COVID-19 Information

  • As of April 11, 2023, the State University of New York (SUNY) announced that a COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be mandated for students to attend a SUNY institution, effective for summer courses.
  • OCC, as part of the SUNY system, will also no longer be requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for attendance, or to live in our Residence Hall, but strongly encourage students stay up to date on all vaccinations.  
  • Students with clinical rotations, internships, or filed placements will be required to follow the vaccine requirements of the host site.  
  • COVID has not been eradicated and without a doubt many individuals on campus will feel more comfortable continuing to wear a mask. OCC will remain mask-friendly for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
  • We will continue to provide the process for students to submit their proof of vaccination, and we will continue to report the vaccine status of our students.
  • Individuals should visit the CDC website for real time information on protocols and other updates.

Covid Guidelines:

  • Take extra precautions such as avoiding crowds and physically distancing when you are around people who are more likely to get extremely sick from Covid-19, while onsite in the work environment or interacting with members of the public. 
     
  • Watch for symptoms such as: fever, cough, or shortness of breath. 
     
  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19, test immediately. If you do not have symptoms but have 
    been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test. 
     
  • If you test negative, you can resume your normal activities, but take precautions over the next 5 
    days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

  • Stay home and away from others.

  • You can resume normal activities if, over a period of 24 hours, your overall symptoms have been improving and you have been fever-free without using fever-reducing medications. Note: Symptoms improving can mean different things to different people, make sure your symptoms are truly getting better. If your symptoms are not significantly improving, you should continue to stay home.

  • The CDC recommends to take precautions over the next 5 days such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

  • Contact Nicole Verillo, Human Resources Coordinator at n.e.verillo@sunyocc.edu for further guidance.

  • You may be contagious. For the next 5 days: take added precaution, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors. This is especially important to protect people with factors that increase their risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses.

Please note: The COVID-19 quarantine leave legislation expires on July 31, 2025. For any questions please reach out to Nicole Verillo, Human Resources Coordinator, at n.e.verillo@sunyocc.edu.