As federal, state, local, and SUNY health guidance changes due to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, SUNY Poly’s rules will also evolve as the institution receives new guidance and/or regulations are promulgated. SUNY Poly reserves the right to change its policy in regards to these matters and will provide updates as needed on the SUNY Poly website. To submit a question that may not be included on this webpage, please email COVID19-FAQ@sunypoly.edu.
Can my friends visit me in my residence hall room on campus?
Guests to the residence halls are defined as other currently registered SUNY Poly students. Visitors to the residence halls are defined as anyone who enters the residence halls who is not currently a student or a faculty/staff member tasked with working in the residence. Both student guests and visitors will be permitted to visit the residence halls in accordance with Residential Policy on Guests and Visitors.
At all times, all guests and visitors must be escorted and in the presence of a host that is a resident of the building they are visiting.
Guests and visitors must be in compliance with visitation policy, maximum stays, and obtain prior approval of all roommates and suitemates.
Please refer to the Student Handbooks, Residential Policies and Procedures for a list of all guest and visitor policies prior to visiting a residence hall at SUNY Poly.
How is indoor air quality being addressed on campus?
SUNY Poly is increasing outdoor airflow (ventilation rates) in indoor settings to the extent it is compatible with individual comfort and safety, equipment capabilities, and in accordance with building codes and standards, as well as applicable lease, contract, or other use agreement requirements.
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Epidemic Task Force has continued to assess and shared the potential for airborne transmission of COVID-19 within buildings. To that end, SUNY Poly continues to follow the current and emerging guidelines regarding mechanical and ventilation systems. SUNY Poly is using a combination of increased outside air, which reduces the volume of potentially impacted air being recirculated, in addition to running the ventilation systems longer and increasing particulate filtration.
Because the air handlers in the Cayan Library, Student Center, Field House, and Campus Center were designed for and currently use MERV-13 or 14 filters, those buildings will continue to use the Building Management Systems to increase the ventilation rates, further mitigating risk. Similarly, SUNY Poly is increasing ventilation rates and has replaced the existing MERV-8 filters with MERV-13 filters in Kunsela and Donovan Halls. ASHRAE recommends schools and universities install filters with a minimum rating of MERV-13 (or the maximum MERV the system can handle) to improve air filtration and slow the transmission of viruses in HVAC systems, and SUNY Poly is meeting or exceeding this recommendation.
Air Exchanges (state buildings):
We normally (i.e., pre-COVID-19) ventilate with a minimum of 15% outdoor air. The current recommendation from the SUNY HVAC Task Force is to double the minimum outdoor air to 30%. These are the recommended minimums and we will normally provide more outside air, unless weather conditions require it to be lowered in order to maintain comfort in the building.
Residence Halls:
Adirondack and Mohawk residence halls are not designed with air handler systems (systems that operate to heat, cool, and ventilate building space). Instead, the buildings have baseboard radiant heat and natural ventilation through doors and windows.
The new Hilltop Hall residence hall has a robust, energy efficient heating and cooling system using ground-source geothermal heat pumps. For ventilation, the building has an energy recovery unit that is controlled to increase outdoor air use and increase fresh air exchanges in the building. The final filter for these units is a MERV-13 filter.
The Oriskany Hall energy recovery units are fitted with a minimum of MERV-13 main filters. For ventilation, the building has energy recovery units that are controlled to increase outside airflow rates and fresh air exchanges.
Classrooms and Laboratories:
The campus is maximizing outdoor air with the building's air handling and control systems. In order to manage building conditions, occupant comfort, and air exchanges, windows should not be opened in buildings. Fume hoods are expected to be operated as designed and are typically operated 24/7 especially if chemicals are maintained within the hood. Changes to Fume Hood operation should be reviewed with the Facilities Department to ensure proper air flows for occupant protection. Snorkel or localized fume removal systems (e.g. Additive manufacturing) must be operated any time equipment is being used where fumes or vapors may be released (e.g. 3D printing). Laboratories with exhaust hoods will exhaust air directly outside (i.e., air is not recirculated), and these labs are connected to a Make-up Air Unit (MAU) that takes outside (exterior) air in, heats or cools it if needed, and discharges it to the lab to replace the exhausted air.
What happens if a sick employee reports to campus?
Any employee who is presenting infectious illness (e.g., COVID-19) symptoms should not report to their on-campus workplace. Employees should report their condition to their supervisor and Human Resources and immediately seek medical guidance and/or testing for COVID-19.
If an employee is symptomatic upon arrival at work or becomes sick with infectious illness (e.g., COVID-19) symptoms while at the workplace, absent close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19, the employee should return home immediately and may return to work after following the appropriate testing and/or quarantine/isolation procedures.
