Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,
A few days ago, SUNY Oneonta announced that hundreds of its students had tested positive for COVID-19 and that, as a result, they were shifting the fall semester back online. SUNY’s Chancellor told a newspaper that the majority of students were doing the right thing and that a small group ruined it for everyone else.
Meanwhile, here on campus, the last week has brought some of the typical hallmarks of fall. Students have again started to move into the residence halls, excited about the college dreams that they might have otherwise put on hold. I’ve had my first Hudson View Café cheeseburger since March (it was just as delicious as I remember it!). And efforts to put the finishing touches on campus are happening as always – with some new features like plexiglass, safety checks and signage.
As I have said all along, in this COVID-19 world, it is impossible to predict what the next few weeks and months will hold. That said, it is striking to think about the students at Oneonta – frustrated, disappointed, moving out – and ours – excited, hopeful, moving in. What we know – and what is becoming all the more real – is that it will take all of us for our students to have the experience they dream of, the experience they deserve.
Each one of us plays a role in ensuring that Mercy College can remain open for the in-person instruction and services students need. We need your help and we need you to encourage others to do their part.
In brief, here’s what that means:
- Wear an approved face covering. Wear it inside, wear it outside, wear it out of an abundance of caution.
- Practice physical distancing. This applies in and out of class and on and off campus.
- Stay home if you’re sick. Even if there’s any question in your mind, be safe and keep us all safe.
- Limit gatherings both on and off campus. Gatherings with more than 15 attendees must be pre-approved by the President or Provost.
- Keep an eye out for the community. In addition to adhering to these principles yourself, we need your help to remind others of these new requirements.
The actions of every one of us will impact our entire community, and I ask you to take personal responsibility for your actions and to report on any activities that violate our OnCampus Plus reopening plan. While we know this term will be different, we are eager to welcome all of you back to our Mercy community.
Sincerely,
Tim Hall
President