SUNY Cortland shifts to remote learning with rise in COVID-19 cases, students to remain on campus

CORTLAND, N.Y. — SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras and SUNY Cortland President Erik Bitterbaum on Monday night announced a pause on all in-person classes and activities following an increase in cases of COVID-19.

At 101 cases, SUNY Cortland has met the 100-case threshold to transition to remote learning under New York State Department of Health guidance.

Many of the cases are from off-campus students, SUNY noted in a news release.

As indicated in the New York State Department of Health guidance, residential facilities will remain open and students will stay on campus for a temporary two-week shift to remote learning to prevent further spread of the virus.

“Now that SUNY Cortland must pause and shift to remote learning, the college must redouble its efforts to stabilize and contain the virus on campus,” Malatras said. “It’s up to the entire campus community to come together and bend the curve so that every student has the chance to enjoy their campus experience.”

SUNY Cortland will retest every student for the virus and increase enforcement of the chancellor’s new uniform safety standards, which were officially enacted on Oct. 1, SUNY said.

Students found to have violated safety guidelines will face “immediate” academic and housing suspension and “possible dismissal, loss of athletic eligibility, and ineligibility for admission at every other SUNY college.” Student groups in violation may be banned from campus “permanently.”

Malatras also appointed Frank Lawrence, commissioner of SUNY University Police, to work with Cortland University Police on safety-protocol enforcement.

SUNY Cortland adds that it plans to boost academic-support services to ensure a successful shift to temporary remote learning. If cases stabilize and students comply with safety measures, the Cortland County Department of Health may authorize the resumption of in-person learning, SUNY noted.

“The next two weeks will be challenging. But it’s what we need to do in order to continue functioning as a campus and a concerned member of the Cortland community. We can’t let up,” Bitterbaum said.