COVID-19 Updates & Campus Information

Dear Campus Community,

The fall semester is winding down with only three more weeks before all instruction moves online for the remainder of the semester.  Everyone has done a great job adjusting to the new way of doing things and following our campus health protocols.  Thank you!

On Tuesday, November 10, all students who have not already left campus will take part in the mandatory surveillance pool testing.  Due to our commitment to the health and safety of our campus community, and in accordance with the SUNY-Wide mandate, all students who currently live or work on campus, attend in-person classes or labs, or who use any on-campus facility (such as the library, pool, fitness center, eateries, etc.) will be tested prior to their departure from Delhi on this date. Students will receive details regarding the surveillance test via an email from Health Services.

Please note: If a student is leaving Delhi earlier than November 10, they need to test this coming Tuesday, November 3. Students must call Health Services at 607-746-4690 if they have not received an invitation for testing by Friday, October 30, at 5 p.m. We must hear from the student by 12 p.m. on Monday, November 2, in order to test them on November 3.

The testing prior to departure will help prevent community spread as students return to their hometown and loved ones. Any student who tests positive for COVID-19 will work with Health Services and the Delaware County Health Department to make appropriate arrangements for quarantine/isolation. 

It is important that we not only remain healthy for the remainder of in-person instruction, but that everyone leaves Delhi healthy as well.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael R. Laliberte

President

Dear Campus Community Members, 

I want to thank you for your continued efforts to make the Fall 2020 semester successful. While we have not been able to gather socially, we have adapted to the current challenges with creativity and flexibility, both of which will make us stronger and better in the future.  

With less than five weeks of in-person instruction remaining, your academic Deans and I, along with members of the Academic Planning Committee, have worked on a plan for the Spring 2021 semester.  Although all plans are tentative at this time, and may change due to directives from SUNY, Governor Cuomo’s Office, or the New York State Health Department, our academic calendar is scheduled as follows: 

All classes start on Monday, February 1 via remote/online instruction.  

In-person instruction (for labs and designated courses) will begin on Monday, February 15.   

Classes will run continuously from Monday, February 1 through Friday, May 7. 

The final week of instruction and final exams will be Monday, May 10 - Friday, May 14.   

Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 15.   

This calendar will allow students to complete their spring semester course requirements within a condensed time period (14 weeks for lectures, 12 weeks for labs, and one week for finals).  Academic departments will provide specific details for their respective disciplines. Details regarding move-in dates for the residence halls and our commencement ceremony will be shared as they are finalized. 

The success of our students and the spring semester will depend on everyone working together and following the campus health protocols to keep our campus community healthy.  Thank you for your continued support! 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Thomas Jordan, Provost 

Dean David Brower – School of Business & Hospitality Management 

Dean Susan Deane – School of Nursing 

Dean Linnea Burwood Goodwin – School of Liberal Arts & Sciences 

Dean Nancy MacDonald – School of Applied Technologies and Architecture 

Dean Barrett Meckel – School of Veterinary & Applied Sciences 

Dear Campus Community, 

Thank you again for your dedication to making this fall semester successful.  To date, we have completed over 1,100 pool surveillance tests. By next Tuesday, we will have tested all of our students at least once who are taking in-person labs or classes.  

Although some areas are experiencing an increase of COVID-19 cases, we are currently isolated from this trend. However, we know that this could change at any moment, especially if we become lax. By continuing to follow the campus health protocols, we can maintain our healthy community. Our students say it best in the PSA Mask-Up video and the Hey Broncos video.   

Please continue to practice these healthy behaviors for the remainder of the semester. We only have six weeks left of in-person instruction. Together, we can do this. 

Thank you for your unwavering support and for all you are doing every day to stay healthy and be successful. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Michael R. Laliberte 

President  

Dear Campus Community,

Your health and wellness is our top priority at SUNY Delhi.  We continue to monitor the evolving COVID-19 situation in and around the Delhi area and modify our reopening plan based on the most current information available.

In an effort to keep our campus community informed of the COVID-19 situation, we have developed a COVID-19 Dashboard that will be updated daily, Monday through Friday, with the latest data. Please note that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases listed on the dashboard includes all SUNY Delhi students (commuter students, students living on campus, and students studying completely online).  At this time, we do not have any confirmed COVID-19 cases for students who are living on campus.  However, we are postponing the arrival of some of the students who were scheduled to return to campus tomorrow, Sunday, September 6, to maintain reduced density as we monitor the situation.

