Binghamton’s classes begin Aug. 26, but the semester started when about 6,800 students began moving onto campus over a seven-day period, beginning Aug. 19, rather than over two days as in past years. 

The school believes the longer move-in period will “keep density down each day” and allow the campus to test students for COVID-19 before they enter the residence halls.

“We’ve done our best to prepare for everything that needs to be addressed to keep our students and all members of our campus and community safe from the virus,” Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger said in a statement. “The best way for the semester to be successful is for the entire campus and community to pull together.”

Stenger on Aug. 12 was joined by local elected officials, along with various campus and community representatives, to announce plans for restarting the school.

Students will be tested using a nasal swab rapid test, with results in about 30 minutes, Binghamton said. Those who test positive will be expected to return home until they are medically cleared. If that is not possible, they will be isolated in a dedicated residence hall on campus.

“Even New York City and Long Island, where most of our students come from, are experiencing [test positive] rates of around 1 percent,” said Stenger. “And an analysis by the public health department of Upstate Medical University of the risk presented by students returning to SUNY campuses shows that Binghamton University presents a risk level of ‘very low to low’ which isn’t zero, but is the lowest rating achievable in their analysis.”

Other ways the campus has adapted in preparation for the fall semester include: 

Requiring all people on campus to wear face masks at all times in buildings and shared spaces (including classrooms), except when alone in a private room, private office, private vehicle, or cubicle space when appropriate social distancing can be maintained or more isolated areas when social distancing can be maintained.

In addition, Binghamton is offering classes in a number of in-person, online, and hybrid formats and “reducing density” in all classrooms to maintain social distancing.

The school is also posting face mask, social distancing, one-way entry/exit reminders, and other signage throughout campus.

Binghamton is also modifying ventilation systems to run air systems for longer durations, increasing outdoor-air ventilation, and upgrading filtration to, typically, MERV 14 and MERV 13 (minimum efficiency reporting value), which are commonly used in hospital inpatient and general-surgery applications.

Hartwick College

Hartwick College says its students will return to campus between Aug. 22 and Aug. 30 with classes beginning Aug. 31.

The college says it has specific protocols that all students and employees are required to follow pertaining to their return to the campus in Oneonta.

All Hartwick students are required to provide evidence that they have tested negative for COVID-19 “within a maximum of 14 days prior to arrival.”

In addition, students arriving from a “hot spot” state, as determined by New York State, will be required to quarantine for 14 days, per current guidelines — even if the student has tested negative for COVID-19. 

Between Aug. 22 and Aug. 31, all students (both residents and commuters) and all employees will undergo COVID-19 testing upon their initial arrival on campus. After Aug. 31, all students and employees will be tested every other week until the end of in-person classes on Nov. 20.

Coursework will be delivered both in-person and virtually for students in the fall semester. Changes to the academic calendar for the fall semester eliminated breaks until in-person instruction ends on Nov. 20. All students will leave campus by Nov. 21 and then complete the semester’s instruction and exams remotely. Final exams conclude on Dec. 10.

Hartwick is also instituting safety and cleaning measures throughout the campus. These include increased sanitizing of academic and administrative buildings and residence halls; additional hand-sanitizer dispensers at building entrances, dining and café locations, fitness entrances, and event spaces; and markings and signage in campus buildings to indicate six-foot distancing.

Before classes begin Aug. 31, every member of the Hartwick community “must commit” to a social compact including measures such as wearing a facemask in all public spaces on campus, maintaining six-foot physical distancing at all times, employing frequent handwashing, and participating in daily screenings including temperature checks.