Vaccination Requirement

SUNY COVID Guidance (PDF 152kB) requires that students either verify that their COVID-19 vaccination series is complete, or obtain an exemption, to attend any in-person college course.

Pursuant to SUNY Policy, students are considered fully vaccinated for the initial course of vaccination: (1) two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two dose COVID-19 vaccine series or (2) two weeks after receiving a single dose COVID-19 vaccine.

All students are encouraged to stay updated with their COVID-19 boosters. Individuals are eligible for a booster if more than six months have passed since their initial vaccine series.

Special Note: Please note that at this time, only fully vaccinated students are approved to register for onsite study groups and classes.

Students who are not registered for in-person classes or study groups, but who will utilize campus facilities in person on a limited basis must use the Envoy app to affirm they are vaccinated or attest to the fact that they are using the campus on a limited basis. Onsite residencies sessions are considered limited-use. Off-site residencies are subject to the location’s COVID protocol.

Verifying Your Vaccine and Booster

Non-NYS Residents

Screenshot your vaccination card.
• Screenshot(s) should include your full name, date of birth and clearly list all vaccine dose information, including any booster doses.
• Email screenshot(s) to covidvaccine@esc.edu.

NYS Residents

Access the SUNY Vaccination Verification Application. Log in by selecting your campus and using your username and password.

Enter your vaccination information as it was provided at the time of your vaccination appointment.

If applicable, select an exemption type. If you do not already have an exemption on file, you will be contacted with instructions for applying for an exemption.

Click Verify. Your information will be submitted to SUNY system for verification.

Applying for a Medical or Religious Exemption or Accommodation

Please Note: Any student granted and exemption will be required to test for COVID-19 on a regualr basis.

Temporary Medical Accommodation

If you need time to become fully vaccinated or to obtain a booster, you may apply for a temporary medical accommodation. This includes students who are not yet fully vaccinated or boosted, and international students who received a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized or approved by the FDA or the World Health Organization. Please submit requests to covidvaccine@esc.edu. Requests will be reviewed, and a decision made within five business days.

To get vaccinated, you may use the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling System. Many private companies and pharmacies also offer COVID-19 vaccines. Please check with your local providers for more information.

Medical Exemption

Students may be exempt from the vaccine requirement if a licensed health care provider certifies in writing that the COVID-19 vaccination may be damaging to your health. SUNY Empire will provide reasonable accommodations for these students if they need to do in-person studies.

Please complete the COVID-19 Medical Exemption Form fillable 9-1-2021 (PDF 181kB), including the medical provider certification and submit to covidvaccine@esc.edu. Requests will be reviewed and a decision made within five business days.

Religious Exemption

Students who hold religious beliefs that are contrary to the COVID-19 vaccination may be granted an exemption. Please complete the SUNY EmpireCOVID-19 Religious Exemption Form fillable 8-30-2021 (PDF 77kB) and submit to covidvaccine@esc.edu. You must explain how receiving the COVID-19 vaccine conflicts with your religious beliefs or practices. Philosophical or moral objections to the vaccine will not be accepted as a religious exemption. Students granted a religious exemption will be subject to certain restrictions. Requests will be reviewed, and a decision made within five business days.

Mask Requirement

Based on CDC guidance, in-house testing positivity rates, location density, vaccination rates, and other criteria outlined in SUNY’s spring guidance, Empire State University lifted the mask mandate for vaccinated employees, students, and visitors effective March 2, 2022, for all locations.

Individuals at university sites located in third-party locations, such as community colleges or military bases, must follow the masking requirements of the host organization. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should feel free to continue to do so.

Empire Entry Registration Requirement

Any student or visitor checking into a location must follow the Empire Entry procedure powered by the Envoy Protect app. The app is a quick and convenient way to sign in and out of our campus locations, ensure students and visitors are checking in to monitor capacity and visitor activity. Empire Entry is part of our ongoing effort to keep our community healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each time you visit a SUNY Empire location, you will be required to complete the Empire Entry process, using the Envoy app. Simply access the Envoy app on your smart device and register at that location at least one hour before arriving by signing in.

COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols

SUNY Empire maintains its cleaning and disinfection frequency to keep our locations clean and safe for the return of faculty, staff, and students. SUNY Empire has adopted all recommended disinfecting protocols.

Our locations are cleaned daily. High-touch areas are disinfected more frequently on a regular schedule though out the week. Disinfecting kits, including anti-virus sprays, wipes, and hand sanitizer, are provided for your safety and may be used to sanitize your workspace.

Positive Tests

If you test positive, local county departments of health and NYS Department of Health rules will apply.

If you have a positive COVID-19 result, are symptomatic, and have been in one of our locations in the last five days, please contact covid@sunyempire.edu. Please provide the date of your positive result, the date of the start of your symptoms (if applicable), and the last date you visited a college location.

For more information on positive tests, quarantine, and isolation requirements, please visit the NYS Department of Health website.

Failure to comply with our protocols will result in referral to the student conduct officer and may result in disciplinary action.

Vaccinations

I’m coming to campus only once this semester to meet with my mentor. Do I still need to verify I’m vaccinated?

No. Only students registered for in person study groups or classes are required to provide proof of vaccination. 

How do you define fully vaccinated?

Per SUNY Policy, people are considered fully vaccinated: (1) two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two dose COVID-19 vaccine series or (2) two weeks after receiving a single dose COVID-19 vaccine.

All students are encouraged to stay updated with their COVID-19 boosters.

Do I need to have a COVID vaccination or exemption on my record in order to register for classes?

No, you do not. However, if you are planning on attending in-person courses or study groups you will need to verify your vaccination status.

What are my options if I decide not to get vaccinated?

If you are not vaccinated and do not have a medical or religious exemption, you must attend all classes virtually. Only vaccinated students may attend in-person classes or study groups.

I’m fully vaccinated, but am attending all classes online or remotely, and have no plans to come to a location. Do I need to let anyone the university know I’m fully vaccinated?

You do not need to let anyone know that you are fully vaccinated unless you plan to attend an in-person course or study group.

Exemptions and Accommodations

How do I obtain a medical exemption?

Students may be exempt from the vaccine requirement if a licensed health care provider certifies in writing that the COVID-19 vaccination may be damaging to your health. SUNY Empire will provide reasonable accommodations for these students if they need to do in-person studies.

Please complete the COVID-19 Medical Exemption Form fillable 9-1-2021 (PDF 181kB), including the medical provider certification and submit to covidvaccine@sunyempire.edu. Requests will be reviewed and a decision made within five business days.

How do I obtain a religious exemption?

Students who hold religious beliefs that are contrary to the COVID-19 vaccination may be granted an exemption. Please complete the SUNY Empire COVID-19 Religious Exemption Form fillable 8-30-2021 (PDF 77kB) and submit to covidvaccine@esc.edu. You must explain how receiving the COVID-19 vaccine conflicts with your religious beliefs or practices. Philosophical or moral objections to the vaccine will not be accepted as a religious exemption. Students granted a religious exemption will be subject to certain restrictions. Requests will be reviewed and a decision made within five business days.

Who is eligible for a temporary medical accommodation?

If you need time to become fully vaccinated you may apply for a temporary medical accommodation. This includes students who are not yet fully vaccinated and international students who received a COVID-19 vaccine not authorized or approved by the FDA or the World Health Organization. Please submit requests to covidvaccine@sunyempire.edu. Requests will be reviewed and a decision made within five business days.

To get vaccinated, you may use the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling System. Many private companies and pharmacies also offer COVID-19 vaccines. Please check with your local providers for more information.

How do I schedule an appointment for vaccination or booster?

To get vaccinated or boosted, you may use the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling System. Many private companies and pharmacies also offer COVID-19 vaccines. Please check with your local providers for more information.

Visiting a Location

Can I meet with SUNY Empire staff, faculty and mentors in person?

Yes. We encourage you to make an appointment before showing up to a location to ensure that the individual you wish to meet with is in the office and available on that day and time. Each time you visit a SUNY Empire location, you will be required to complete the Empire Entry process, using the Envoy app.