The academic deans are currently working on revising the academic plans for any student impacted by this change in arrival date, and they will be emailing students directly with more information.  Once a new arrival date has been determined, the Office of Residence Life will email the students.

Please continue to read your SUNY Delhi email daily and monitor the SUNY Delhi COVID-19 web page for updates.

Be assured that all decisions regarding modifications to our reopening plan, including arrival dates for on campus students, are being made to help ensure a healthy and successful semester for everyone.

If you have questions or concerns about housing, please contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@delhi.edu or call 607-746-4630. 

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael R. Laliberte
President

Dear SUNY Delhi Campus Community,

Consistent with Governor Cuomo’s Phase 4 reopening blueprint for higher education institutions, SUNY Delhi will begin conducting surveillance testing for COVID-19 on campus starting Tuesday, September 15, 2020. Surveillance testing serves as an early warning system to assist in the prevention and spread management of COVID-19.

SUNY Delhi will implement a testing protocol provided by SUNY Upstate Medical University. With this tool, we will conduct pool testing of saliva samples from students. The test will identify the presence of COVID-19 in the samples with a 95+% confidence level.

Students will be selected for pool testing in designated groups and will be notified via email with detailed instructions. Participation is mandatory. To understand what to expect during the pool testing process, please watch this brief video.

Students who have previously had a confirmed case of COVID-19 will need to get medical documentation from their health care provider and must call Health Services at 607-746-4690 to coordinate an exemption for the surveillance testing.

Please continue to follow campus health and safety guidelines this semester as we continue to work together to keep our community safe. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael R. Laliberte
President

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Families,

As we approach the beginning of a new academic year at SUNY Delhi, we know that the success of our Fall 2020 semester depends on everyone’s commitment to following our established health and safety guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Our goal is to keep our community safe and avoid disruptive measures (such as a campus shutdown) so that we can eventually return to regular operations and our students can enjoy all the rewards of an on-campus college experience.

As parents, guardians, and family members, you play an important and influential role in your student’s life. While we are communicating with students directly regarding our campus guidelines and expectations, we also encourage you to talk with your student about making healthy, responsible choices for the greater good of our community.

Below are key reminders to speak with your student about:

• Taking the mandatory pre-screening tool on the Patient Portal and self-isolating for 14 days prior to arriving on campus
• Using the required daily health screening tool if residing on campus or taking classes/labs in person at the college
• Contacting Health and Counseling Services if they do not feel well or have symptoms of COVID-19
• Washing and/or sanitizing hands frequently
• Wearing a face covering anytime they are in a public space or interacting with others
• Maintaining at least six feet of social distance between themselves and others
• Refraining from attending large gatherings
• Focusing on academics
  

Please note that our updated Student Code of Conduct lists the expectations for our students as well as the consequences of not adhering to the code, including disciplinary actions such as removing the student from campus housing without a refund.

To raise more awareness and reinforce our messaging about health and safety, we have initiated a Bronco Pledge online as a voluntary, personal commitment to follow our health guidelines that all campus members can take. Please encourage your student to view this page and take the pledge to commit to these guidelines.

The SUNY Delhi Reopening Overview and the Reopening FAQs web pages provide more resources to assist in helping your student prepare for the fall semester and remain healthy.

Thank you for your valuable role in helping our students have a safe, successful Fall 2020 semester!

Sincerely,
Dr. Michael R. Laliberte
President

Dear Students,

As the last few weeks of summer approach, I wanted to share information about your courses and schedules for this fall semester. This email is designed to answer your academic questions and discuss the learning environment for the fall. 

The key topics covered in this email are:

• Academic Information which will include fall teaching modes, offering definitions on the types of classes being offered and how you can adjust your schedule if need be.
• Learning Environment which will include information on what to expect this fall, helping you to envision what the classes will look like, the benefits of being on campus, and resources available to you to help you succeed, regardless of the mode of instruction. 

If you have other questions, please visit the Reopening SUNY Delhi Fall 2020 plan and email the appropriate office. 

Academic Information:

The Fall 2020 schedule was modified to keep the campus community safe, which includes reducing campus density and increasing social distancing in the classrooms, implementing safety protocols such as requiring face coverings, and providing alternative teaching modes while ensuring high-quality teaching and learning in all classes.

Student’s course schedule will now identify if your course will be in person, online, or hybrid. Remember, if you are a returning student, you will be able to adjust your schedule on August 24, after 12:30 p.m. in Bronco Web using your alternate PIN provided to you earlier this year by your advisor. If you would like to adjust your schedule earlier or if you have any questions about your schedule, please email your academic dean for assistance.

