Alfred State Student Code of Conduct Addendum COVID-19 Public Health Emergency On August 23, t he FDA granted full Additional Responsibilities & approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid- 19 vaccine. In accordance with SUNY’s Requirements for Students mandatory vaccine policy, all students must submit proof of vaccination by (Fall 2021) Friday, September 24, or have been granted an exemption by the College. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in accordance with the College’s original reopening plan, an addendum was made to the Student Code of Conduct for the purpose of communicating and enforcing student responsibilities. Throughout the 2020-21 Academic Year, this addendum was modified several times to reflect SUNY policy and the evolving needs of the College. This policy has again been amended to reflect the College’s Fall 2021 COVID-19 Plan and will continue to be updated throughout the academic year as necessary. Returning students will note that some of the prior expectations have been eased for vaccinated individuals. In addition, the uniform sanctioning guidelines established by SUNY during the Fall 2021 Semester, and subsequently incorporated into the Code of Conduct, are no longer in effect. The expectations below shall take precedence over any contradictory language within the Code of Conduct. Section 3.5 d. Public Health Emergency Safeguards: All students, commensurate with their vaccination status and setting, are responsible for actively complying with the precautions the College has established to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Such mitigations may include the use of personal protective equipment (PPE); observing physical/social distancing; complying with all expectations concerning gatherings and hosting guests; quarantining or isolating as directed; and participating in testing and daily screenings. Range of Sanctions: Violations of this section shall be addressed using the College’s full range of sanctions including Disciplinary Warning, Probation, Deferred Suspension, Suspension, Expulsion and removal from campus housing. When identifying the appropriate sanction(s) to impose in response to a COVID-related offense, hearing officers/panels will consider the student’s current disciplinary status (if any), the number and severity of any previous COVID-related violations, and the actual and potential risks that the student’s behavior posed to the campus community. Information: The following sections identify specific behaviors that are expected or prohibited pursuant to the College’s Fall 2021 COVID-19 Plan: 1. Repopulation of Campus a. For Fall 2021 on-campus activities, any student who will (1) live on campus, (2) take at least one class on campus, (3) utilize services on campus (e.g., library, gym, dining), or (4) work on campus, must: i. Present evidence of vaccination upon return; or participate in on-campus COVID- 19 entry testing; or submit a negative test taken within 3 days of arrival; or present documentation of a positive diagnostic result from a COVID-19 infection during the prior 3-month period (for temporary exemption from testing). ii. Un-vaccinated students must quarantine for 10 days before arriving to campus. b. Residential students will be assigned an arrival date and time (morning or afternoon) and must adhere to that schedule. Athletes or other students with approval to arrive early must likewise adhere to their assigned check-in date/time. COVID-19 Code of Conduct Addendum Page 2 of 2 2. Vaccinations & Exemptions a. Proof of vaccination must be received through Health & Wellness Services by 4pm on Friday September 24th. This is the last business day before automated de-registration occurs at 12:01 a.m. on Monday September 27th. Currently vaccinated students are supplying proof of vaccination during the campus check-in process. For others who will be vaccinated after check-in, you may contact [email protected] or call 607- 587-4200 to coordinate verification of your vaccination records. b. For those limited number of students who are planning to submit an exemption request, we will need to receive the request by August 30th. Those submitting exemption requests will receive a response within 5 business days (one week) of receipt. The forms for Religious Exemption and Medical Exemption are online. Completed forms and questions about exemptions can be sent to [email protected]. 3. Masks and Social Distancing a. Vaccinated individuals i. All students, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to mask indoors in all shared settings to begin the Fall Semester as a precaution while the campus is being repopulated. This policy will be reviewed during the second week of classes and may be relaxed for vaccinated students if testing data indicates that community transmission rates remain low. b. Social Distancing i. Individuals who are not vaccinated or fully vaccinated are responsible for continuing to wear masks on campus and should, where practicable, continue to observe social distancing in indoor settings, such as instructional space (e.g., classrooms, laboratories, studios). c. Campus discretion: i. The campus may impose additional mask wearing requirements and additional terms or restrictions within the instructional setting (e.g., no eating or drinking) above and beyond the CDC guidance. d. Special consideration: i. Pursuant to the CDC, “A person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act” may submit a request to the campus for consideration of an exemption from mask wearing based on a medical accommodation, regardless of vaccination status. 4. Testing a. In addition to the arrival requirements for students, the following monitoring, screening, and testing protocols shall be observed during the Fall 2021 Semester: i. Mandatory weekly testing will continue to be required for any person who has a physical presence on campus and who has not been fully vaccinated or who has not shown proof of vaccination. ii. Fully vaccinated students may opt-out from mandatory weekly testing upon the submission of documentation showing completion of a full vaccination series and will only need to participate periodic testing. iii. Students who have had a positive test will not participate in surveillance testing for 90 days from the date of their positive test. Upon conclusion of the 90 days, they will be included in regular surveillance testing per the campus plan. 5. Residence Hall Visitation a. Non-student visitors are not permitted in the College’s residence halls at this time. Re-Authorized: Alfred State College Council – August 12, 2021 1 2021-2022 COMMUNITY STANDARDS: STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Alfred State is first and foremost an institution of learning and teaching, committed to serving the needs of society. Our campus community reflects and is a part of a society comprising all races, creeds, and social circumstances. The successful conduct of the College’s affairs requires that every member of the college community acknowledge and practice the following basic principles: • We affirm the inherent dignity in all of us, and we strive to maintain a climate of justice marked by respect for each other. We acknowledge that our society carries within it historical and deep-rooted misunderstandings and biases, and therefore we will endeavor to foster mutual understanding among the many parts of our whole. • We affirm the right of freedom of expression within our community and affirm our commitment to the highest standards of civility and decency toward all. We recognize the right of every individual to think and speak as dictated by personal belief, to express any idea, and to disagree with or counter another’s point of view, limited only by College regulations governing time, place, and manner. We promote open expression of our individuality and our diversity within the bounds of courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. • We confront and reject all manifestations of discrimination, including but not limited to unjust or prejudicial treatment based on age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. This policy of nondiscrimination extends to admission, financial aid, housing, counseling, educational programs, athletic activities, and placement, as well as to all aspects of employment. We recognize and cherish the richness contributed to our lives by our diversity. We take pride in our various achievements and we celebrate our differences. • We recognize that each of us has an obligation to the community of which we have chosen to be a part. We will strive to build a true community of spirit and purpose based on mutual respect and caring. i STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards Student Leadership Center 409 Telephone: 607-587-4065 Fax: 607-587-3207 PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY As members of Alfred State, we choose to be part of an academic community dedicated to those principles that foster personal and professional integrity, civility, and inclusion. We strive toward lives of personal integrity and academic excellence – We will encourage in ourselves, and in one another, those responsible actions which lead to lives of productive work, personal enrichment, and useful citizenship in an increasingly interdependent world. We commit to treat one another with civility – Recognizing that there will be differences of opinion, we will explore these differences in a courteous