How do I make an appointment?

Please contact the individual or office you wish to meet with via email or phone call to schedule an appointment.

Are there protocols for entering a location?

When you visit a location, we ask that you make an appointment, sign in using the Empire Entry procedure powered by the Envoy app or kiosk at our location entrances, and follow all posted protocols. All students who have been granted either a temporary or permanent medical or religious exemption must continue to wear masks while attending in-person classes or study groups. Additionally, you may be asked to submit to COVID-19 surveillance testing.

What is Empire Entry?

Empire Entry is a location-based sign-in system powered by the Envoy Protect app. It provides a quick and convenient way to sign in and out of our university locations, and ensure students and visitors are checking in to monitor capacity and visitor activity. Empire Entry is part of our ongoing effort to keep our community healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  All records are kept according to SUNY Empire privacy policies. 

How do I get the Empire Entry app?

Download the Envoy app on your Apple or Android device.

What if I don’t have a smart device or am otherwise unable to download the app?

If you do not have a smart device or are unable to register before your arrival, you may complete Empire Entry upon arriving at your location by accessing the iPad kiosk at the main entrance of each location.

When do I sign in? Do I have to do it every time I go to a different location?

You should sign in at least an hour ahead of your arrival. You can also schedule your arrival at a site up to 24 hours in advance on the app. Students who need to enter multiple locations on a given day must submit a new registration for each location and sign out upon leaving.

Do I need to sign out when I leave a location?

You must sign out upon leaving using the Empire Entry app or iPad kiosk at the building’s main entrance.

I am vaccinated. Do I need to wear a mask?

No.

Regardless of location, individuals who have been granted either a temporary or permanent medical or religious exemption must continue to wear masks on campus. Additionally, individuals at university sites located in third-party locations, such as community colleges or military bases, must follow the masking requirements of the host organization. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask should feel free to continue to do so.

What if I don't comply with SUNY Empire's COVID-19 protocols?

Failure to comply with our protocols will result in referral to the student conduct officer and may result in disciplinary action.

What happens if I test positive?

If you test positive, local county departments of health and NYS Department of Health rules will apply.

If you have a positive COVID-19 result, are symptomatic, and have been in one of our locations in the last five days, please contact covid@sunyempire.edu. Please provide the date of your positive result, the date of the start of your symptoms (if applicable), and the last date you visited a college location.

For more information on positive tests, quarantine, and isolation requirements, please visit the NYS Department of Health website.

SUNY Empire currently requires staff to work onsite in our locations. Exceptions are made for those who have approved telecommuting agreements or approved alternate work accommodations.

For further details, please see the SUNY Telecommuting Policy

Revised Guidance for State Agencies Affirmation (PDF 167kB)

SUNY Telecommuting Policy (file 57kB)

 

Masking

At this time, SUNY Empire is not requiring masks for vaccinated persons. However, SUNY Empire requires unvaccinated faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear a mask inside its locations unless the building itself has a stricter guideline. All SUNY Empire visitors should accept and follow any specific building requirements set by the building management.

SUNY Empire leadership continues to monitor the evolving response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will adjust our requirements based on any changes in infection rates.

Meetings and Conferences

In-person meetings and conferences can once again be scheduled at our locations. We do suggest having a virtual option for those who are still sensitive about face-to-face group interactions. Please reach out to our support team with any specific questions at covid@sunyempire.edu.

Room Capacities

As of March 2022, all rooms returned to their original capacities.

Travel

If approved by your department, travel may resume based on business needs.

Food

Since general mask requirements have been rescinded, eating and drinking is now permitted at events.

Cleaning Procedures

SUNY Empire is resuming normal cleaning operations for daily tasks. We have disinfection tools and services available should we need to deploy them in response to an event.

Hand-sanitizing stations will remain in common areas in all buildings and will be checked/restocked daily. Campus departments can request additional cleaning supplies (wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.).  Employees who need supplies should inquire with their office or department support staff. Supplies will be distributed to departments by work order.