Definitions of In Person, Online, or Hybrid classes:

In Person: these classes will be conducted in person on campus in rooms or labs where students must wear face coverings and where other safety protocols have been established.  Details about the class meeting days and times and location will be according to your class schedule that can be viewed through Bronco Web.

Online: these classes will be conducted remotely using a computer and Internet connection.  You will interact with your faculty and other classmates via Zoom and all course materials will be available through Online Delhi, our campus learning management system.  Online classes may include a combination of self-paced work that you do on your own with live sessions through Zoom or another platform, with collaborative online discussions, and group or individual projects.  Details about online courses will be provided in the course syllabus.  Online courses may be either asynchronous or synchronous, or a combination of both:

Asynchronous: which means that although there are no specific meeting times for this class, you will engage with the faculty and other students through learning activities that may include discussions, lectures, readings, quizzes, assignments, projects, and/or exams.  Classes that are asynchronous will be designated as online in your course schedule with no meeting days or times noted.

Synchronous: which means you will be expected to join a live class session at a specific day and time according to your course schedule on Bronco Web. These classes will be designated as online in your course schedule with specific days and times indicated.  These classes are likely to include discussions and other interactive class activities. This type of online course most closely resembles an in-person class.

Hybrid: these classes are unique and involve a mix of mandatory in-person on campus instruction with online components.  An example of a hybrid course would be having your lecture online and your lab in person, or meeting in person once or twice per week for class with other online components.  These classes will be indicated as hybrid on Bronco Web with the days and times for the in-person instruction noted, with further details given in the course syllabus.  Students must wear a face covering to all in-person classes.

Regardless of the mode of instruction for your classes, SUNY Delhi is committed to providing you with a high quality education and engaged classes to help you succeed.  Whether communicating with your faculty and peers in person or remotely, your participation in your classes is critical to your success.

There are numerous resources to help you be successful on campus and online.  The Resnick Academic Achievement Center and the Resnick Library staff are ready to assist students with individual appointments.

Please note that the academic calendar has also been modified to have all students move to online instruction after November 20 to complete the semester.

Learning Environment for Fall 2020:

Although many or all of your courses may be online in the fall, living on campus may be the best option for you.  There will be ample opportunity and spaces for students to engage and interact safely with one another and have space to study, including in the library and Farrell Center, adjusted for social distancing requirements.  You will have easy access to the support and resources designed to help you be successful, such as peer mentors, tutors, advisors, and faculty, while enjoying excellent internet access and technology assistance.

All of the modifications made for the Fall 2020 semester were done with the health and safety of our campus community in mind.  It is essential that every person take personal responsibility for keeping themselves and everyone safe by following the guidelines listed in the Student Code of Conduct Appendix 11.   These guidelines include requiring all members of the campus community to: 

• Wear face coverings or shields when in public
• Maintain social distance of at least six feet
• Complete an online daily health screening:
  • Student screening
  • Employee screening
• Limit travel for only essential necessities
• Limit travel for only essential necessities
• Remain in your residence if you do not feel well
• Have no visitors on campus or in campus buildings
• Respectfully comply with requests to abide by the guidelines

The success of the fall semester will depend on everyone doing their part to keep themselves and others safe.  While we may look different with our face coverings on and may have to modify how we interact, the focus at SUNY Delhi will remain your health and academic success.  With your help, we can accomplish this.

Please make sure you have completed the pre-health screening that is required for any student who will be returning to campus.  This pre-screening must be completed within 14 days of returning to campus.

If you have questions, please email the appropriate office listed at the bottom of the reopening web page.  I am excited to welcome you back to campus and am looking forward to a successful and healthy semester!

Sincerely,

Dr. Susan Deane
Interim Provost & Dean of the School of Nursing

Dear Student, 

We appreciate your patience while we have worked on credits and refunds for the spring semester.  We are pleased to notify you that credits for Spring 2020 room and meal charges, as well as credits for the intercollegiate athletics, transportation, and print fees, have been applied to students’ accounts.  You may verify your individual account status through Bronco Web.  Students residing in campus residence halls as of March 12 received a 45% pro-rated room and meal credit based upon March 22, which represents the end of the first week of the rescheduled spring break.  Students with commuter meal plans received meal credits based upon actual unused plan balances.  Students who were enrolled as of March 12 also received a 45% pro-rated credit for the intercollegiate athletics, transportation, and print fees based upon the same March 22 date. 

