To the Campus Community:

Farmingdale State College is working directly with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to address the current case of coronavirus and to take steps to prevent its spread. We can report that the NYSDOH has contacted those it believes to have been potentially exposed to a commuter student who tested positive. It is important to note that the NYSDOH says that the risk of transmission is low in the classroom setting.

If you were contacted by the NYSDOH staff, please follow their guidance and recommendations to self-isolate and check your temperature twice daily. If you begin to feel ill, call your health care provider prior to going to their office, a hospital, or clinic.

In the event of additional cases, the protocol outlined above will be followed. That is, contact tracing will be undertaken by the NYSDOH, and anyone who had contact with an infected individual would be notified.

We urge all campus members to continue practicing common sense precautionary measures and contact their physician or other health provider with any concerns.

The situation remains fluid and ever changing and we know that there is concern about the possibility that there may be more cases. We are vigilantly monitoring the situation and will notify the campus promptly should this occur.

As we announced on Friday, the campus is closed through Sunday, March 22. Administrative offices will re-open and classes will resume in a distance learning format, wherever possible, on Monday, March 23. We have also taken these additional campus actions:

Arrangements for technology distribution will be coordinated directly by the helpdesk with each faculty/staff/end-user. Personnel should not assume that distribution will take place on Tuesday, March 17. Faculty and staff should not come to campus for technology pick-up unless contacted by the helpdesk for a scheduled pick-up appointment. Faculty and staff may come to campus on Tuesday between 8 am and 4 pm only to collect essential personal items and materials needed to work remotely. This is not a work day and those picking up materials should leave the campus as quickly as possible. Only the Route 110 entrance to campus will be open.

Academic Affairs is creating a robust continuity plan for distance education. Our faculty and staff have been remarkably diligent and prompt in responding to this challenge. An enormous transition is taking place in a brief period. I appreciate the flexibility and dedication so many are showing.

The College has made a substantial investment in technology to permit the transition to distance learning to be as seamless as possible. We have surveyed the technology needs of both faculty and students and will inform the community as to how such technology is to be made available.

We understand the transition to distance learning will be unfamiliar to students who have not previously studied online. Students should be reassured that faculty will help guide you through the process. In addition, there are resources available for you under the For Students tab on the coronavirus information web page.

Although we do not normally offer food service during the spring break, we continue to have about 60 students in residence halls and are making arrangements to provide food directly to these students. This will permit students to minimize travel and practice social distancing.

Our custodial and facilities personnel have been working continuously. All major buildings have been sanitized and disinfected and we have purchased additional equipment to allow more efficient cleaning. Custodial staff are using personal protective equipment during this process.

We will continue to provide regular communication to the campus. Please be mindful that there may be information that we are unable to share due to HIPPA, FERPA and/or other federal laws that rightly require us to protect the rights and privacy of individuals.

As I previously noted, separate communications that are focused on specific campus constituencies are posted on the web site.

We are working continuously to balance multiple and sometimes conflicting goals: to first and foremost act to protect the health of the FSC community; to continue our efforts to fulfill the core academic mission of the College and to communicate as frequently and openly as possible.

Thanks to all of you during this very challenging time.

John Nader

President