August 23, 2021 message from President Kolison

August 23, 2021
 
Dear SUNY Fredonia community,
 
Welcome back to a new school year!  I hope the first day of classes was exciting and great for everyone.  It is truly a joy to see the campus buzzing!  My very best to each of you for a successful and wonderful semester.
 
I believe you may have seen the announcement today that the FDA has granted full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.  As such, the SUNY-mandated directive for all students to be vaccinated is now in place for all campuses, including SUNY Fredonia.  Hence, pursuant to SUNY policy, every student has up to 35 days to provide proof of vaccination or submit a request for a medical or religious exemption for campus review.  
 
At this point, SUNY is not mandating that faculty and staff be vaccinated due to labor rules.  However, we strongly encourage all employees to get vaccinated soon in light of the continuing health threat posed by COVID-19 and its variants.  I am thankful to union leadership on campus for encouraging vaccination for its members.
 
To assist unvaccinated students, faculty, and staff, to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination, SUNY Fredonia is hosting a vaccination clinic this Wednesday, August 25.  The just-approved Pfizer vaccine will be offered, as will the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  Please take advantage of this opportunity if you have not been vaccinated.
 
I am hopeful and I anticipate that today’s FDA announcement will lead to more people being vaccinated.  Notwithstanding this anticipation, I would like to remind everyone that facial coverings are still required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor spaces.  The only exceptions are in personal living spaces, individual workspaces, and during indoor eating and drinking.  This requirement pertains to students, faculty, staff, and all visitors to campus.  As indicated previously, we will reevaluate this requirement by September 16, 2021.  
 
As has been the case from the very start, we are confident that our campus community will continue to do the right thing to ensure that this campus remains a safe and healthy place to interact, learn, work, and live.  I appreciate everything each person is doing to protect this community from COVID-19.
 
Very truly yours,

Dr. K
Stephen H. Kolison, Jr., Ph.D. 
President and Professor