^{High-resolution image of the COVID-19 virus. Photo Credit: Alissa Eckert, MSMI, Dan Higgins, MAMS.}

Compared to the previous two years, the Fall 2023 semester did not start with a barrage of emails from various places and figures on campus regarding SUNY Old Westbury’s COVID-19 policy.

Instead, students received one email on August 24th, 2023 from the Student Health Center regarding “personal health and wellness and our campus community.” 

As of today, there is no official COVID-19 policy in place this semester at the college. The email from Student Health Center’s director, Cris Tesoriero, stated, “While the COVID-19 pandemic emergency was lifted in the spring, there remains cause for concern. Recent increases in COVID-19 cases are worrisome, even though they have not risen to levels we had during the heights of the pandemic.”

At the bottom of the email, the Student Health Center announced that on October 10, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., representatives from CVS will be on campus to administer free flu shots to students. The word ‘free’ was bolded and italicized in the email.

The email also included health tips for students as a general guideline. Advice such as washing your hands frequently and to wear a mask if you are starting to feel sick were listed. Further, it stated that if you felt sick, stay home, and if your symptoms suggest you may have COVID-19, follow isolation and COVID-19 requirements listed on the Student Health Center website.

Some information listed on the website includes the college’s current vaccination, masking, and COVID-19 testing guidelines. As stated on the website, for the 2023-2024 school year, the college is “following guidance from the State University of New York” and “does not require students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 for the 2023-2024 academic year.”

However, all in our community (students, faculty, staff) are urged to remain up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

SUNY Old Westbury is operating in a mask optional status for all students, staff, faculty and visitors, except as follows:

• in an instructional setting when required by the instructor
• in a campus office setting when required by the occupant
• in a healthcare setting (i.e., Student Health Center, Office of Counseling and Psychological Wellness)
• if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, wear a mask, get tested immediately and self-quarantine while you await results.
• if you test positive and must be isolated (i.e., you will also be required to mask for five days after ending isolation, days 6-10).

COVID-19 testing is not required for any population on campus for the Fall 2023 semester.

• Anyone who has had contact with a positive COVID-19 case or is experiencing any symptoms should perform a COVID-19 test or, for students, visit the Student Health Center to be tested.
• Any faculty or staff who receives a positive COVID-19 test results either from a home rapid test or an off-campus lab must immediately isolate and report their test results immediately.
• Students report test results immediately to: [email protected]
• Faculty & Staff report test results immediately to: [email protected]
• Faculty who are told by a student that the student has tested positive for COVID-19 are to advise the student to get in touch with the Student Health Center as soon as possible.
• NOTE: SUNY Old Westbury may at a later date impose more frequent testing of students and employees, regardless of vaccination status, if conditions warrant additional measure
• Phone: (516) 876-3250
  Fax: (516) 876-3142
  Email: [email protected]
• Location
• Campus Center, I-Wing, Suite I-109