Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

March 12, 2020

A Message from the President

Dear Campus Community,

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans to move all SUNY and CUNY instruction to distance learning for the remainder of the semester.  As a preventative measure, SUNY has directed all campuses to develop a plan for distance learning and other instructional modalities in response to novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  SUNY Niagara campus leaders remain in close consultation with the Niagara County Department of Health and SUNY not only regarding response plans in the event that a member of our community should test positive in the future, but also regarding guidance for large gatherings and events.

Below is the SUNY Niagara COVID – 19 Action Plan:

Spring Break – March 16-20, 2020

• No changes; College will be closed
• Housing students may request to stay in residence halls if it provides a safer environment.

Week of March 23-27, 2020

• Classes cancelled
• Faculty will use this week to prepare to move from traditional face-to-face course instruction to online or other alternative teaching methods (see below regarding labs, etc.); faculty must resume office hours to keep in touch with students.
• Students are encouraged to contact College personnel via email and phone.
• Online, email, or phone advisement is strongly recommended.
• Faculty should keep in touch with students via Starfish or other appropriate methods and encourage visiting the College website for updates.

Starting March 30, 2020 – until further notice

• Classes resume; alternative teaching methods begin
• Campus will remain open and all teaching faculty should provide class instruction to students according to their distant learning plan.
• Faculty will begin teaching online or other modalities; faculty must continue to hold office hours to keep in touch with students; Nursing and Allied Health clinicals, labs, science labs, and unique software-enhanced courses such as CADD will be held on campus as long as they are held in smaller groups.  These students are able to attend on campus.  Exceptions to the general rule of teaching online or other modalities MUST be vetted through the Office of Academic Affairs.
• The college is open; however, individuals must distance themselves from others.  Students are able to use the library and tutoring services in ACE.  According to the Governor and the Chancellor, all colleges must attempt to “reduce the density of exposure” to reduce the spread of the virus.

Housing Students

• Spring Break: no changes; Housing will be closed
• Housing students may request to stay in residence halls if it provides a safer environment.
• Students may stay in housing during Spring Break if a notification form is completed and delivered to the housing main office, by 3 p.m. on Friday, March 13.
• There will be no on-campus dining services from Saturday, March 14 through Sunday, March 22.
• Please contact the Housing Office via email at housing@niagaracc.suny.edu if your housing plans change.
• Students who left campus during Spring Break are allowed to return to housing on Sunday, March 29.
• The campus shuttle will resume services on Sunday, March 29.

Employees

• Teaching faculty must execute individual work plans.
• Student employees should report unless they contact their supervisor with alternative arrangements.

Dining Services

The G-Building Snack Bar will re-open on Monday, March 23.  Tim Hortons and the C-Building Snack Shop will remain closed until further notice.

Child Development Center

The Child Development Center will be closed the week of March 23 – 27.  Parents or guardians who use the Child Development Center can contact the Center at 716-614-6245 for more information.

Athletics

The women’s NJCAA National Basketball Tournament has been postponed until further notice. Please check with the athletic website at: https://www.ncccathletics.com/landing/index for possible postponements or schedule changes.

On-Campus Activities

Most campus activities have been cancelled or postponed. Please check the website for any updates or cancellation notices at http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/.

Workforce Development and Continuing Education

For information on specific Workforce Development and Continuing Education classes- please go to the website for the most up to date information: http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/wd/

Health

While there is currently no vaccine to prevent this virus, these simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Additional information about the virus can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Update/Contact Information

Given the rapidly changing nature of the coronavirus outbreak, campus leadership and coronavirus task force will be monitoring the situation next week while the College is on Spring Break.  We will provide updates on any changes that may affect our campus community as it becomes available. Any new information will be posted on the SUNY Niagara homepage at:  http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/.

Please make sure you are signed up for the RAVE alert system, so that we can notify you via a Rave alert if that becomes necessary at:  http://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/ems-public/

Students should make sure their T-wolves account and your passwords are up to date.

Thank you for your assistance in helping to maintain a healthy campus.

Sincerely,

Wm. J. Murabito, Ph.D.
President