COVID-Delayed Return To Campus At SUNY Purchase Announced

PURCHASE, NY — SUNY Purchase announced today that it will delay the return of students to campus by two weeks, as concerns over spiking coronavirus cases mount.

School officials said that the move will offer a better chance of restarting classes after the worst of the current surge has passed. The schedule change will also give students and staff more time to comply with recently announced testing and booster shot requirements at all SUNY campuses.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that all students regularly accessing SUNY campuses for the spring semester will not only have to be vaccinated against the coronavirus but will be required to get booster shots when they are eligible.

Additionally, there will be mandatory pre-testing ahead of returning to campus.

The school is also recommending flu shots for students and staff as the alarm is being raised over the so-called "flurona" combination of flu and coronavirus symptoms.

The new first day of class is now scheduled for January 31. Spring break will still take place during the week of April 11, but classes will be in session on Presidents' Day (Feb. 1).

The full text of the Jan. 6 message to students and faculty can be read below.

After many thoughtful conversations about the academic needs of our students and the current COVID case load in our region, we have decided to adjust the academic calendar to begin almost two weeks later than our original start date. Our plan for the spring semester prioritizes in-person learning and the health and safety of our community.The plan will also include a full spring break, which we understand is important for the mental health and wellness of the community.

This plan, which has been approved by SUNY, will hopefully allow us to get past the peak of the current spike of cases. It also gives our community more time to obtain tests, which we know is a challenge right now. As per the Governor’s mandate on booster shots, it also gives students more time to obtain booster shots as they become eligible, as required.

Please note that we are still working on the schedule for move-in and on-campus testing, as well as the schedule for finals and commencement. We will be in touch in the coming days once those days are firm.

All students (residents and commuters) will need to obtain a PCR test and result within 7 days of returning to campus and self-quarantine from that test date until departing for campus.

Adjusted Spring 2022 Calendar

• Monday, January 31: First day of class
• Monday, February 21: Presidents’ Day, class in session
• Spring Break: April 11-15
• Finals: May 16-20
• Commencement: TBA