Credits are first applied toward current outstanding account balances. Any remaining credit balances are being refunded to students based on their refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements.  Students can check their refund preference by going to the Bank Mobile Refund Selection website. Changes or updates to refund preferences made after Monday, May 18, 2020 may not take effect prior to release of these refunds.

While timing is still uncertain, students who need to return to campus to complete the hands-on lab work necessary for applicable courses and require on-campus housing may be charged weekly for room and meals provided.   Please be aware that students who were dismissed from campus for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for any credits.

Additional Information for Loan Borrowers:

Students who have borrowed a student loan and are eligible to receive a refund will have the opportunity to make a voluntary payment towards their loan balance, thus reducing the amount to pay back when repayment begins. Students can log in to their FSA account at the Federal Student Aid website to view their outstanding federal student loan balances, and to find information about their loan servicer(s). Loan servicers can be contacted and payments would be submitted directly to them. 

Student Loan Payment Instructions for Federal Student Loans (Subsidized & Unsubsidized):

1. Log in to the Federal Student Aid website with your (the student's) FSA ID. This is the same user name and password combination that is used to log in to the FAFSA.
2. Next to "MY AID," click on "VIEW DETAILS."
3. Under the "LOANS" tab, scroll down to view your loan breakdown, which includes your loan balance and who to contact regarding making a payment.

TIPS:

• Students whose loan has been assigned to Nelnet or Great Lakes have the option to make a payment on the Federal Student Aid website. Other servicers must be contacted directly.
• Students may want to consider paying down on their unsubsidized loan first, as this loan typically accumulates interest (interest may capitalize and increase the principal amount of the loan, causing the total amount due to increase over time) as compared to subsidized loans.
• Avoid potential scams by only making payments to servicers that are listed in your FSA account. 

Private Student Loan Payment Instructions:

Students who borrowed a private student loan are encouraged to consider repayment of these loans first, depending on the terms and conditions of their loan. Typically, private student loans have a higher cost as compared to federal student loans. Students should contact their lender directly to make payment arrangements.

Student Financial Services will send a follow-up email to students with these instructions on how to navigate their FSA account and to find their loan servicer's information.

Thank you for your patience during this process.  If you have questions, please email Student Financial Services at sfs@delhi.edu or call 607-746-4570.

Sincerely,

Carol Bishop
Vice President for Finance and Administration

Dear Students and Families,

We hope that you are doing well and staying healthy as we all work to do our part to help minimize the spread of COVID-19.  We appreciate your patience as we continue to work to finalize student room and meal credits, as well as test our systems to ensure a smooth process for everyone. 

Eligible students will receive a 45% pro-rated credit for room and meal plan charges for the Spring 2020 semester. Students with commuter plans will receive meal credits based upon actual unused plan balances. Credits will first be applied toward current outstanding account balances. Any remaining credit balances will be refunded on or around May 15, 2020.

Any applicable refunds will be issued to students based on their refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements. Students can set up a preference, or make changes to their current preference, by visiting the BankMobile website.

While timing is still uncertain, students who need to return to campus to complete the hands-on lab work necessary for applicable courses and require on-campus housing may be charged weekly for room and meals provided.   Please be aware that students who were dismissed from campus for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for any credits.

Additional Information for Loan Borrowers:

Students who have borrowed a student loan and are eligible to receive a refund will have the opportunity to make a voluntary payment towards their loan balance, thus reducing the amount to pay back when repayment begins. Students can log in to their FSA account at the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid website to view their outstanding federal student loan balances and to find information about their loan servicer(s). Loan servicers can be contacted and payments would be submitted directly to them.

Student Loan Payment Instructions for Federal Student Loans (Subsidized & Unsubsidized):

1. Log in to U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid website with your (the student's) FSA ID. This is the same user name and password combination that is used to log in to the FAFSA.
2. Next to "MY AID," click on "VIEW DETAILS."
3. Under the "LOANS" tab, scroll down to view your loan breakdown, which includes your loan balance and who to contact regarding making a payment.

TIPS:

• Students whose loan has been assigned to Nelnet or Great Lakes have the option to make a payment on the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid website website. Other servicers must be contacted directly.
• Students may want to consider paying down on their unsubsidized loan first, as this loan typically accumulates interest (interest may capitalize and increase the principle amount of the loan, causing the total amount due to increase over time), as compared to subsidized loans.
• Avoid potential scams by only making payments to servicers that are listed in your FSA account.

