SUNY Tightening Mandatory Testing Requirements

By Kevin Conley II, Staff Writer

Hudson Valley community college will soon be tightening their COVID-19 requirements to enter campus. The announcement comes as of November 5th, 2020, as COVID cases continue to soar throughout New York state, as well as the rest of America.

Vice President for Student Affairs, Louis Coplin released an official statement on the matter. “In a continuing effort to ensure the Hudson Valley campus community remains a safe environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and out of an abundance of caution, the college will be implementing under the direction of SUNY Chancellor Dr. Jim Malatras, a new testing policy that mandates all students who are enrolled in on-campus courses and/or use any of the college’s facilities be tested prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday break,” Coplin said. 

Testing began Monday, November 16th, and will continue until Friday, November 20th. Executive Director of Communications & Marketing Dennis Kennedy said SUNY has yet to approve of the college’s testing policy. “At this time, the college has submitted its testing plan for SUNY approval and will communicate additional information with the campus community as soon as possible”, Kennedy said. 

According to SUNY, students, faculty, and staff from all 64 of their colleges will be subject to their new policy. SUNY has claimed that 230 students so far have been tested. The attempt comes in an effort to return campus life back to a sense of normalcy. Only students who test negative will be allowed to enter campus.

 Faculty and staff will also be subject to the new COVID restrictions. As usual, all students are required to take a health screening test before entering the campus grounds. Students and staff are also required to wear a mask, or any face covering while staying 6 feet apart from others at all times. 

Hand sanitizers, anti-bacterial wipes, and other items will also be available. Students who fail to follow these guidelines could be subject to harsh consequences. Students who fail to quarantine if needed, refuse to wear a mask on campus, or enter campus despite a positive COVID-19 test will be forced to continue classes online with a warning. 

Students who do not follow the rules put in place may also be subject to disciplinary action on part of the school. Testing will continue through the end of November.