Coronavirus Information

College-Wide Communications

View the full list of College-Wide Communications

• Statement from President Macpherson: Mandatory Housing Check Out (March 20, 2020)
• Statement from President Macpherson: COVID-19 March 18 Update (March 18, 2020)
• Video Statement from President Macpherson: Thank you, Golden Eagles (March 17, 2020)
• Statement from President Macpherson: Room and Board Credit/Refund (March 17, 2020)
• Statement from President Macpherson: Revised Guidance for Essential & Non-Essential State Employees (March 17, 2020)
• Statement from President Macpherson: Guidance for Essential & Non-Essential State Employees (March 16, 2020)
• Statement from President Macpherson: SUNY Implements Distance Learning (March 11, 2020)
• Statement from President Macpherson: Coronavirus FAQs Updated (March 11, 2020)
• Statement from President Macpherson: Welcoming Students to Gordon Hall (March 9, 2020)
• Statement from President Macpherson: Confirmation of Hosting Study Abroad Students (March 7, 2020)
• Statement from President Macpherson: Update on COVID-19 (March 6, 2020)

Distance Learning FAQs

• What are SUNY Brockport's plans for after spring break?
  Following spring break, face-to-face classes will transition to alternative delivery formats wherever possible for the remainder of the spring semester. Should students have with concerns about meeting course expectations due to technological or other considerations, they should contact their instructor about making other appropriate arrangements. A limited amount of technology is available for students who live more than 30 miles away form campus to take home. Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and WiFi during the coronavirus outbreak. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395.
• *NEW* Why was spring break not extended for an additional week like other campuses?
  With Summer Session classes scheduled to start May 18, extending spring break by an additional week would result in compressing the remaining instructional time this spring even further. Additionally, with the change already made to moving instruction online for the remainder of the spring semester, we felt that extending break was not in the best interests of our students and faculty. The Chancellor’s message from March 19 was sent to all 64 SUNY campuses, which have different schedules.
• Why is SUNY Brockport taking these actions?
  These actions are being taken at the direction of Governor Cuomo to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. His overall goal is to reduce campus density by eliminating large gatherings.
• *NEW* Can all spring 2020 classes move to a pass/fail standard?

  While some campuses across the country are offering students pass/fail options independent of present guidelines, SUNY Brockport is maintaining existing grading policies. This is to support students who need specific grade point averages for their major, accreditation, overall GPA, and/or programs. There are also potential financial aid concerns related to changing to pass/fail only, which further complicate the issue. See our existing policy on satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades.

• *UPDATED* Is Commencement cancelled?
  Sadly, May Commencement ceremonies have been postponed. President Macpherson has tasked a small group with the task of re-imagining our 2020 Commencement ceremonies so that our graduates can be recognized properly at some point in the future. More details will be forthcoming as we make these plans.
• *UPDATED AS OF 3/20* Can I continue to live on campus?

  We are facing unprecedented times. As our nation and state try to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we are tasked as an institution to support these efforts. 

  As such, we have made the difficult decision to close the residence halls and student townhomes, effective immediately.

  There are very few exceptions to this decision: students already on campus who are from other countries, who may be facing homelessness, or those who have no access to technology.

  You may make arrangements to check out between now and Friday, March 27, by emailing your Resident Director. Your RD will coordinate your departure time so that social distancing can be implemented during the check-out process.

• *NEW* What do I do with my Textbook Rental from the Bookstore?

  Please be aware that you are welcome to keep using your rental through the end of the semester even with the campus shifting to online instruction.

  For the time being, the only way to return the rentals is to mail it back to the Bookstore as the store is closed to the public until further notice. You can access a prepaid return label using the following steps:

  • Visit the bookstore website and scroll all the way to the bottom of the homepage. You will need to click the link that says Textbook Rentals.
  • From the next screen, select the Rental Return link.
  • Next, you will need to enter your Order ID# and the e-mail address associated with the rental and click submit.
  • Fill out your ship from address and click submit and a prepaid label will be created for you to ship the book back free of charge from UPS.

  Email sm763@bncollege.comwith any questions.

• *UPDATED* Are dining halls open?

  Dining services are available but limited. Only carry-out options will be offered.

  During the week of March 22 - 28, only Brockway Dining Hall will be open:
  Lunch: 11 am - 12:30 pm
  DInner: 5 - 6:30 pm

• Is the SERC open?
  No. Following Governor Cuomo's recommendation, both the fitness center and the field house are closed until further notice.
• *UPDATED* What about Brockport Downtown?

  Brockport Downtown classes will also transition to alternative formats and will operate under new hours beginning March 23:

  Monday - Friday: 7 am - 3 pm

  • All faculty and staff must be working from home at this point.

  • Students will not be able to access the facility.

  • Security will be on-site from 7am-3pm in the event faculty and staff need to access the facility (only to come in, retrieve something, and then return home).You will not be permitted to work in the building. If anyone needs to access the building, they must first contact the security guard on site by phone at 585.327.4064

• *UPDATED* Are all campus events cancelled?
  All in-person, non-essential events and programs are postponed until further notice. All events hosted by an outside organization on the SUNY Brockport campus between now and June 1 are cancelled or postponed. 
• Are meetings still taking place on-campus?

