COVID-19 Updates

Westchester Community College’s COVID-19 plans were developed with recommendations from federal, state, and county health professionals to keep the community safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. As the situation concerning the pandemic and the vaccine continue to be fluid, note that our plan will remain subject to change due to new information and updated guidance and/or direction from the State of New York and the Governor’s Office.

COVID-19 HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS – SUMMARY

March 28, 2022

• The wearing of masks is mandatory.
• Social distancing is no longer required while on college property; however, it is recommended for unvaccinated individuals.
• All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must monitor symptoms daily, stay home if they are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and report any COVID-19 positive test results to Health Services at COVIDreporting@sunywcc.edu.
• All students entering college property need to comply with COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements. See below.

Mask Requirement Update

May 13, 2022
Effective Monday, May 16, 2022, the wearing of a mask/face covering on SUNY Westchester Community College property is mandatory indoors and is optional outdoors.

This mask requirement change is being made based upon the current COVID-19 conditions at the college and in our county and state and together with the most recent guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, New York State Department of Health, State University of New York, and Westchester County Department of Health.

When the College’s Pandemic Response Team (PRT) determines there is an improvement to the current COVID-19 conditions or related changes are made to the federal, state and/or local guidance, WCC will return the masking policy to optional.

STUDENT VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

March 17, 2022

Any student regularly entering college property for reasons including, but not limited to taking an in-person class, attending a college-sponsored program or activity, utilizing student services, or working a job on site, must have one of the following on file with the College:

1. Proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination.*
2. An approved medical exemption.
3. An approved religious exemption.

*Complete COVID-19 vaccination is defined as students who have submitted documentation to the college that they received either the second dose in a two dose COVID-19 vaccine series or a single dose COVID-19 vaccine.

Students will not be able to register for in-person classes until they have satisfied the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement noted above.  See IN-PERSON COURSE REGISTRATION section below for more details.

BOOSTER REQUIREMENT

March 28, 2022

Per new guidance from SUNY, effective today, WCC is updating its COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Requirement Policy. While SUNY is continuing to require the booster for all students, outcomes for non-compliance are being updated.

Spring 2022:

• Non-compliant students* are no longer subject to a withdrawal from all their in-person classes.
• Non-compliant students will instead be subject to weekly required COVID-19 testing and may be restricted from engaging in certain college programs/events/activities.

Fall 2022:

• Students do not need to submit proof of a booster at the time of registration. Non-compliant students can register for Fall 2022 in-person classes starting March 28, 2022.Students will still need to have submitted proof to the college that they received either the second dose in a two dose COVID-19 vaccine series (i.e. Moderna or Pfizer) or a single dose COVID-19 vaccine (i.e. Johnson & Johnson) before they can register for in-person classes.
• Non-Compliant students will be subject to the following for Fall 2022: (1) increased frequency of required COVID-19 testing; and (2) a restriction from certain college programs/events/activities.Please note, updated guidance from SUNY and/or the state, may result in a change to outcomes for non-compliance, which could result in a non-compliant student being withdrawn from all in-person classes and becoming ineligible for a refund of tuition or fees.

*A non-compliant student with the COVID-19 Booster Requirement is considered an individual who is eligible for a COVID-19 Booster but has not provided proof to the college that they have received one.

SPRING 2022 STUDENT REQUIREMENTS

March 28, 2022

VACCINATED STUDENTS

• Must receive a COVID-19 Booster shot when eligible.  The college will send a separate message to vaccinated students when they are eligible and will include a deadline when vaccinated students need to provide proof of compliance. See BOOSTER REQUIREMENT section above.
• Must participate in randomized COVID-19 surveillance testing when selected to do so.Those required to take a surveillance test will be sent email notifications to their MyWCC emails.  Those selected will be required to take a PCR test at the Westchester Medical Center (WCC’s testing partner).  Students will need to comply by the deadline provided to them.  Students who do not comply will be subject to increased frequency of required COVID-19 testing and may be restricted from engaging in certain college programs/events/activities.
• Students who have received a booster shot are exempt from surveillance testing.

STUDENTS WITH APPROVED MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS

• Must participate in mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing at the Westchester Medical Center (WCC’s testing partner). The College will regularly send separate messages to students with approved exemptions with details reminding them about their required weekly COVID-19 surveillance test. More information about testing can be found here.
• Failure to comply will result in a student being restricted from accessing campus property.  Students restricted from accessing campus property will not be eligible to attend in-person classes (though they may continue in remote coursework) and their parking privileges on campus will be temporarily revoked such that their car may be ticketed or towed if parked on campus.
• The college has the right to limit access to some areas of campus as well as some activities or events in order to ensure the health and safety of our community.
• In the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 on campus, the college reserves the right to mandate that unvaccinated students be restricted from campus for a period of time to be determined in consultation with the Westchester County Department of Health.

