Spring COVID Guidelines and Recommendations for New and Returning Students: Dear Alfred University students: We hope you all had a relaxing and fulfilling holiday season and look forward to your arrival on campus over the next two weeks for the start of the Spring semester! Prior to your return, we want you to be aware of the latest information on COVID. COVID continues to have a significant impact in New York state, as well as the rest of the country. The State of New York has imposed updated policies required of all businesses, colleges and universities, and other organizations operating in the state. This email provides you with some important information you need to know prior to your arrival Alfred University. There will also be a Zoom meeting for students and parents on Friday, January 7th, at 12:00 noon, ET. You can access the Zoom meeting using this link: https://alfredu.zoom.us/j/94538067630?pwd=RXZ4M2FMblUxa0IzMG5lOFRxcjlOdz09 • All students must provide documentation of a negative COVID test administered by a medical professional within 72 hours prior to January 14th at 12:00 noon ET (a home test will not be accepted); please submit test verification documents to this link: https://healthdocs.alfred.edu/. (Please visit this link for assistance in finding local testing sites: https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html) • Any student not submitting documentation of a test will not be allowed to attend classes • Please be sure to schedule your COVID test as soon as possible to ensure you are able to be tested within 72 hours of January 14th; if the result of your test is positive, please do not plan to arrive at the University until your isolation period has expired (5 days) and your symptoms have gone, and notify Student Affairs of your delay • All students are required to have received either 2 Moderna or Pfizer doses or 1 Johnson & Johnson dose before arriving at Alfred University; (if you have not updated the Wellness Center with your vaccination status, please do so as soon as possible using this link: https://healthdocs.alfred.edu/) • Exemptions for strongly held religious beliefs and medical reasons will be considered; any student (on or off campus) receiving an exemption will be required to be tested weekly (if previously approved for an exemption you do not need to reapply) • All students are strongly encouraged to have a COVID booster shot before arriving for the Spring semester; quarantine policies have recently been reduced for individuals who have been “boosted” so we encourage you to do so • For those who have not received a booster before arrival, two booster clinics will be offered—January 21st at Alfred University and January 27th at Alfred State College; the times for each clinic will be announced in advance; for those who have received a booster shot, please send your updated vaccination cards to: https://healthdocs.alfred.edu/ • Contact tracing will continue through the Spring semester for those identified as having come into contact with an individual who has tested positive; the quarantine period for unvaccinated students and students who have not received a booster identified through contact tracing will be 5 days; quarantine is not required for vaccinated and boosted students if no symptoms are present • Those who test positive for COVID in weekly testing or who self-present at the Wellness Center and test positive will be required to isolate for five days and wear a mask for the following 5 days • All students are encouraged to get a flu shot before arriving at Alfred University; flu clinics will be conducted on campus based on need or request • Once on campus, masks are required for all students in any University building (including classrooms); masks may be removed in dining halls/facilities while eating. Students are not required to wear a mask while in their residence hall room • Please remember to bring well-fitting masks with you; we recommend N95 masks that are “NIOSH” certified; we have a limited supply for students who do not bring one or cannot obtain one The staff and faculty of Alfred University remain committed to providing a safe, healthy college experience. Your cooperation and compliance with the steps above will help us achieve a full, in-person semester. Once again, we are looking forward to your arrival! Alfred University COVID Test Team