  In-person meetings should be moved to a virtual/remote format. Microsoft Teams is the primary tool that is recommended for use. If you need help developing a Microsoft Team for a department and/or committee, please contact the Help Desk at ext. 5151 or seek online support. 

  If in-person meetings (including one-on-one and group meetings) are absolutely necessary, please practice the following procedures:

  • Social distancing: Avoid coming within 6 feet of people.
  • The location of the meeting should be large enough so social distancing can be practiced.
  • Although the limit set forth by NYS is no more than 50 people congregating or meeting, we are adopting a more preventative measure; no more than 20 people should attend in person meetings.
• *UPDATED* Will we receive a refund?

  Credits/Refunds
  For students who will return in the fall, we intend to credit unused room and board fees for students who have returned home for the remainder of the semester. For students who are graduating in Spring 2020 or Summer 2020, refunds will be credited to their student account. The following criteria must be followed:

  • Once Residential students check out, they are required to vacate their residence hall or townhome NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, MARCH 27. In order to check out, please contact your Resident Director directly to schedule a check out appointment.

  Fees

  Still to be determined is how unused portions of certain fees will be refunded/credited. More information will follow in the coming days regarding fees.
  
  Tuition
  As you will still be receiving credit for coursework via distance learning and remote instruction, tuition will not be eligible for reimbursement. We are taking every measure to make sure you continue to receive a high-quality education.

• My professor has moved class online and I don't have the appropriate technology at home. What should I do?
  Contact your professor to explain the situation and see if alternate arrangements can be made. A limited amount of technology is available for students to take home. Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and WiFi during the coronavirus outbreak. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395.
• Are e-textbooks available?
  Barnes & Noble has teamed with Vital Source to offer free etextbooks to students to Barnes & Noble campuses that have transitioned to online learning due to COVID-19. Before students can begin searching for and reading ebooks, they will need to log-in or create a Bookshelf account with their institution-provided email address.

Quarantine & Coronavirus FAQs

• What is precautionary quarantine?

  The New York State Department of Health defines the need for precautionary quarantine when an individual has traveled to one of the impacted countries (China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, or Italy) where the Coronavirus is prevalent but who is not displaying any symptoms. The students in Gordon Hall are undergoing this precautionary measure, as would any traveler returning from Italy. While many of the study abroad students chose to undergo the precautionary quarantine at home, several chose a dormitory.

  While here, our guests will be provided with every comfort of home, including plenty of food service, technology access, and academic support to complete and continue their course studies. As part of the precautionary quarantine directions, each student will be separated from one another, be monitored and screened daily by local and state health department staff, undergo temperature and symptom checks that adhere to established infection control standards, and remain inside the dormitory at all times for the duration of the 14-day period. The New York State Department of Health has issued guidance when testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health provider.

  Interim Guidance Protocol for COVID-19 Testing

• Why is a quarantine taking place at SUNY Brockport? 
  SUNY Brockport is hosting SUNY study abroad students who have returned from countries that have been designated by the US Department of State for Level 2 Travel Alerts and Level 3 Travel Warnings due to the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in those areas. SUNY, under the direction of the New York State Department of Health, is instructing all program participants in impacted countries to return home and begin a 14-day quarantine at an isolated campus residence hall. SUNY has chartered flights to transport these students back to New York State from Italy, Japan, and South Korea. Some have opted to quarantine at home. Others have opted to quarantine at a SUNY campus residence hall. Gordon Hall was selected by SUNY because it was one of the very few vacant residence halls across SUNY, with rooms that can accommodate students comfortably with WiFi, food services, and enough space to allow them to be separated from one another during their precautionary quarantine period. 
• Where is the on-campus quarantine taking place?
  The quarantine will take place in Gordon Hall, which is currently unoccupied by any other SUNY Brockport residents.
• Is my student in danger?
  Quarantine measures are being implemented by local and state health departments. They ensure us that students, faculty, and staff are not at risk. Health officials are adamant that individuals need to be within six feet of an infected person in order to be at risk.
• Are the students who are quarantined on campus infected?
  Students will participate in screening at airports as they arrive to the United States. Students who show symptoms will be directed to medical care facilities and will not be brought to campus.
• How is health care being administered to these students?
  The students quarantined in Gordon Hall are receiving 24/7 medical care administered by medical personnel on site. We are working very closely with local and state health departments to ensure these students are frequently monitored and screened. As part of the precautionary quarantine directions, each student will be separated from one another, be monitored and screened daily by local and state health department staff, undergo temperature and symptom checks that adhere to established infection control standards, and remain inside the dormitory at all times for the duration of the 14-day period.
• How are the quarantined students being fed?
  We are working closely with our partners at BASC (Brockport Auxiliary Service Corporation) to ensure the students’ dietary needs are met. Their meals are being delivered to them. When they arrive, a medical professional stationed inside the building will place their meal on a chair outside of their door and will send them a text message indicating that their meal has arrived.
• *UPDATED* How can I help?
  In an effort to provide support to students who may be struggling to stay on track academically because of financial crises, the college has established the Golden Eagle Opportunity Fund.
• What happens if one of the students attempts to leave the quarantine site?

