COVID-19 Campus Update: Dynamic COVID Alert and Masking Framework

The start of a new academic year is quickly approaching. If you’ve been following media reports, you know that the pandemic remains a fluid, dynamic situation. Changes to public health guidance are still occurring frequently. We should all be proud that Syracuse University will start the fall semester as one of the most highly vaccinated campuses in the nation. Currently, more than 90% of our combined student and employee population is fully vaccinated against the COVID virus. And while breakthrough infections of vaccinated individuals are occurring as the experts predicted, the data is clear that the vaccine is performing its No. 1 function extraordinarily well—which is to prevent vaccinated individuals from experiencing serious illness and hospitalization.

Effective today, Syracuse University will implement a four-tiered COVID alert system and associated masking framework, designed as a tool to communicate and dynamically adjust campus masking requirements over time, based on an ongoing assessment of rates of new infection, testing data and contact tracing information unique to our campus and local community. This new framework is described below.

COVID and Masking Alert Framework

The four levels of the campus COVID alert and masking framework are color-coded and correlate to specific on-campus masking requirements applicable to students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. The four tiers of this new framework are as follows:

·         GREEN: indicates a low level of transmission risk on campus, and correlates with the following masking policy:

o    Masks Required: All unvaccinated students, faculty, staff and visitors on campus indoors at all times, and outdoors when in the presence of others

o    Masks Optional: All vaccinated students, faculty, staff and visitors—indoors and outdoors

·         YELLOW: indicates a moderate level of transmission risk on campus, and correlates with the following masking policy:

o    Masks Required: All unvaccinated students, faculty, staff and visitors on campus indoors at all times, and outdoors when in the presence of others

o    Masks Recommended: Vaccinated students, faculty, staff and visitors while indoors in the presence of others, and outdoors in large group settings

·         BLUE: indicates an elevated level of transmission risk on campus, and correlates with the following masking policy:

o    Masks Required: All unvaccinated students, faculty, staff and visitors on campus indoors at all times, and outdoors when in the presence of others

o    Masks Required: All students, faculty, staff and visitors (vaccinated and unvaccinated) in the following settings:

§  During academic instruction (inclusive of classrooms, laboratories and lecture venues)

§  During non-academic events, on a case-by-case basis, as determined by a public health risk assessment. These changes will be communicated directly as appropriate.

o    Masks Recommended: Vaccinated students, faculty, staff and visitors while indoors in the presence of others, and when outdoors in large group settings

·         RED: indicates a high level of transmission risk on campus, and correlates with the following masking policy:

o    Masks Required: All students, faculty, staff and visitors (vaccinated and unvaccinated) accessing the Syracuse University campus, indoors at all times and outdoors in the presence of others. At this alert condition (RED), the following masking exceptions are permitted for students, faculty and staff only:

§  Students while in their own residence hall room

§  Vaccinated employees while alone in private offices, personal workstations or when working independently outdoors on campus

Please note that all individuals—regardless of vaccination status and/or campus alert level—are required by New York State law to wear a mask on public transit (including the Syracuse University Shuttle) and when visiting any health care facility (including the Barnes Health Center and the Kimmel Testing Center). In addition, the above framework does not apply to events held at the Syracuse University stadium, where masking and other COVID prevention policies will be prescribed based on local and state public health orders.

Establishing, Adjusting and Communicating Campus Alert Levels

The Syracuse University Public Health Team, in collaboration with local and New York State public health officials, will recommend adjustments to the campus COVID alert level, based on their ongoing assessment of campus and community testing data, contact tracing information, and other factors indicative of COVID prevalence and transmission within the campus community.

As of today, Friday, Aug. 13, our COVID alert level is BLUE.

Moving forward, any changes to the alert level and associated masking policy will be announced in the following ways:

·         campus email;

·         text message;

·         Twitter: @SUCampus and @SyracuseUNews;

·         Facebook: @SUCampus and @SyracuseUniversityNews; and

·         Syracuse.edu/staysafe and news.syr.edu.

If you have not already done so, please log into your MySlice account to be sure your Orange Alert settings are up to date prior to the start of the semester.

Continuing Campus Resources and Infrastructure Modifications

As we have since the start of the pandemic, the University will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our campus and Central New York community. At the same time, we are also committed to delivering a robust and engaged residential campus experience. We absolutely can accomplish both these objectives. To do so will require a dynamic, flexible and data-driven approach to navigating the constantly evolving COVID situation on campus, in our community and across the U.S. Still, a great many of the COVID-related campus resources and infrastructure modifications we implemented last year will remain in place for the upcoming academic year. These include:

·         free and readily accessible testing for students, employees and employee families;

·         enhanced ventilation and air filtration in classrooms and public spaces;

·         free and accessible isolation and quarantine housing for students; and

·         transparent and frequent communication related to the COVID situation on campus.

Syracuse University COVID-19 Dashboard Updates

Effective Monday, Aug. 16, the Syracuse University COVID-19 Dashboard will transition from a summer schedule of once weekly updates, to updates each Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. The University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is where members of our campus community can access data and statistics regarding the COVID situation on campus.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to supporting the safety and wellness of all members of the Syracuse University and Central New York Community. Please continue to visit Syracuse.edu/staysafe for the latest COVID guidance.

Sincerely,