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Division of Student Affairs
HomeAbout UsMessages from the VPEnd of Fall Semester

Monday, December 13, 2021

 

Sent to all students:

COVID Booster Information, Winter Session COVID Testing, and How to Stay Safe During the Break

Dear Seawolves,

We’re glad that our semester together was a success! Thanks to your commitment to the health and safety of our campus community, we were able to continue in-person classes and activities. Before winter break begins, we wanted to share some important reminders to keep you, your family, and our community safe. 


COVID VACCINE BOOSTERS

While Stony Brook’s vaccination and testing requirements have helped ensure a very low COVID positivity rate of less than .5%, we are seeing significant increases in COVID-19 infection rates across the country. Protect yourself by getting your COVID vaccine booster. Per CDC guidelines, you are eligible (check the link for specific age requirements and vaccine options) to receive a COVID vaccine booster if you received a second dose of Pfizer, Moderna, or other two-dose approved vaccine at least 6 months ago or one dose of J&J or other single dose vaccine at least 2 months ago.  

We strongly recommend you get this booster as soon as you are eligible as it bolsters waning immunity. While a booster is currently not required to attend in-person classes, live on campus, or access in-person campus services at Stony Brook, that may change in the coming weeks -- and may become a requirement prior to or during the Spring 2022 semester.  We are providing this information to you in advance so that you can make informed decisions about your course of study prior to the start of the Spring 2022 semester.

You can get your booster at Stony Brook’s R&D Park. This site is open Monday-Saturday, 8:00 am-6:30 pm; Sunday, 8 am-12 noon. Appointments are not required for this location, but if you wish to make an appointment at this or any other State-run COVID vaccine site, visitam-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov. You can also get a booster shot at your local pharmacy. Appointments may be required, so check with your pharmacy for details.  

Upon receiving your COVID vaccine booster, please upload this additional vaccination to the Wolfie Health Portal within 2 days.  This will allow our team to gather accurate data on how many students have received boosters.

FLU SHOTS

Protect yourself from the flu by getting your flu shot. You can get a flu shot at your local pharmacy, or at Student Health Services (SHS) before you leave campus for the break. You can contact SHS for your FLU shot at (631) 632-6740. Appointments are required.


COVID TESTING THIS WINTER

If you’re currently a resident student, you are welcome to remain on campus during any or all of the winter break. If you will be living on campus or commuting to campus for an in-person class, working on campus, or accessing any in-person student services or facilities, please participate in COVID testing as follows: 

FULLY VACCINATED Residents: If you are residing on campus at least 4 weeks during the Winter Session, please test at least two times.  Obtain your first test between December 20 – January 5.  Obtain your second test between January 6 – January 21.

If you will be on campus less than 4 weeks during this period, please test at least one time betweenDecember 20 – January 21.

FULLY VACCINATED Commuters: If you are commuting to campus at any time, please test at least one time betweenDecember 20 – January 21.

RESIDENTS & COMMUTERS WITH APPROVED EXEMPTIONS  If you are residing on-campus or commuting to campus during any of the weeks noted below, please test one time per week:

  •  Week 1:  December 20-23
  •  Week 2:  December 27-30
  • Week 3:  January 3 -7
  • Week 4:  January 10 -14
  • Week 5:  January 17-21

Please visit our website to view available testing locations and times. For the winter break, appointments are not required and walk-ins are accepted. 

  • If you are planning to get tested at the MAC Courts or Chapin Commons locations, you must be registered at these locations.  


TRAVEL GUIDANCE

If you’re traveling internationally, note that foreign national air travelers to the United States are required to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the United States, with only limited exceptions. In addition, before boarding an international flight to the United States, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, travelers are required to show documentation of a negative COVID test result taken within one day of the flight’s departure. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. That includes all travelers – U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), and foreign nationals.

For more information about these requirements, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel/index.html  

For country-specific COVID-19 information, visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html 

 

TIPS TO STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY

  • Consider the community levels of COVID in your location to assess your risk of infection. You can find this information on your community’s Health Department website.
  • Wear a mask indoors. If gathering indoors, open the windows to maximize air circulation. 
  • Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or outside of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. 
  • Watch out for symptoms of COVID-19, especially if you’ve been around someone who is sick. If you have COVID symptoms, get tested and stay home and away from others. If your test is positive or you have been exposed to COVID, call the Student Contact Tracing Line at (631) 632-6176. 
  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers/cleaners are also effective.
  • Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.

IMPORTANT DATES

  • Winter session: Tuesday, January 4 - Friday, January 21
  • First day of spring classes: Monday, January 24

Check the relevant academic calendar for other winter and spring 2022 dates and deadlines.

Enjoy this well-deserved break! Please continue to check your Stony Brook email over the break for additional information about the Spring 2022 semester. We wish you a happy and healthy new year. 


Sincerely,

Rick Gatteau, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs

Marisa Bisiani, DNP, ANP-BC
Assistant Vice President 
Student Health, Wellness and Prevention Services

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