Private Student Loan Payment Instructions:

Students who borrowed a private student loan are encouraged to consider repayment of these loans first, depending on the terms and conditions of their loan. Typically, private student loans have a higher cost as compared to federal student loans. Students should contact their lender directly to make payment arrangements.

Student Financial Services will send a follow-up email to students with these instructions on how to navigate their FSA account and to find their loan servicer's information.

Thank you for your patience during this process.  If you have questions, please email Student Financial Services at sfs@delhi.edu or call 607-746-4570.

Sincerely,

Carol Bishop
Vice President for Finance and Administration

Updates regarding the COVID-19 situation will be placed on this web page and sent via Delhi Today, our SUNY Delhi email.  It is important to check your email daily for updates and information. There are also some informative additional resources available on the current health situation, which include the CDC web page on how to protect yourself and others, and the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker.  

Our faculty and staff are continuing to work diligently to help our students be successful, and our students are working hard to complete their Spring 2020 coursework.  Any student who has a question or concern about their classes is urged to contact their instructor for assistance.

As you may be aware, the Governor’s Pause mandate has been extended until May 15, which means that all non-essential employees are required to work from home and students may not return to campus at this time.  When the Pause mandate has been lifted, the campus will communicate with students via email on how to retrieve their belongings in the residence halls, and when students will be able to complete any outstanding lab requirements for their spring classes.

Refunds and credits for unused housing and meals are being processed, and information regarding that process will be sent to students via email from the Office of Student Financial Services.

The campus is working on contingency plans for various scenarios that will allow students to maintain academic and non-academic continuity in the summer and fall semesters, and how to best celebrate commencement.  Please continue to monitor your email for updates.

Please refer to the Covid-19 FAQ page for frequently asked questions.  If you do not find the answer to your question, please refer to the Contact Us page to direct questions to the appropriate offices.

Dear Delhi Broncos Class of 2020,

Being successful at SUNY Delhi is a great accomplishment, and we are proud of your commitment to earning your degree this semester. There is no greater pleasure as a president, advisor, instructor, supervisor, or friend than to watch our students celebrate their achievements at commencement. Unfortunately, in order to combat COVID-19, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone our May 2020 commencement ceremony. We share your great disappointment with this decision, but given the circumstances, it was simply unavoidable.  

Please know that for the majority of graduating seniors, this change will not affect the awarding of your degree. As usual, students who complete their degree requirements in time for Spring 2020 conferral will receive their diplomas by mail. For students whose degrees require the completion of obligatory lab hours, arrangements will be made as soon as possible to have those labs completed. Please continue to read your Delhi email daily for updates.  

You have worked very hard to reach this critical milestone in your life and we are excited to share a celebration with you. We are reviewing alternatives for our traditional commencement ceremony and how we can best celebrate your success and achievements. We will share the details of our plans as soon as possible. 

However, at this time, we must focus on two primary concerns: first, your health and safety, and second, supporting you in reaching the finish line of graduation in this remote learning environment.

Again, we share your disappointment in the postponement of commencement and we sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding as we work toward an alternative during these unprecedented times.

Together, we will get through this and come out stronger than ever before. Regardless of our situation, we are here for you to support you and celebrate with you as you earn your degree. Remember, it is always a great day to be a Bronco!

All my best,
Dr. Michael R. Laliberte
President

Dear SUNY Delhi Campus Community,

In light of the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, I have made the difficult decision to suspend all on-campus lab-based instruction that was scheduled to begin on Monday, April 20. Instead of returning to campus at that time, students who were planning to participate in those labs will remain at home and study remotely for the remainder of the semester. In order to reduce the risk of infection and to keep our community safe, all labs will be postponed until a later date.

Students who are currently residing on campus are required to move out of their residence halls and return home by 5 p.m. this Sunday, March 29. Details for the moving process will be communicated in a separate email to students later today. Students with extenuating circumstances who wish to remain on campus must complete the Extenuating Circumstances Form to apply for an exemption by noon on Friday, March 27. Information regarding refunds and credits for housing and meals will be sent next week to all students.

Our faculty have been diligently working on preparing for the transition to remote learning which will begin this Monday, March 30. Coursework that can be completed remotely will be delivered via online learning for the remainder of the semester. We ask all students to monitor their email closely for information from faculty about course expectations. Any graduating senior who needs lab hours to complete coursework for their degree will be offered the opportunity to do so once the situation improves. Instructors will work with students to complete their lab-related requirements as soon as the situation allows.

