be less likely to experience symptoms – and implement the contact tracing and isolation protocols that are proven to reduce community spread of the virus.

 

When and how often you need to be tested

Unvaccinated students, faculty and staff should continue testing once per week, every week they are on campus. That includes students with an approved medical or religious exemption.

Vaccinated students and employees with a campus presence will be required to test once every five weeks.

 

Vaccinated faculty and staff will be assigned for testing by bargaining unit.
Click here to view the faculty and staff testing schedule
.

Vaccinated students who live on campus will be assigned for testing by residence hall.
Click here to view the on-campus student testing schedule
.

Vaccinated students who live off campus will be assigned for testing by major.
Click here to view the off-campus student testing schedule
.

Vaccinated student athletes and Educational Opportunity Program members will be assigned for testing separately.
Click here to view the athletics and EOP testing schedule
.

 

Students who fall into more than one of these categories should test according to the following priority: Athletics, EOP, residence status. For example, a student who is a member of EOP, who lives on campus and is also a fall and spring athlete should test along with the FALL athletic schedule.

Please note that the once-every-five-weeks testing requirement is only a minimum requirement. Vaccinated individuals are welcome to be tested as often as they like. Any member of our community who develops COVID-19 symptoms are encouraged to contact their physician or the Student Health Service to arrange a diagnostic test.

 

How to get an on-campus COVID-19 test

The College is providing on-campus PCR testing Monday – Friday through our partners at ENZO Labs.

Testing takes place at Awosting Hall and is available during the following hours:

Monday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

ENZO Labs testing is by appointment only. Appointments must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance. No same-day appointments will be accepted.

We strongly recommend making your appointment well in advance, to guarantee a time when it’s convenient for you to be tested.

You can use this link to sign up for ENZO Labs testing. You must create an account before making an appointment. This only needs to be done once.

After you have registered your account, you can use this link to schedule your appointment.

 

ENZO Labs testing process and results

ENZO Labs uses a short nasal swab. It is a quick, painless test. You may eat, drink, and/or brush your teeth as normal prior to this test.

Results from Enzo Labs testing are generally available within 2-3 business days after testing. We remind our community that this is only an estimate; we are dependent on our partners’ ability to process tests and cannot guarantee exact result times. Results will be uploaded to your COVID-19 profile when available.

 

Off-campus testing fulfills this requirement if results are submitted to the College

Students and employees may elect to be tested off campus rather than participating in on-campus testing.

Those who choose to be tested off campus must submit their test results to the College in order to fulfill SUNY’s testing mandate.

Test results can be uploaded to your COVID-19 profile at my.newpaltz.edu.

 

If you have COVID-19 symptoms

Employees who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated) should contact their physician and arrange a test off campus.

Students (whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated) who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should contact the Student Health Service at 845-257-3400 to arrange a test at the Health Center, at Enzo or an off-campus provider.