It is hard to believe that it has been 20 months since the college went remote in March 2020. We are now starting yet our fourth semester with Covid protocols in place (not counting winter and summer sessions.)

Before I start outlining the current plan for the next couple of weeks, I want to thank everyone for all the hard work that they have done the past 20 months. It is easy to get caught up with the daily grind and miss the amazing work we have done educating our students during a worldwide pandemic.

Okay, time for the update. As always this is based on the best information available today.

• Non-classroom faculty who are currently using alternating on-campus work schedules will continue the practice through January 21, 2022, to keep population density nearer to 75%. The college will monitor Covid rates to determine when we can return to 100% capacity. The FA is advocating to reduce the seat limit for spring semester classes.
• All wintersession classes will be conducted either online or remotely.
• Students will not be able to register for in-person classes unless they have been vaccinated or received an exemption.
• Employees who are not vaccinated will be required to be tested weekly. If you have been vaccinated and have not sent a copy of your vaccine card, please send your proof of vaccination to human resources. You can scan and email your vaccination card, or you can call HR and drop it off. Please send in your proof of vaccination regardless of your teaching modalities in the spring.
• The mask mandate will remain in place. Face coverings/masks will be required in classrooms and inside all college buildings, labs, offices, common spaces and facilities.
• Everyone on campus should social distance when possible.
• Faculty will be notified if one of their students in an on-campus class tests positive. The college administration will conduct contract tracing and provide guidance to the faculty member.
• Employees need to notify human resources at covid@sunysuffolk.edu if they test positive for Covid or have had close contact with someone who tested positive for Covid.
• Faculty who test positive for Covid or need to quarantine can continue to teach their classes remotely using one of the modalities approved in the class makeup policy. If you are too ill to teach, you can request a substitute. You will not need to use leave time if the Suffolk County Department of Health requires you to quarantine or isolate.
• Enrollment in online and remote classes has been far more robust than on-campus classes. If this continues, it is possible that faculty might need to exceed the 40% cap for regular load. This will require the FA to sign another MOA with the college.
• It is possible that we will be required to start the semester remotely based on guidance from SUNY or the Suffolk County Department of Health. The college will be sending periodic updates on what to expect for the spring semester.

The FA will continue to work with administration to provide a safe work environment. The spring semester will be extremely challenging due to the fact that vaccinated people can catch and transmit the Omicron variant. Dante and I both serve on the college safe start task force and will make recommendations based on what is happening on our campuses and our communities.

Finally, here are some guidelines for staying safe on campus:

1. If you medically able, please get vaccinated. If you are vaccinated, please consider getting a booster. People who have been infected with Covid have much better outcomes when they are vaccinated and boosted.
2. Wear masks indoors and make sure the people that you interact with are masked. If students refuse to wear a mask, contact public safety (631-451-4242). If employees refuse to wear a mask, contact your immediate supervisor and/or campus executive dean.
3. Administration will conduct contact tracing and provide instructions if one of you students or colleagues catches Covid. Please follow their instructions.
4. Please carefully monitor your health and do not come to campus if you are experiencing Covid symptoms.
5. The college provides free Covid testing and is looking to expand testing hours. You don’t need an appointment and it usually takes less than 10 minutes. Please consider testing weekly even if you are vaccinated; this is a benefit that is not offered in very many workplaces.
6. If a student informs you that they tested positive for Covid, contact the associate dean of students on your campus ASAP. If you test positive for Covid, contact human resources ASAP.

As always please contact me or contact Dante if you believe you are working in an unsafe work environment.