In-Person Course Registration

March 28, 2022

• Students do not need to submit proof of a booster at the time of registration.  Non-compliant students can register for Fall 2022 in-person classes starting March 28, 2022.Students will still need to have submitted proof to the college that they received either the second dose in a two dose COVID-19 vaccine series (i.e. Moderna or Pfizer) or a single dose COVID-19 vaccine (i.e. Johnson & Johnson) before they can register for in-person classes. 
• Non-Compliant students will be subject to the following for Fall 2022: (1) increased frequency of required COVID-19 testing; and (2) a restriction from certain college programs/events/activities.Please note, updated guidance from SUNY and/or the state, may result in a change to outcomes for non-compliance, which could result in a non-compliant student being withdrawn from all in-person classes and becoming ineligible for a refund of tuition or fees.

*A non-compliant student with the COVID-19 Booster Requirement is considered an individual who is eligible for a COVID-19 Booster but has not provided proof to the college that they have received one.

STUDENT COVID TESTING REQUIREMENT

February 2, 2022

All students entering college property need to comply with COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement (see above).

Students With Approved Medical Or Religious Exemptions 

Any student who has received an approved exemption to being vaccinated will be required to complete a weekly COVID-19 test.

To satisfy a WCC testing requirement, students must be tested at one of the following:

1. Valhalla testing site of the Westchester Medical Center

OR

2. On Campus in the Technology Lounge (Available Mondays, Tuesdays & Saturdays ONLY)

Vaccinated Students

Students who are completely vaccinated, but not yet taken a booster shot, must participate in randomized COVID-19 surveillance testing when selected to do so during the Spring 2022 semester. Those required to take a surveillance test will be sent email notifications to their MyWCC emails.

To satisfy a WCC testing requirement, students must be tested at one of the following:

1. Valhalla testing site of the Westchester Medical Center

OR

2. On Campus in the Technology Lounge (Available Mondays, Tuesdays & Saturdays ONLY)

Students will need to comply by the deadline provided to them.  Failure to comply will result in disciplinary procedures as detailed in the Student Code of Conduct.

Students who have received a booster shot and submitted documentation to the college are exempt from surveillance testing.

For more information about how to schedule a test, what to bring with you to your testing appointment, outcomes for students who fail to comply, and more, please visit the COVID-19 Testing Page.

OTHER COVID 19 HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

March 28, 2022

Social distancing is no longer required while on College property; however, it is recommended for unvaccinated individuals.

The wearing of masks is optional.

All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must monitor symptoms daily, stay home if they are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and report any COVID-19 positive test results to Health Services at  COVIDreporting@sunywcc.edu.

UPDATES & STUDENT COMMUNICATIONS

Students are required to regularly check their MyWCC college emails as this is the official method the college communicates with students.  Students are responsible for all information sent to a student in their MyWCC email. To learn about how to activate and access your MyWCC college email, please visit: https://www.sunywcc.edu/studentemail.

Students are also encouraged to regularly check the College’s website and social media to remain current with the latest COVID-19 policies and requirements.

Modes of Instruction

Descriptions of Instructional Modalities

HYBRID-FLEXIBLE (HyFlex) Combination of synchronous online and in-person instruction modes. Your course will meet on campus (in-person) on scheduled days and times; however, you may attend remotely via Blackboard and Zoom. Remote students are integrated with the live class by the instructor.

Coming to Campus

March 28, 2022

The WCC Pandemic Response Team has developed its plan for re-emergence following the guidance of state and local health and government authorities, as well as the extensive input provided by employees and students of the college through numerous town halls and surveys.

All STUDENTS coming to campus MUST report their proof of completed COVID vaccination or request an exemption by following instructions found at www.sunywcc.edu/immunizations.

If you are vaccinated, but have not yet taken a booster shot:

• You are not required to participate in the weekly COVID-19 PCR testing regimen. However, you must participate in randomized COVID-19 surveillance testing when selected to do so during the Spring 2022 semester. Those required by random selection to take a surveillance test will be sent email notifications to their MyWCC emails.
• The wearing of masks is optional.
• The practice of social distancing is no longer required.

