Latest Updates

July 21, 2021

Info for Students:

We look forward to welcoming you to campus this fall and we are working hard to make your experience this fall the best it can be. Everyone here at Herkimer College is looking forward to providing you with an active campus environment. 

Per State University of New York policy, all students accessing campus facilities are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the Fall semester, pending final approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While we are uncertain when full FDA approval will be confirmed, it is strongly recommended that students get fully vaccinated before the start of the Fall 2021 semester.

To ensure the health and safety of our campus community, the following COVID-19 infection prevention protocols will be required of students accessing campus facilities:

• Vaccinated students are required to submit proof of vaccination as soon as they are fully vaccinated. A photo or scanned copy of the vaccination card can be submitted here: www.herkimer.edu/herksafe or by mailing a hard copy to Dean of Students, Herkimer College, 100 Reservoir Rd, Herkimer, NY  13350. Vaccinated students will not be required to wear a mask or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, though they are welcome to do so.
• Unvaccinated students and students who do not provide proof of vaccination, will be required to wear a mask at all times and maintain six (6) feet of social distancing. Exceptions to the mask wearing requirement include when students are (1) in their private residential or personal space, (2) eating meals on-campus while seated and social distancing is appropriately enforced, or (3) by themselves. Unvaccinated students must also participate in mandatory weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing administered by the College.
  
  Unvaccinated students are required to sign the HERKSafe student pledge agreeing to follow the protocols set forth by the College. The HERKSafe pledge can be reviewed and signed here: www.herkimer.edu/herksafe. Infractions of the HERKSafe pledge will be considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, and may result in removal from on-campus housing and/or expulsion from the College.
  
  Medical Exemption: Students may be exempt from the vaccine requirement if a duly licensed health care provider certifies in writing that the COVID-19 Vaccination may be detrimental to the student’s health. For more details and a Request for Medical Immunization Exemption form, please email deanofstudents@herkimer.edu.
  
  Religious Exemption: Students who hold genuine religious beliefs which are contrary to COVID-19 Vaccination may be exempt after submitting a Request for Religious Immunization Exemption form, along with required documents. This form can be requested from the Dean of Students Office by emailing deanofstudents@herkimer.edu.
  
  Students granted a medical or religious exemption will be required to quarantine for at least ten (10) days upon arrival and will be subject to the protocols for unvaccinated students described above.
• 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 here: www.herkimer.edu/online-exemption
• Residential student move-in is scheduled for Saturday, September 4th and Sunday, September 5th. Room assignments and details regarding move-in have been mailed out to students who have paid a deposit for on-campus housing. All unvaccinated students and family members, as well as those unable to provide proof of full vaccination, will be required to undergo an on-site, free, rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival for move-in. Anyone testing positive will be required to return home and isolate per the Department of Health.

The above policies and procedures are subject to change as COVID-related conditions evolve.

It is important to plan ahead so you are fully vaccinated in time for the fall semester. You can now get a vaccine at most pharmacies as well as walk-in New York State-run vaccination sites, making it easy and convenient to get your shots in. For locations near you, visit: https://www.vaccines.gov/search/

We understand you may still have questions or concerns. SUNY has provided answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, as well as vaccine information in more than a dozen languages, at www.suny.edu/knowyourvax

Please feel free to email deanofstudents@herkimer.edu or call 315-574-4009 should you have questions or concerns. Enjoy the remainder of your summer. See you on campus in a few months!

July 14, 2021

Move-In Information for Fall 2021 Residential Students:

Welcome to the Residence Life & Housing program at Herkimer College. Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, we are working hard to provide you with a quality residence life experience this fall, while maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all. Residential student move-in is scheduled for Saturday, September 4th and Sunday, September 5th.

Unvaccinated students must undergo a COVID-19 rapid test on move in day here on campus. The test is free of charge and will be conducted before students are allowed access to their assigned room/apartment. If a student or family member tests positive on move in day, they will be required to return home for an isolation period deemed necessary by the department of health. Students will have the option to move in after the isolation period has ended.