Due to the current circumstances, I have also made the decision to postpone graduation until a future time when we can celebrate the completion of degrees for our graduating seniors. Details regarding commencement will be communicated as soon as we are able to make those arrangements. We hope to schedule commencement after the graduating students have had the opportunity to complete their labs.

I want to thank you for your patience and support during this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. Our commitment continues to be on the health and wellness of our campus community, and academic continuity for our students. I am grateful to each of you for your flexibility and support while we work through this situation together.

Sincerely,
Michael R. Laliberte
President

SUNY Delhi continues to be on spring break this week, with remote instruction starting on Monday, March 30. Currently enrolled students are strongly encouraged to read their emails daily as student-specific information and updates will be sent via email.

Please remember to actively engage in preventative measures to keep yourself and others healthy. Social distancing and following the advice of the CDC and other health care agencies is vital at this time to reduce the spread of germs. 

SUNY Delhi will work with students to determine the amount of credits or refunds for residence halls and meal plans in the coming weeks. 

We will continue to update this web page and send out information via Delhi Today as changes occur. Thank you for your continued support and patience during this time. 

SUNY Delhi continues to modify our academic plan as necessary to minimize potential risk to our campus community while maintaining academic continuity for our students.   

As a reminder, spring break has been extended until March 29. Starting on Monday, March 30, all coursework will be delivered remotely. For the majority of students, remote learning will continue through the end of the semester.   

In limited situations, students may be required to complete lab work for particular courses or certifications, and may be asked to return to campus after April 19. Students in this situation have already been notified by their academic department. 

We are developing a process for students who will not be returning to campus for classes to move out of residence halls in the manner safest to the campus community and will forward that information soon. Individuals should not initiate residence hall check-out until that official guidance is provided.  Please hold your calls regarding residence hall check-out until after you receive communication from the Residence Life staff in your student and parent email.   

SUNY Delhi will work with returning students and seniors to determine the amount of credits or refunds for residence halls and meal plans in the coming weeks. 

We will continue to update this web page and send out information via Delhi Today as changes occur.  Thank you for your continued support and patience during this time. 

New Academic Plan for SUNY Delhi

In response to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation and the announcement that Delaware County has declared a state of emergency, SUNY Delhi has developed an updated comprehensive plan. These updates will minimize our population density and maximize social distancing on our campus and assist students with completing their coursework this semester.

Effective immediately, SUNY Delhi will implement the following schedule.

Today, Sunday, March 15 - Sunday, March 29: Two-week spring break 
During this time, there will be no instruction and students may leave campus to go home at any time. Once students leave, they cannot return until April 19.  However, no student will be required to leave campus. Any student staying must notify their Resident Director or the Office of Residence Life before 5 p.m. on Monday, March 16. Before leaving for Spring Break, all students are reminded to take their personal items, textbooks, and instructional materials, including a device that will allow them to connect to the internet. Please remember to take your medications, personal hygiene items, and other personal belongings you will need for the next five weeks.

Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 17: ONLINE instruction ONLY
Details for online instruction will be emailed to students by their instructors.

Sunday, April 19
Residence halls will open at noon. Students will return to SUNY Delhi for in-person instruction for the remainder of the semester.

Monday, April 20 - Friday, May 8: In-person instruction on the SUNY Delhi campus
Students will complete coursework and/or lab instruction on-campus to meet course and certification requirements. 

Monday, May 11- Friday, May 15: Last Week of Instruction
Students will make up course requirements or to take finals to complete the semester.

Saturday, May 16: Commencement
The commencement is still being planned, but we will send an update if a cancellation or any changes are necessary in accordance with directives from SUNY or the Department of Health. 

The COVID-19 situation requires all of us to remain flexible. Information may change on a daily basis, requiring us to amend this schedule. Please continue to monitor your email and this page for the most up-to-date information.

At this time, the campus will remain open and fully staffed.

Thank you,

Dr. Michael R. Laliberte
President

Campus Updates and Q&A

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

SUNY Delhi has always been deeply committed to our campus community’s safety and well-being. The recent crisis surrounding COVID-19 has caused individuals to question that fact and has even prompted others to make unfounded claims about conditions and plans for our campus. We have been working diligently to develop a plan that works for all those involved. It has taken some time to formulate our plan and to get it approved. I apologize to you for this perceived lapse in communication, as it has always been our intent to get to you the most accurate and complete plans as quickly as possible. Due to the complicated nature of this crisis, this has taken more time than anticipated. Now that we have a more complete plan, I want to take this opportunity to let you know how, together, we will keep our campus safe and well, while continuing to promote student success and deliver high-quality academic programs throughout this trying time.

