library building exterior in spring

Campus Update and Fall 2020 Plan

July 8, 2020

SUNY Corning Community College’s Fall 2020 plan has been approved by the State University of New York (SUNY) and addresses New York State Phase Four Reopening New York Higher Education Guidelines.  The College will provide students, employees, partners, and visitors the safety, quality programming and collaboration, flexibility, and student support needed as we restart on campus operations.

Fall classes will begin on August 17, and will include face-to-face options, online remote (synchronous), and online (asynchronous). New layouts for each classroom have been established within the parameters of proper social distancing. Many face-to-face classes will have a regular but reduced meeting schedule as part of the class will meet face-to-face each class day for reduced campus and classroom density. Classroom and lab disinfection are another safety measure for face-to-face classes. The College’s computer labs have also been reconfigured to enforce social distancing. 

The Student Emergency Grant Program will continue to provide grants for Internet hotspots, and the College will continue the Laptop Loaner Program, made possible with laptops from SUNY. While we are excited to see students back on campus, we understand that many will prefer and need our distance learning options. Student activities will continue to be available primarily remotely. Students will receive regular updates throughout the summer indicating the instruction format of scheduled classes as well as health and safety information. We are working hard to prepare for a great fall semester for all students.

The Fall 2020 Academic Calendar has been revised to allow for completion of final exams prior to Thanksgiving due to COVID-19.  Classes will run from August 17 through November 18, with a final exam period from November 19-25.  Semester breaks will be suspended for the Fall 2020 term to best align with health and safety guidance from SUNY and travel guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Perry Hall, the College’s residence hall, will follow CDC occupancy guidelines. 

The College will adhere to hygiene and sanitation requirements from the CDC and the Department of Health (DOH). The College has purchased a quantity of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, face shields, gloves, and thermometers for screening. Staff members will be issued cloth face masks upon their return to campus with replacement masks available upon request. Hand sanitizing, social distancing, and face masks are part of the restart of campus operations for students and employees. College employees physically working on campus will complete daily health screenings.

Screening will be conducted according to the NYS Forward protocols for faculty, students, and staff. Contact tracing protocols will be in place to provide names of people who may have been exposed to a person who has tested positive. The College will cooperate with the Health Department in the event of a COVID positive test for someone who has visited the campus. 

Here is the full Restarting Campus Operations plan. Due to the ever evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation, this plan is subject to change.  New information, guidance, and/or direction from the State of New York and the Governor’s Office may necessitate revision.