TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY (WSKG) – SUNY Cortland officials announced that classes will remain online for the rest of this semester.
In his statement, University President Erik Bitterbaum said the school will allow students who test negative for COVID-19 to go home early. Students who wish to leave early must depart within 48 hours of receiving a negative test result. If not, they must be retested.
Celia Clarke/WSKG
SUNY Cortland President Erik Bitterbaum (left) and SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras (right) speaking about the closure of the university due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. (Celia Clarke/WSKG)
Students are not required to move out before November 20-23, the scheduled Thanksgiving break.
Departures are being planned by the school and the Cortland County Department of Health on a staggered schedule.
Students who wish to leave must test negative before returning home. If a student tests positive they must complete a mandatory 10-day isolation period before they can go home.
Bitterbaum stated that no students will be allowed to go home without testing negative for COVID-19. Students are required to adhere to safe guidelines including safe distancing, mask-wearing and other precautions between the time they test negative and their departure to reduce risk of contracting the virus after being tested.
SUNY Cortland first moved to online classes Oct. 7 following a COVID-19 outbreak for a state-mandated two-week period. It was extended for another two weeks on Oct. 21.