Negative Test Result: Individuals who become symptomatic but have a negative COVID-19 test results should continue to stay home or in isolation while sick and consult their health care provider about the need for additional testing and when to resume normal activities.
Positive Test Result: Employees who have tested positive must self-isolate until they meet the requirements for isolation as indicated by the CDC. They must notify Human Resources immediately and inform their supervisor they will not be reporting to work on campus. Supervisors must not disseminate this information to others.
What is the difference between “fully vaccinated” and “up to date”?
SUNY uses the term “fully vaccinated” regarding students and their presence on campus during the semester. All students are expected to be “fully vaccinated” when present on campus (unless they have been granted an exemption). The CDC uses the term “up to date” regarding vaccines and boosters when eligible.
Individuals 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.
Individuals are considered “up to date” regarding vaccinations when they have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for them, when eligible. View the CDC’s information.
What if I received a COVID-19 vaccine other than the Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson vaccines?
We recommend you visit the CDC website for information on vaccines.
When possible, faculty, staff, and students should be vaccinated with a FDA-authorized or -approved vaccine. In addition, guidance suggests that booster vaccinations are strongly encouraged for all who are fully vaccinated.
I received an Explanation of Benefits from my insurance company after COVID-19 testing through a COVID-19 test center or lab. Am I being charged for this test?
At this time, many test centers and labs are collecting insurance information, and are billing insurance companies for COVID-19 testing services. The Explanation of Benefits you receive is not a bill but rather a statement that your insurance company sends that summarizes the costs of health care services you received. Some test centers and labs require up-front payment for testing services. Please review any test fees with your insurance company as well as the testing site in advance for more information.
At this time, anyone who is within 6 feet for 15 minutes or longer within a 24-hour period with a known COVID-19 positive individual is considered a close contact. CDC guidance can be found here.
SUNY Poly’s guidance, and the CDC guidance remain the same since January 2022 - if not up-to-date with vaccine/booster, then a close contact individual must quarantine at home for 5 days following exposure (Day 0). They can leave quarantine after Day 5 with an approved, well-fitting mask. If symptomatic, they should remain in quarantine and test. Testing is encouraged at least on Day 5 and is highly recommended again before Day 10.
Please note: Masks do not change close contact status, nor does whether the contact occurred outdoors versus indoors. Both reduce risk, but close contact determinations do not consider indoor versus outdoor settings.
At this time, face coverings are not required except in specific circumstances (i.e., in the Wellness Center when student health services are operating, in Quarantine / Isolation rooms/areas on campus, upon return to campus on Days 6-10 following COVID-19 infection, or for the 10 days after a close contact exposure), or when notified of a campus-wide or additional return to mandatory face covering policies. Any changes will be communicated to the campus community.
Will SUNY Poly provide employees with masks during the COVID-19 pandemic?
When available, SUNY Poly provides disposable and reusable masks to students and employees. Distribution and availability of different types of masks varies by campus. When available, the SUNY Poly community will be notified how masks can be obtained.
SUNY Poly is providing a variety of face coverings to our campus community. Please feel free to provide your own masks. They should meet the generally accepted standards for approved face coverings. Many styles and types of masks are readily available online and in many local retailers. KN95s, while disposable, are designed to be worn multiple times safely. In addition, surgical masks and/or 3-ply disposable masks are available in dispensers in each Administrative and Academic building in Utica, and by visiting the NFE 4th floor President’s suite during regular hours.
Only those individuals identified as having an occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 or other particulate or contaminant requiring N95 respirators as a result of their daily or routine job activities (e.g., direct patient care, cleaning/disinfection activities, quarantine & isolation, handling obviously or likely contaminated materials such as laundry or air filters) are provided N95 or similar respirators as required for their protection. Voluntary use of N95 respirators is allowed during pandemic situations involving respiratory disease. However, anyone who voluntarily uses these devices must be aware of the risks (consult your health care provider if you have health conditions that may be affected by N95 use), and must be provided with the following mandatory information as required by OSHA (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134AppD).
Complimentary KN95 masks are being made available to employees and individuals returning from isolation or quarantine while supplies last for the remainder of the 10-days, and may use the KN95 Request Form to request additional masks. To use the request form, you will need to sign in to the form using your @SUNYPoly.edu / SITNET ID. In addition, students returning from isolation or quarantine will be provided these masks for the remainder of the 10 days from the Wellness Center. Please refer to the CDC guidance on mask wearing and the different types of masks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/types-of-masks.html
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