If you are vaccinated and have received a booster shot:

• You are exempt from surveillance testing.
• The wearing of masks is optional.
• The practice of social distancing is no longer required.

If you are not vaccinated:

• You must receive a weekly COVID-19 PCR test at Westchester Medical Center’s Valhalla Campus
• The wearing of masks is optional.
• It is recommended that you practice social distancing whenever practicable

Visitors

NOTE: All visitors to the Valhalla Campus must check-in at the security desk in the Gateway Building lobby Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Employee COVID Testing Requirements

• Unvaccinated employees – MUST continue to be PCR COVID-19 tested weekly at WMC, unless otherwise approved by Human Resources
• Vaccinated plus boosted employees – asked to be tested at WMC or other convenient location before the start of the Spring 2022 semester. To find a testing location near you, visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you. Expenses incurred at non-WMC sites will not be eligible for reimbursement from the College. Employees who have been fully vaccinated and received a booster will NOT be asked to participate in surveillance testing during the Spring 2022 semester.
• Vaccinated but NOT boosted employees – asked to be tested at WMC or other convenient location before the start of the Spring 2022 semester. To find a testing location near you, visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you. Expenses incurred at non-WMC sites will not be eligible for reimbursement from the College. Employees who have been fully vaccinated but did NOT receive a booster will be asked to participate in surveillance testing during the Spring 2022 semester.
• Surveillance testing – all vaccinated employees with a physical presence on campus will be required to take a PCR test at the Westchester Medical Center (WCC’s testing partner) each month, except those employees who have received a vaccine booster are exempt from this surveillance testing.

For further information on COVID-19 testing protocols for employees, visit COVID-19 Testing

Returning to Campus after Exposure to or Testing Positive for COVID-19

All students and employees, vaccinated or unvaccinated who test positive for COVID-19, must isolate for 5 days. Such individuals may return to school or work after day 5 of their isolation period, provided they:

1. have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of over-the-counter medications;
2. symptoms have resolved or have improved.
3. wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.

For students and employees who are exposed * to COVID-19:

1. If not fully vaccinated, quarantine for 5 days and if symptom free, return to your college facility and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
2. If fully vaccinated, NOT boosted, and eligible for a booster, quarantine for 5 days and if symptom free, return to your college facilities and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
3. If fully vaccinated and boosted (with the booster completed at least 2 weeks before the first date of exposure), no quarantine is required, but these individuals should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 10 days after the last date of exposure.
4. If the employee tested positive for COVID 19 in the prior 90 days of their exposure they should contact Human Resources at Benefitsinfo@sunywcc.edu and if approved, will not need to quarantine.
5. It is recommended, but not required, that students and employees test on/about day 5 to 7 after any COVID-19 exposure. However, if symptomatic within that period, they should test immediately. If test result is positive, students or employees must begin an isolation period of at least 5 days as referenced above.

All employees are reminded of the following:

1. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask at all times while indoors at a WCC facility.
2. Practice social distancing whenever possible (including breaks and meals).
3. Self-monitor for symptoms and seek evaluation from a healthcare provider if symptoms occur, recur, or worsen.
4. Do not come to school or work sick.

.
*You are considered exposed if you were within 6 feet for ten minutes or longer with an individual who tested positive for COVID 19 two days prior to when that individual symptom started or when they tested positive.

Employees should report their positive results for COVID or their exposures to Benefitsinfo@sunywcc.edu.

COVID-19 Town Halls

Videos

Town Hall July 14, 2021
Town Hall June 23, 2021
Town Hall August 4. 2021 – WCC Vaccine Information Session

Question Submission Form

Student Resources

Westchester Community College professionals are working to continue to give you the quality educational experience you expect and deserve! Below you will find the links to resources that can help you get the most of your classes. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to email us at welcomecenter@sunywcc.edu.

List of Student Resources

Employee Resources

We have resources available to assist you, our valued employees, in providing the high levels of service our students and community have come to expect. Faculty and staff/administrators can access the resources listed below. Please do not hesitate to email us at humanresources@sunywcc.edu if you have any questions or need additional information.

List of Employee Resources

Health Resources

If you need of physical or mental health resources, please review the resources listed below. If you have any questions or need additional information, please email us at welcomecenter@sunywcc.edu

List of Health Resources

Financial Resources

There are several resources that can help you during this period of economic uncertainty. Links to these resources are provided below. Please do not hesitate to email us at welcomecenter@sunywcc.edu if you have any questions or need additional information.

List of Financial Resources