In light of recent updated guidance from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health, Ithaca College will be modifying its public health guidance on the use of face coverings in on-campus spaces. Please note the following changes will go into effect on Monday, June 14, 2021.
Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals
Members of the IC Community (students, faculty, staff) who are fully immunized with a COVID-19 vaccine (14+ days following final dose in vaccine series) and have documented their vaccine record with Ithaca College WILL NOT be required to wear face coverings both indoors and outdoors while on campus.
- Please note that while this provision will be made for the majority of spaces on campus, certain designated locations may still require the use of a face covering even if vaccinated. These select spaces will have clearly marked signage to indicate the face covering policy being used in that area.
- Individuals who are vaccinated, but who wish to continue to wear a face covering may do so at their own comfort level.
- Individuals who are vaccinated are asked to continue following public health procedures including practicing good hand hygiene.
- Individuals who are vaccinated MUST STILL complete the Daily Health Screening form.
Guidance for Unvaccinated/Not Fully Immunized Individuals
Members of the IC Community (students, faculty, staff) who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine, are not fully immunized (less than 14 days following final dose in vaccine series) and/or who have not submitted an updated vaccine record with Ithaca College WILL BE required to continue wearing face coverings indoors at all times and outdoors when an individual cannot maintain six feet of social distancing.
- Members of this group must continue to practice all public health procedures including maintaining at least six feet of physical distance when possible and practice good hand hygiene.
- Individuals may remove their face coverings whenever they are in a private office setting and with the door closed.
- Unvaccinated individuals MUST STILL complete the Daily Health Screening form.
Guidance for Approved Campus Visitors
In an effort to continue de-densifying Ithaca’s South Hill campus, Ithaca College maintains its revised visitor policy with only exceptions made for admissions tours and participants in approved summer camps and programs. Visitors to campus are required to wear a face covering at all times regardless of vaccination status.
Guidance for Retired Faculty and Staff
Retired faculty and staff who have received prior clearance to access campus will follow the same guidance as active employees. Members of this population who have documented their vaccination status with Ithaca College will not be required to wear a face covering, while unvaccinated individuals will be required to continue wearing face coverings.
How to Submit Your Vaccine Documentation
It is important that individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine document their status with Ithaca College via the appropriate channels.
For Students: Once you have completed your vaccine series, email a clear picture (front and back) of your COVID-19 Vaccination Card to healthcenter@ithaca.edu. The pictures should legibly display your full name, name of vaccine you received, and the dates of your vaccine dose(s). For those few students unable to obtain the vaccine due to medical/disability or sincerely held religious beliefs, please submit a vaccine exemption request available on our Vaccine Webpage by July 1, 2021.
For Faculty/Staff: Please complete the COVID-19 Vaccination Record form administered by the Office of Human Resources. You will need to upload pictures of your COVID-19 Vaccination Card (front and back) that legibly display your full name, name of vaccine you received, and the dates of your vaccines dose(s).
Ithaca College will continue to monitor additional guidance from both national and state departments and will provide updates to its own public health guidance as they become available. We are currently awaiting guidance from the Governor's Office regarding higher education guidelines on whether previous spacing guidance can be reduced in classroom and dining spaces. Additional fall reopening policies and procedures will be communicated later this summer. Thank you for your cooperation!
Sincerely,
Samm Swarts
Assistant Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management