Local Departments of Health report a surge in COVID-19 cases in the area. While Alfred State College’s positivity rate has not surged to that same level, ASC is taking additional precautions to assist the surrounding community.
ASC has chosen to shift classes and labs to a fully remote
format effective Monday, Nov. 23. At that time, faculty will be permitted to
teach synchronous classes at the same time as currently scheduled but through
remote delivery. They are not required to come to campus for the remote
instruction.
Also, effective the same day, all food services will be
takeout/to-go and there will be no more in-person dining. Students can elect to move out any time after
their Friday classes and after they have received their negative COVID-19 test
result.
There are three important reasons for the change:
1. On Nov. 14, the
Allegany County Department of Health released a bulletin to all media sources
that indicates a surge in county cases and a 14-day rolling average of 5
percent and a seven-day rolling average of 6.4 percent. The county is preparing residents for a state
color zone designation as a hot spot.
The Department of Health is asking the public and residents to help.
2. Alfred State can
best provide students an option to leave campus in the closest possible
proximity to their negative test result before traveling to their home and
family.
3. Also, ASC can
reduce campus density to allow its campus case numbers to decline.
Students are not required to leave Friday. With only three class days next week,
students can opt to take next week’s classes remotely (Monday through
Wednesday) while still staying on campus (in the residence halls). Students are encouraged to take advantage of
the option to leave this weekend after receiving a negative test result.
