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May 10, 2021
To Faculty and Staff:
Recent developments, including increasing vaccination availability and new SUNY, state,
and federal guidelines, have made it possible to begin restoring the traditional campus
experience. Our residence halls will approach full capacity, and athletics and student
activities will be restored, consistent with state and federal guidance. A return
to in-person learning is necessary for FSC to continue to deliver the exceptional
educational and applied learning experiences for which we are known.
As previously noted, FSC expects to welcome students for in-person living and learning
in the Summer and Fall 2021 semesters. Of course, our face-to-face courses and programs
will strictly follow relevant health and safety guidelines.
A number of staff and offices have already begun to safely return to campus at varying
scales.
Beginning in early July, we will transition from primarily virtual to largely face-to-face
classes, office hours, and in-person services. Department supervisors will be asked
to develop a staffing plan to provide coverage for offices that meet the needs of
the College while assuring the health and safety of our campus community. Offices
will have on-campus staffing four days per week. We expect to alternate staff on a
Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday basis. That is, some of those who work in an
office or department will be on campus on Mondays and Wednesdays. Others will return
on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Most staff will work remotely on Fridays. As we approach
fall, some staff may have flexible schedules, provided this proves beneficial both
to the College and employees. Again, this will be implemented consistent with evolving
guidance and requirements from NYS and SUNY.
At present, we expect to require a six-foot distance between those who are working
in campus offices and enclosed spaces. This distancing requirement should be accommodated
by the alternating M/W and T/TH schedule.
We have just learned that SUNY students with an on-campus presence will be required
to be vaccinated for the Fall 2021 semester contingent upon the vaccines receiving
full FDA approval. COVID vaccines are widely available to all adult New Yorkers, and
I encourage you to avail yourselves of the opportunity to be immunized. Although we
lack explicit guidance from SUNY, use of face coverings indoors and in group settings
may remain in effect, as well as some level of COVID testing. Our understanding from
the CDC is that fully vaccinated people need not participate in routine testing. We
await further information.
The academic schedule built by the Provost's and Registrar’s offices maximizes the
use of campus space to permit a safe return consistent with physical distancing requirements.
For Fall 2021 we will not have our typical activity hour as we needed to make use
of spaces to accommodate current requirements. We have, however, tried to minimize
the number of courses and sections offered in that time block.
We anticipate a return to on-campus activities and events consistent with current
requirements, and expect some limits on indoor gatherings to remain in effect. This
return to work information will be discussed during the May 13 Administrative Council
meeting which will have time for questions and answers and subsequently a Town Hall
meeting will be held.
John Nader
President
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