In a press release today, the State University of oneonta announced its plans to welcome students back to cmpus for the fall 2020 term

With a plan for fall 2020 approved by SUNY and the State of New York, SUNY Oneonta have announced this afternoon that it will welcome students back to campus in August with a mix of face-to-face and online instruction.

“Thoughtful consideration of several scenarios and extensive input from the campus community went into our plan,” said President Barbara Morris. “Its aim is to carry out the mission of the college — to nurture a community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully — while remaining vigilant against COVID-19.”

The plan outlines protocols that limit person-to-person contact and in-person gatherings wherever possible. There will be changes to the college calendar and increased cleaning, disinfecting and monitoring measures will be conducted campus-wide.

A few high-level specifics to the plan include:

The fall semester will run from Aug. 24 to Dec. 15.

The college will limit face-to-face instruction. Most classes will be fully online, and some will be a mix of in-person and online. Labs and classes that rely on hands-on activities will take place in larger spaces, to reduce density. All in-person instruction will end at Thanksgiving break. The rest of the semester, including finals, will be online only.

Campus living and dining will resume. However, both residence and dining halls will implement protocols to limit density and promote social distancing.

Students and campus employees must participate in public health trainings and routine screenings, and must wear face coverings on campus in spaces where social distancing is not possible.

College officials note it is possible that new information or direction from the state might require the college to change its plan in the coming weeks.

President Morris added, “SUNY Oneonta is at its best when we are able to live and learn together as a residential community. This plan is a big step in that direction. All of us at the college have so missed the vibrancy that students bring to our campus and we look forward to seeing their return.”

More details about SUNY Oneonta’s plan can be found online at https://suny.oneonta.edu/fall-2020-re-start-plan

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