Dear ,
The last few days have seen many shifts in state and national guidance regarding mask-wearing at this stage in the pandemic.
After significant discussion and review of several pieces of guidance and resources, the indoor mask mandate at SUNY Oneonta will remain in effect through the week after our spring break. When we return from break, we will increase surveillance testing and if cases remain within an acceptable level and the impact remains limited, then our mask requirement will be lifted on Saturday, March 26.
We understand that some will be disappointed that we are not lifting the mandate immediately and others will be concerned that we are not keeping the mandate longer. The college has kept the following complex details, issues and factors in mind while making this decision:
- We have experienced recurring patterns related to the incidence of new cases on campus:
- Whenever in-person classes resume after a break, we see a temporary increase in cases.
- When COVID restrictions in the general population are loosened, we also see a small increase in cases.
- The levels of COVID in the state, county and on campus continue to remain low and, more importantly, the impact of the small number of cases within our campus community in terms of hospitalizations and health center visits is also low.
- Our college is made up of a diverse group of individuals, all with differing lived experiences related to the pandemic, different life circumstances and different perceptions about COVID. The institution must balance the science behind transmission and the science behind human behavior in order to protect the physical, mental and social well-being of the campus population as a whole.
- Even after the mandate is lifted, we will strongly encourage the use of masks, and we will continue with surveillance testing, symptomatic testing and wastewater monitoring.
As a community we must all support each other. Together we have shown how a continued commitment to commonality and one another’s health and safety can benefit our on-campus experiences. We ask that everyone act with kindness and patience over the next few weeks and continue to abide by the indoor mask mandate until otherwise instructed so that we can finish the semester safely and very close to normal.
Sincerely,
Julie Piscitello, CRT Co-Chair & Vice President for Finance and Administration
Richard Lee, CRT Co-Chair & Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Bernadette Tiapo, CRT Co-Chair & Interim Vice President for Student Development
Alberto J.F. Cardelle, President
