IN THIS ISSUE

• An overview of our COVID-19 policies for fall 2021
• Governor Cuomo: All state employees must be vaccinated by Labor Day, or be tested for COVID-19 every week
• New York State is reviewing new CDC guidance on masking
• A map of CDC transmission data, the basis for new masking guidance
• On-campus COVID-19 testing moving back to Awosting Hall on Aug. 2
• U.S. Depts. of State and Education issue “A Renewed Commitment to International Education”
• SUNY announces new Empowering Students with Disability Task Force
• Classical music on the Quad: Bachfest returns, Aug. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
• New student Orientation wraps up this week
• Events and resources
• The latest from media
• From our community: NP Hawks Bloopers!

News of the day

An overview of our COVID-19 policies for fall 2021
Get details on how vaccination, masking, screening, testing, quarantine, events and more will work on our campus this semester

Governor Cuomo: All state employees must be vaccinated by Labor Day, or be tested for COVID-19 every week
New state-wide rule aligns with existing SUNY policy of weekly testing for unvaccinated;
State is "working with unions to implement this program quickly & fairly," Cuomo said; Announcement follows similar policy in NYC, and comes as President Biden is expected to announce plans for a federal worker vaccination requirement

New York State is reviewing new CDC guidance on masking
The College is in consultation with the state and SUNY on how new masking recommendations for vaccinated people may impact our planning for fall;
Guidance for unvaccinated people is unchanged - they should keep wearing masks indoors

CDC transmission data, the basis for new masking guidance, mapped out here
New recommendations focus on places where COVID-19 transmission is deemed "substantial" or "high"; Transmission rates in Ulster County (and most of New York State) are presently categorized as “moderate”

On-campus COVID-19 testing moving back to Awosting Hall on Aug. 2
Appointment-only PCR testing will be offered on Aug. 2, Aug. 12 and Aug. 20;
Info about the fall testing schedule will be shared soon

Statement from the Center for International Programs on “A Renewed Commitment to International Education”
As the College prepares to welcome more than 80 new international students to our campus community, the U.S. Departments of State and Education have issued a joint statement of principles, affirming the value and importance of international education

SUNY announces new Empowering Students with Disability Task Force
On the 31^st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, SUNY commissions new effort to address challenges faced by students with disabilities and provide additional educational opportunities

Classical music on the Quad: Bachfest returns, Aug. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
An outdoor orchestral concert here on campus, conducted by Professor Edward Lundergan, and free and open to the public; See link for COVID-19 protocols

Resources, events and reminders

Move-in tips and reminders for students living on campus in fall 2021
Vaccine requirements, move-in dates, what to bring and more

At SUNY’s direction, the College is working to reduce campus printing and paper consumption
Initiative stands to save more than $13 million systemwide

The Employee Action Form: A streamlined, one-page resource for faculty and staff transactions
With summer comes a busy time for processing employee actions, so the Office of Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion shares a reminder about this consolidated form

Dependent Care Advantage Account grace period extended through Sept. 15
Participating employees can submit DCAA reimbursement claims now through Sept. 30 for expenses incurred from Jan. 1, 2020 – Sept. 15, 2021

One new form for all your Audio/Visual requests
Instructional Media Services offers video conferencing, lecture capture, equipment loans and much more, now through a single streamlined process

The latest from media

Susie Ibarra: Sculptor of Sound, Water Magician
Legendary jazz magazine profiles Ibarra, a regular collaborator and adjunct professor in our Department of Music
Downbeat, 7/27/21

From Our Community

Daily Digest readers: We want to hear from you! 

• Have important news to share with the SUNY New Paltz community?
• Developed an innovative solution to improve remote teaching and learning?
• Figured out a lifehack to help yourself stay positive?
• Want to share a photograph with friends and colleagues?