Latest Updates

April 8, 2021

It is natural that we should be wondering what the start of the fall 2021 semester will look like, given that we recently marked a full year of precautions and adjustments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people in New York State are completing their schedule of vaccines now, businesses and public school districts are beginning to re-open, and there seems to be a sense of cautious optimism growing that things may be “back to normal” before too long.

With the understanding that we cannot risk all the progress that has been made over the past year by letting our guard down prematurely, the Herkimer College leadership is planning for a full complement of staff on campus by July 1st, and for classes to be offered in-person on campus at the start of the new academic year. All necessary steps for getting our classrooms, laboratory spaces, and other facilities ready for the fall semester will be taken in accordance with guidance from SUNY and the CDC. 

While we are optimistic about the fall, we will of course continue to monitor the situation, as the health and safety of students, staff, and faculty are and will remain our priority. Our plans to return to in-person class delivery will be contingent on positivity rates and guidance from SUNY, the CDC, and local and state public health agencies. Additional updates will be communicated as they become available and will also be posted at www.herkimer.edu/restart.

Thank you to our students, faculty and staff for their patience, understanding and perseverance through this very challenging time. We ask for everyone’s continued cooperation in following the health and safety protocols as we close out the 2020-2021 academic year.

April 5, 2021

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that all New Yorkers 16-years-of-age and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting tomorrow (April 6).

According to a news release from the Governor’s office, New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. You are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment. As of right now, people 16 and 17 years of age can only receive the Pfizer vaccine. 

Appointments can be scheduled for state-run mass vaccination sites on the 'Am I Eligible' website. You may also visit your local health department website or contact your pharmacy, doctor, or hospital for additional information and to schedule appointments. (Links to local county websites are: Herkimer County and Oneida County). 

February 3, 2021

We are pleased to report a successful move-in weekend for on-campus housing. As planned, all students and individuals accompanying them were tested upon arrival to campus. While waiting for test results, individuals were required to quarantine in their cars so as to eliminate risk of potential exposure. Over the weekend, we conducted 220 tests, with one positive test result. The individual who tested positive was directed to return home and isolate per county public health directives. Thank you to everyone involved in the move-in process for their thoughtful planning, time and good work.

Our mandatory surveillance testing is now underway, and late last evening, we received notification of a positive pool. All individuals in the pool were notified and subsequently underwent a rapid test for COVID-19. There were two positive test results, and we are in the process of notifying all individuals who had potential exposure. Additionally, residential students are being relocated to observe isolation and quarantine requirements.

It is important to reinforce the need for students and employees who will be on campus for any reason this semester to participate in the mandatory weekly pooled surveillance testing, and follow all of the health and safety protocols in place. We all must do our part to protect ourselves and our community, so we can all have a healthy and successful semester. 

January 25, 2021

Dear Students:

SUNY has mandated that any student who will be on campus for any reason during the Spring 2021 semester MUST participate in COVID Surveillance Testing.  Testing will be done on a weekly basis and failure to comply with this directive could result in your removal from on-campus classes, on-campus employment, athletic teams and on-campus housing or suspension/dismissal from the College.  To help ensure we maintain compliance with this important SUNY mandate, please note the following:

You must register for the testing at www.suny-covid-test.com prior to arriving for testing. When registering you must provide health insurance information.  Please know that Herkimer College is providing this testing without charge to all students.  While you will never be charged for this testing, the health insurance information is a requirement.  Please contact the Dean of Students Office if you or your parents/guardians do not have health insurance.

• You must bring your Herkimer Student ID card every time you test.
• Please do not brush your teeth or use mouthwash 3 hours prior to testing.
• Do not eat, drink, smoke or vape 30 minutes prior to testing.  This includes mints, throat lozenges and water.

Testing will be available in the Cogar Gallery in the Robert McLaughlin College Center during the following times: 

• Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 2 pm
• Monday, 4 pm - 5:45 pm

Testing groups are as follows:

Monday

• All athletes (must test with their respective teams)
• Campus Meadows - Bldgs. A & B
• Reservoir Run - Bldgs.1 & 2
• Commuter students with last names beginning with the letters A - D

 Tuesday

• Campus Meadows - Bldgs. C & D
• College Hill - Bldgs. 1 & 4
• Police Academy
• PTA
• Commuter students with last names beginning with the letters E - L

 Wednesday

• Campus Meadows - Bldgs. F & G
• College Hill Building 2
• Commuter students with last names beginning with the letters M - S

 Thursday

• All athletes (must test with their respective teams)
• Campus Meadows - Bldgs. H & J
• Reservoir Run - Bldgs. 3 & 4
• Commuter students with last names beginning with the letters T - Z

If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you must contact the Dean of Students Office to discuss how your testing may differ.

If your employer requires COVID testing, you may be excused from testing if you bring proof of the negative results of that test.  Please note:  If your employer does not conduct testing on a weekly basis, you must participate in the College’s surveillance testing during the weeks you are not tested at work.

If you are not able to test on your scheduled day, you must contact the Dean of Students Office to adjust your testing schedule.  Please email DeanofStudents@Herkimer.edu or call 315.574.4009.

As required while on campus, masks must be worn and social distancing must be maintained at all times.

Regards,

Donald M. Dutcher '90
Dean of Students/Director of Athletics

January 19, 2021

We are pleased to inform you that the College has been selected to serve as a vaccination distribution site for Herkimer County. Please be aware this is a Herkimer County initiative. Per the County's website, the vaccination appointments for Thursday, January 21^st have been filled. If you believe you are eligible to be vaccinated, please visit Herkimer County’s website at www.herkimercounty.org for information and additional dates and times to make an appointment. Thank you.

Other Recent Updates

• Herkimer College announces plans to return to competition for intercollegiate sports - January 13, 2021
• Adjustments made to Spring 2021 Academic Calendar - December 21, 2020
• Competition cancelled for high-risk indoor sports - December 8, 2020
• Follow up about positive COVID-19 cases - November 3, 2020
• Update on COVID Testing - November 2, 2020

• More Updates
• Download the New Student Orientation Schedule
• Download the Microsoft Teams User Guide