We are...HERK Safe
The following policies related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have been implemented at Herkimer County Community College, developed in accordance with the latest guidance from the Herkimer County Health Department and the State University of New York. Please note they are subject to change per Federal, State, SUNY, local, or College guidance.
Questions regarding Herkimer College's response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus can be sent to coronavirusresponse@herkimer.edu.
Vaccinations
With the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on August 23, 2021, Herkimer College is requiring full vaccinations for all students enrolled in on-campus classes or planning to be on campus for any reason, in accordance with State University of New York policy.
Students have until Monday, September 27, to:
- complete a full vaccine series and provide proof of having completed a full vaccine series.
OR
- receive approval for an exemption from the vaccination requirement on either a medical, or a religious basis.
Herkimer County Community College students must submit their proof of completion of a vaccine series to the Dean of Students Office either via email to deanofstudents@herkimer.edu, or via fax to 315-866-1808. They can also be submitted online to the COVID Vaccination Confirmation form.
Upon expiration of the 35-day grace period (September 27, 2021), any student who has not shown that they have completed a full vaccine series, or been granted an exemption, will be administratively withdrawn from on-campus classes. Additionally, the student will no longer have access to any in-person campus activities or services. (Important Note about Administrative Withdrawal: Administrative withdrawal may impact a student's federal financial aid eligibility, potentially resulting in an unpaid balance owed to the College by the student.)
Students can download the Request for Medical Immunization Exemption form or the Request for Religious Immunization Exemption form from the College website, or obtain them from the Dean of Students Office via email at deanofstudents@herkimer.edu. Exemption request forms, including any supporting materials, must be received by the end of the day on Friday, September 3, 2021. Completed exemption requests should be submitted to the Dean of Students Office either via email to deanofstudents@herkimer.edu, or via fax to 315-866-1808.
Internet Academy students (students enrolled 100% online), and not planning to be on campus for any reason, are exempt from vaccination. Students in this category must submit an attestation confirming they will not be using any campus facilities. The Online Student Exemption attestation form is available at herkimer.edu/online-exemption.
Herkimer County Public Health will be on campus to administer second round COVID vaccines on the following days:
Friday, September 24th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Monday, September 27th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
If you are in need of your second COVID shot (regardless of where you may have received the first one), please contact the Dean of Students office between 8am – 4pm to schedule an appointment. The Dean of Students office will be closed daily from 12:30 – 1:30. This clinic is by appointment only and walk-ins will not be accommodated.
Surveillance Testing Requirements
The College will continue to participate in pooled surveillance testing procedures. The testing site is located in the Cogar Gallery in the Robert McLaughlin College Center Building (RMCC 278) and will operate Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Please see below for a breakdown of testing requirements for each student cohort:
Residential Students: All Herkimer students residing on-campus are required to participate in weekly surveillance testing on campus throughout the rest of the semester.
Commuter Students: Commuter students who are not fully vaccinated must comply with weekly surveillance testing through October 11. After October 11, only those who are approved for vaccine exemption will be required to undergo weekly surveillance testing. (According to the CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.)
Student-Athletes: All student-athletes, regardless of whether they are residential or commuter students, and regardless of if they have been approved for an exemption, will be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing.
Wednesdays each week will be designated testing days for student-athletes in the College’s surveillance testing site.
Testing will take place in the Cogar Gallery as follows:
Monday:
- All students living in Campus Meadows Buildings A & B and Reservoir Run Buildings 1 & 2, regardless of their vaccination status *(student athletes should complete their testing on Wednesday)
- All unvaccinated students whose last name begins with the letters A – F
Tuesday:
- All students living in Campus Meadows Buildings C, D, E & F, regardless of their vaccination status *(student athletes should complete their testing on Wednesday)
- All unvaccinated students whose last name begins with the letters G – L
Tuesday Evening:
- Pre-employment Police Academy students
Wednesday:
- All student-athletes regardless of their vaccination status
- All unvaccinated students whose last name begins with the letters M – R
Wednesday Evening:
- Pre-Employment Corrections Basic Training students
Thursday:
- All students living in Campus Meadows Buildings J & H, College Hill and Reservoir Run Buildings 3 & 4 regardless of their vaccination status. *(student-athletes should complete their testing on Wednesday)
- All unvaccinated students whose last name begins with the letters S – Z
Students may also have a rapid COVID test at Primary Urgent Care locations in Herkimer (130 West Albany Street; 315-634-6647) or South Utica (1904 Genesee St.; 315-804-6800). Results of your rapid COVID test must be sent to the Dean of Students (deanofstudents@herkimer.edu; FAX 315-866-1808).
Facial Coverings
Herkimer College requires all employees, students, and visitors to wear face coverings while on campus.
Face coverings are to be worn in classrooms, hallways, restrooms, and all other common spaces. Face coverings are not required while eating in on-campus dining areas, within personal offices, or in non-public-facing personal workstations.
Individuals who have been approved for a vaccination exemption will be required to wear face coverings in all outdoor settings. Vaccinated individuals will not be required to wear face coverings outdoors, except at outdoor events and where large groups of people gather, such as at on-campus athletic events.