Many of you have either read about or watched the Governor's comments from yesterday. He made a number of declarative statements regarding SUNY that have since been clarified. The timeline that he shared regarding the movement of the SUNY curriculum delivery from in-person to online/alternative instruction was meant to target those institutions that are presently on spring break or are soon to be on spring break. That timeline does not coincide with SUNY Delhi's plans. Our spring break is not scheduled to start until April 3, which is three weeks away. Therefore, our timeline is different. Additionally, as you well know, a SUNY Delhi education is truly defined by a hands-on approach to learning, meaning that our students learn by doing. This is difficult to capture in an online environment. We needed to create other opportunities for students to gain the experience and skills necessary to successfully fulfill the requirements of their programs.

As a result, the Academic Leadership Team has been creative and innovative in developing a plan that works with our academic calendar and our unique course offerings. The plan, outlined in this letter, will be more fully explained and clarified at meetings scheduled with the Deans of each of the academic schools on Friday, March 13.  Every student is required to attend their school's scheduled meeting, as this is where they will learn the details that are specific to their individual academic program. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to speak with their Dean and other faculty members and get answers to specific questions. We hope that these sessions help to quell your fears and provide you with a clear understanding of responsibilities and expectations during this difficult time.

SUNY Delhi Plan Information Sessions:
On Friday, March 13, each academic school will host information sessions for students. Some schools, because of their size, will offer two sessions. You only need to attend one. Every student is required to attend their school's scheduled meeting. At these meetings, the Deans and faculty will inform students of the new schedule and manner in which classes will be delivered. Each schedule will vary, as they are based on academic programs. These sessions will provide the details and necessary information you will need to keep moving forward.

School of Applied Technologies and Architecture: 8 a.m. at Clark Field House Gym

School of Nursing: 9 a.m. at the Okun Theatre

School of Liberal Arts and Sciences: 10 a.m. at the Okun Theatre OR 11 a.m. at the Okun Theatre

School of Business and Hospitality Management: 11 a.m. at Alumni Hall upstairs OR 3 p.m. at Alumni Hall upstairs

School of Veterinary and Applied Sciences: 12 p.m. (noon) at 104 Evenden Tower (pit)

SUNY Delhi Plan:

• Beginning Monday, March 16, students will have lab-intense class sessions. All labs will be delivered in person. The new schedule is intended to ensure that all labs required for programmatic accreditations, licensures, certificates, and hands-on requirements can occur before spring break.
• Spring break will begin on Friday, April 3, and end on Monday, April 13. There will be no instruction during this time. However, students who would like to stay on campus during the break are welcome to stay in their residence hall rooms. Foodservice will be available.
• Beginning Monday, April 13, all classroom instruction will be available through alternative delivery systems until the end of spring semester. This system may include online instruction, project-based learning, Zoom meetings with faculty, etc. These methods are dependent on the classes that you are taking. This information will be shared with you at the academic school meeting on Friday, March 13.
• During this time, and throughout the remainder of the semester, the campus residence halls and some dining venues will be open. Students are welcome to remain on campus. However, if you go to any area where the infection rate is high (Westchester County, NYC, etc.), you will be required to be isolated for 14 days before you can rejoin the residence hall community.

At this time, the SUNY Delhi community remains at low risk for exposure to the COVID-19. We ask that students refrain from going home or to high-risk areas during these next three weeks, so we can maintain our low-risk status. In order to further reduce the campus density and risk of exposure, the following campus conditions have been put in place:

• Effective immediately, only SUNY Delhi students, faculty, and staff will be allowed in the residence halls.
• All events and activities are being evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Updates will be communicated via Delhi Today and BroncoConnect.
• CADI dining locations will be open only to SUNY Delhi students, faculty, and staff.
• Residence halls will remain open and dining services will remain available until the end of the semester, including during spring break, unless there is a major development in the situation.
• Effective immediately, the Trailways bus will only pick up and drop off at the downtown location. Bus tickets will still be available to students at the Barnes and Noble bookstore.
• Any student who is concerned about symptoms, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath, and who has been to an area with confirmed cases of COVID-19, is asked to call ahead for an appointment to the Health and Counseling Center in Foreman Hall at 607-746-4690.

As part of our comprehensive planning, we are reviewing the issuance of refunds and plans for commencement. More information will be forthcoming as the situation continues to develop. Please continue to read your email daily for additional messages and monitor our website for more detailed answers to specific questions. 