Students who are vaccinated are required to submit proof of vaccination as soon as they are fully vaccinated. A copy or photo of your vaccination card can be uploaded here: www.herkimer.edu/herksafe or mailed to: Dean of Students, Herkimer College, 100 Reservoir Rd, Herkimer, NY 13350. Students who are fully vaccinated will not be required to test on move in day.

Each student is allowed to have a maximum of two family members assist with moving items into the apartment. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must undergo a rapid test upon arrival to campus. Family members who are fully vaccinated must provide documentation, to continue with the move-in process.

Unvaccinated students will be required to sign the HERKSafe student pledge agreeing to follow the protocols set forth by the College. Infractions of the HERKSafe pledge will be considered a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, and may result in removal from on-campus housing and/or expulsion from the College. The HERKSafe pledge can be reviewed and signed here: www.herkimer.edu/herksafe.

Vaccinated students who do not want to share a room with someone who is unvaccinated must contact Jason Rathbun, Director of Residence Life, at Rathbunja@Herkimer.edu by September 1st, 2021.

Herkimer College recommends that all students receive the vaccine as it will become a requirement by SUNY and the Governor once FDA approved.

July 6, 2021

Dear Students,

While Herkimer County Community College is not currently mandating the COVID-19 vaccine, it will be required for all students on campus once it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unvaccinated students will be required to follow health and safety protocols such as mask-wearing, weekly COVID testing, and social distancing. Therefore, we strongly encourage all students who will be on campus this fall for any reason to consider getting vaccinated now.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free. They’re now available at most local pharmacies, so it’s easy and convenient to get your shots. Find a location near you and get started today.

SUNY is kicking off its #30DayVaxChallenge today to get as many students as possible fully vaccinated before the start of the fall semester. Check out their video on YouTube. SUNY has also provided answers to some common questions below.

Learn more from SUNY and community experts at suny.edu/knowyourvax, or talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider for more information.

If you have not yet been vaccinated, now is the time to do it. We’re all looking forward to getting back to the things we’ve missed most over the past year and a half—and the best way to ensure a smooth and safe return to campus is to get vaccinated before returning.

We look forward to seeing you this fall.

Sincerely,

Cathleen C. McColgin, Ph.D.

President

June 1, 2021

In response to recent changes in COVID-19 health and safety mandates and guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the State University of New York (SUNY), Herkimer College is announcing the following changes to campus protocols. These protocols are subject to change as conditions evolve and will be updated accordingly.

• Fully vaccinated employees are exempt from mandatory weekly surveillance testing upon the submission of documentation showing completion of a full vaccination series. Proof of vaccination should be submitted to Julie Todd, Assistant Director of Human Resources, via email (toddja@herkimer.edu), fax (315-866-7045) or mail, for placement in the employees’ health insurance confidential file. Mandatory weekly testing will continue to be required for individuals who have a physical presence on campus and who have not been fully vaccinated, or who have not shown proof of vaccination. Fully vaccinated employees may continue to participate in surveillance testing if they wish to do so. As a reminder, testing is conducted on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the summer.
• All employees who report to work in person must continue to submit a daily health screening using Campus Clear (via mobile app or computer). Employees will no longer be required to have their temperature taken or wear a wrist band, and all entrances will be open.
• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals (employees and visitors) must continue to wear a mask and maintain six feet social distancing in both indoor and outdoor settings. Fully vaccinated individuals will not be required to wear a mask or maintain social distancing; however, nothing prohibits fully vaccinated individuals from continuing the use of masks if they wish to do so.
• Upon arrival at the RMCC entrance, visitors will be asked to sign in for contact tracing purposes, issued a wrist band, and informed of the mask protocol.

We will continue to provide information and updated protocols as we enter the summer and finalize plans for the fall semester.

Other Recent Updates

• Fall Semester Planning - April 8, 2021
• COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility for 16 Years and Older - April 5, 2021
• Move-in Weekend Update - February 3, 2021
• COVID Surveillance Testing - January 25, 2021
• Vaccination Distribution Site for Herkimer County - January 19, 2021

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