SUNY Schools Delay In-Person Classes For Spring Semester

NEW YORK — With many parts of the state seeing upticks in the number of new coronavirus infections, the State University of New York system announced a plan that is designed to allow campuses to safely return to in-person instruction for the spring semester.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said Sunday that the start of in-person instruction for the spring semester will be delayed until Feb. 1 and spring break for 2021 will be canceled.

Additionally, all students will be tested for the new coronavirus upon return, and must complete a seven-day precautionary quarantine prior to their arrival on campus.

Mask wearing at all times will be mandatory, even with social distancing.

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Malatras said SUNY schools demonstrated during the fall that by implementing an aggressive strategy to manage COVID, students can safely return to campus.

"With COVID-19 surging nationwide, and with increased cases in New York, SUNY has devised a comprehensive plan to keep this virus at bay throughout the flu season and through the spring semester," he said.

Malatras said the aggressive strategy gives the schools the best chance to return students to classrooms in early 2021.

"But as we know, this is a fluid situation so we will continue to adapt and be flexible as issues emerge," he said.

Students will be sent information in plain language what they can expect in the spring at individual campuses, such as how many courses will be online, hybrid or in person.

Any student who plans to live, work or take classes on campus — or use campus facilities such as the library, gym or dining hall — must test for the virus when they return for the winter and/or spring semester.

They must confirm they have complete a seven-day precautionary quarantine period before returning to campus an then must either present evidence of a negative coronavirus test taken within three days prior to returning, or submit to a campus-administered test upon arrival.

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