This evolving situation may be stressful and cause uncertainty. We are doing our best to address all concerns. I sincerely appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.  

- Dr. Michael R. Laliberte
President - SUNY Delhi

The campus leaders met today regarding SUNY Delhi’s response to COVID-19. We developed a comprehensive plan that is currently under review at SUNY. We are awaiting their feedback and will send a detailed announcement to the campus community by early evening.

This is a follow-up to the announcement sent earlier this afternoon.

As of today, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the SUNY Delhi campus or in Delaware County. Therefore, in accordance with SUNY guidelines, SUNY Delhi has made the following decisions:

• The college will remain open.
• Students will not be sent home.
• Classes will be held as scheduled.
• The campus will operate under our regular schedule.
• Athletic teams will continue to compete as scheduled.

In case of a major development in the virus outbreak, SUNY Delhi will adjust our response with advisement from SUNY, NYS Department of Health, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Any updates will be communicated through Delhi Today and the SUNY Delhi website.

For clarification on Governor Cuomo’s press conference today (3/11/20), please see the NYS Governor webpage.

Currently, there is no immediate cause for alarm for the SUNY Delhi community as there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within our students, faculty, and staff. Therefore, we will operate under our normal routine, while constantly monitoring the situation. We would like to remind our campus community about the advised precautions from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) regarding this emerging public health threat.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) can lead to symptoms of fever, cough, and difficulty breathing (lower respiratory illness). The college is partnering with SUNY, CDC, and the NYSDOH in monitoring the situation and encourage the campus community to take preventative measures outlined in the March 3rd update.

Prevention

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against COVID-19. We would like to remind the campus community that it is still flu and cold season and the CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine. Flu shots can be obtained at Walgreens in Delhi, at any pharmacy, or your personal healthcare provider.

You can take normal preventative actions to reduce your risk of not only COVID-19, but also colds and the flu.

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you feel sick, stay home or in your room and avoid contact with others.
• If your symptoms worsen, seek medical care from the Health Center (students) or your personal healthcare provider (faculty & staff).

Important Health Information For Those Who Have Recently Traveled Internationally
If you have recently traveled to countries the CDC has identified with a high risk for transmission (China, Iran, South Korea, Italy, Japan, or Hong Kong)  and feel sick with a fever, cough, or shortness of breath (or develop these symptoms) you should:

• Seek medical care right away.
• If you are a student, contact the Health Center for advice. Please call before presenting at the clinic.
• If you are a non-student, contact your personal healthcare provider. Please call before presenting at their office or clinic.
• Avoid contact with others. Stay home or in your room if you’re ill and isolate yourself from roommates, except for seeking medical care.
• Avoid further travel until the illness resolves.
• Follow the preventative measures outlined above.

• If you have questions about symptoms or information related to the virus, please call the NYSDOH COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the New York State Department of Health website for more information.
• SUNY Health Alert Information
• Center for Disease Control COVID-19 Information & Resources
• World Health Organization COVID-19 Information & Updates
• Local NYS County Health Departments 

Advice on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus to SUNY Students, Faculty, & Staff

Recently, a new coronavirus - 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus - was detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China that has not been previously found in humans. This coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and shortness of breath. There are hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside of Wuhan and additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally, including the United States.

Important Health Information For Those Who Have Recently Traveled to China:

If you recently traveled to China and feel sick with fever, cough or trouble breathing, or you develop symptoms, you should:

• Seek medical care right away. Call ahead and tell them about your travel and symptoms.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Stay home if you’re ill and isolate yourself from roommates, except for seeking medical care.
• Avoid further travel until the illness resolves.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Symptoms:

Human coronaviruses commonly cause mild-to-moderate illness in people. Symptoms can include:

• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Fever

How Does 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus Spread?

Since this virus is very new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. It is known to spread from animals to humans, and it also may be spread from person to person. It’s not clear yet how easily Novel (New) Coronavirus spreads from person-to-person. It’s important to know this in order to better understand the risk associated with this virus.

Prevention

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against human coronavirus infection. To reduce your risk of infection:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment available for any coronavirus. People infected with coronavirus should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms.

What to do if you have recently traveled to Wuhan China and become sick?

• If you are a student, contact the campus health center for advice. Please call before presenting at the clinic.
• If you are a non-student, contact your personal healthcare provider. Please call before presenting at their office or clinic.

Additional Resources

• CDC: Coronavirus
• World Health Organization: Coronavirus