  First, we do not anticipate this happening. While the students are understandably frustrated, they have been incredibly cooperative. We are working around the clock to ensure their stay is as comfortable as possible and that both their physical and mental health needs are met.

  Should an individual attempt to leave, they will be stopped by one of the University Police officers stationed outside of the building. The officers will gently encourage them to return to the building and remind them that, should they leave, they won’t be allowed to return to campus. If the student insists, the officer will request that they share their plans and will immediately communicate what is learned to the Monroe County Health Department.

• Why are we quarantining non-Brockport students?

  SUNY, under the direction of the New York State Department of Health, is instructing all SUNY students studying abroad in countries that have been designated by the US Department of State for Level 2 Travel Alerts and Level 3 Travel Warnings due to the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus to return home and begin a 14-day quarantine at an isolated campus residence hall.

  The SUNY system has identified and prepared three SUNY campuses to serve as quarantine sites for SUNY students returning from those programs. Those campuses are Brockport, Buffalo State College, and Stony Brook University.

  Gordon Hall was selected by SUNY because it was one of the very few vacant residence halls across SUNY, with rooms that can accommodate students comfortably with WiFi, food services, and enough space to allow them to be separated from one another during their precautionary quarantine period.

• Will all impacted students be housed at Brockport?
  No. Brockport is one of three quarantine locations. Students are currently being quarantined at both Brockport and Stony Brook University.
• I live in the Village of Brockport, and I'm concerned about my health. What should I do?

  The students who are quarantined on the Brockport campus are not permitted to leave their quarantine site, Gordon Hall. In fact, health officials tell us that you must be within six feet of an infected individual to be at risk. No students under quarantine have demonstrated any symptoms. These students pose no risk to the greater Brockport community.

  If you are experiencing any health issues or concerns, please contact your primary care physician.

  Coronavirus Information from the Hazen Center for Integrated Care

  Coronavirus Resources from the Monroe County Health Department

• As a Brockport employee, how can I prevent the spread of COVID-19?

  According to the New York State Department of Health, employees should engage in proper hand and respiratory hygiene, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when they are sick.

  Regular hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds should be done:

  • before and after eating
  • after sneezing, coughing, or nose blowing
  • after using the restroom
  • before handling food
  • after touching or cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated
  • after using shared equipment and supplies like electronic equipment such as keyboards, mice, and phones

  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

  Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the corner of your elbow, and dispose of soiled tissues immediately after use.

• As a Brockport employee, if I were to have concerns for COVID-19 exposures, what should I know?

  For purposes of coronavirus, there are both a mandatory quarantine protocol and a precautionary quarantine protocol, according to the New York State Department of Health. By definition, mandatory quarantine is the classification which can be directed by legal order if not complied with. LHDs must utilize the following definitions in determining whether or not to institute a mandatory or precautionary quarantine:

  • Status for Required Mandatory Quarantine: Person has been in close contact (6 ft.) with someone who is positive, but is not displaying symptoms for COVID-19; or person has traveled to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea or Italy and is displaying symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Status for Required Mandatory Isolation: Person has tested positive for COVID-19, whether or not displaying symptoms for COVID-19. LHDs must immediately issue an order for Mandatory Quarantine or Isolation once notified, which shall be served on the person impacted. Given the virulence of COVID-19, we also have precautionary protocols.
  • Status Required for Precautionary Quarantine: Person meets one or more of the following criteria: (i) has traveled to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea or Italy while COVID-19 was prevalent, but is not displaying symptoms; or (ii) is known to have had a proximate exposure to a positive person but has not had direct contact with a positive person and is not displaying symptoms.

  Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or new or worsening respiratory symptoms including cough or shortness of breath. Anyone who feels they may meet the above criteria for quarantine should immediately contact their local health department in the county in which they reside. If the employee also has symptoms associated with COVID-19, they should be instructed to also immediately call their healthcare provider for further guidance.

  Employers may discuss opportunities for employees to work at home if possible if they require quarantine or isolation as determined by the local health department but are asymptomatic.

• As a Brockport employee, how can I help guard against the stigma of COVID-19?
  The New York State Department of Health asks that, as new information emerges, we remind our employees that the risk of novel coronavirus is not connected with race, ethnicity, or nationality. Stigma will not help to fight the illness. Do not make determinations of risk based on race or country of origin and be sure to maintain confidentiality of people with confirmed coronavirus infection. Sharing accurate information during a time of heightened concern is one of the best things we can do to keep rumors and misinformation from spreading.

• 

  Community Support

  Help support the SUNY students who are in precautionary quarantine on our campus.

• 

  Coronavirus Information

  Learn more about the specifics of COVID-19.

Last Updated 3/27/20