Spring on the York College campus

Campus Announcements

2021-22

Mandatory Vaccinations for Study Abroad

September 22, 2021

Dear Students and Faculty Members--In order to maintain the safest environment for students and faculty members when traveling abroad, we are requiring that all students and faculty members who are traveling internationally on college-sponsored activities be fully vaccinated.  This does not constitute an automatic approval of any study abroad activity but will be necessary for students and faculty members in order to take part in any college-sponsored travel.

Faculty members who are leading study abroad will be able to work with the Student Success Office to determine who has uploaded a vaccination card.  Students who have approval to study abroad on their own must let the Student Success Office know of their intention and to make sure their vaccination card is on record at the College.

Thanks,

Laura Niesen de Abruna
Provost

COVID-19 Information York College of Pennsylvania

Archive: 2021-22 COVID-19 Communications

  • October 14, 2021 - COVID Mitigation Efforts Continue

    October 14, 2021

    York College Students:

    As we return after Fall Break, I write to alert students that our current COVID dashboard shows an uptick in the number of cases. While we only have 52 positive cases on campus since August 21, we currently have 11 active positive cases among the student body. 

    This means that we all must be vigilant to mitigate against further spread. Everyone in the community needs to continue to follow the mask mandate while indoors. While compliance has generally been quite good, I remind everyone of the importance of wearing masks even in the dining hall – except when seated at tables. Please remember that washing your hands and staying home if you feel sick are still important. 

    We should be proud of achieving a vaccination rate over 77%, but we should not stop there. Those in the community who are unvaccinated are encouraged to get the vaccine. We also continue to require surveillance testing for those who are unvaccinated. It also is important this winter to get the flu vaccine, which is now widely available.

    Our primary goal remains keeping the campus community safe and caring for one another during the pandemic. During this time between Fall Break and the Thanksgiving, we need to continue to be vigilant in our efforts to prevent the spread of the virsus.

    Sincerely,

    Rick Satterlee, Ph.D.
    Dean of Student Development and Campus Life

  • August 27, 2021 — Campus COVID Vaccination Clinic for Students Scheduled for Sept. 2

    Aug. 27, 2021

    York College is partnering with WellSpan to host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students from noon to 4 p.m., Sept. 2, in the Grumbacher Center. Registration is available here. Students will receive an email confirming their appointment as well as additional instructions for the clinic.

    Students are also reminded to upload either their proof of vaccination status or negative COVID-19 test results by the Sept. 1 deadline.

  • August 24, 2021 — Sept. 1 Deadline Established for Complying with COVID Requirements

    August 24, 2021

    Dear York College Students:

    As President Gunter-Smith reminded us in her most recent correspondence to the York College community, we are still in the grips of a pandemic and must continue to be vigilant and respond accordingly.

    In an August 9 correspondence, I reminded students that to return to campus for Fall 2021 they must either provide proof of vaccination, or if unvaccinated, provide a negative COVID-19 test no more than 3 days prior to returning to campus. To date, many students have completed this process, and I greatly appreciate their compliance. Still, many students have not taken appropriate steps and are not cleared by Health Services.

    For those students who have not provided proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, I am announcing today that the deadline to do so is Wednesday, September 1.  Students who fail to provide documentation by that deadline WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS to their network account. Students will not regain access to their accounts until they have completed the process. To regain access, students must submit their vaccination card here or their test results here. Once the documentation is approved by the Health Center, network access will be restored. For assistance with technical issues, contact the Helpdesk at 717-815-1559.

    In addition to compliance with providing documentation and receiving clearance to be on campus by Health Services, I ask students to be vigilant regarding their off-campus conduct. President Gunter-Smith stresses in her correspondence that most concerns with the spread of the virus last year stemmed from off-campus social gatherings. In normal years, these parties reflect risky behaviors. During a global pandemic, they are reckless and show disregard for the health and safety of the York College community. I ask you to avoid them and to follow on campus protocols at all time.

    Sincerely,


    Richard T. Satterlee, Ph.D.
    Dean of Student Development and Campus Life

  • August 24, 2021 — Return to Campus Note for the Fall 2021 Semester

    Aug. 24, 2021

    Dear Spartans:

    Welcome to your York College! We have eagerly anticipated your return to campus and are looking forward to a more normal York College experience – one that provides in-person instruction, athletic events, student organization meetings, service opportunities, and more.

    In June, we shared with you the COVID mitigation efforts that would be in place for the fall. With the availability of vaccines and lower COVID positivity rates, we relaxed some of those we had in place earlier. However, with the emergence of the more transmissible COVID Delta variant, we are experiencing a national surge in positive cases and hospitalizations. One thing is certain – we are still in the grips of a pandemic. We must continue to be vigilant and respond accordingly.

    Our campus grounds remain open for all to enjoy. Our buildings are open only to YCP students and employees. Invited guests are required to make arrangements before they enter buildings or attend events. (Spectators may attend athletic events without registration.) Facemasks are required in all indoor facilities and buildings. Gaiters, bandanas, or shields are not acceptable. You should continue to wash your hands and watch your distance.

    We also launched our #ItsWorthAShot campaign with the intent of relaxing our indoor masking requirement once our campus community reached 70% full vaccination status. The CDC now recommends indoor masking by both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. As a result, we will continue with masking until new guidance is given. This does not mean that our #itsworthashot campaign is suspended. Rather, with the recent full FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine, we are even more strongly encouraging members of our campus community to be vaccinated. On-campus vaccination clinics will be coming in the next few weeks. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary.

    Last year, our COVID transmission here on campus was quite low. It was social behaviors off-campus that resulted in increased COVID positivity among our community. With this in mind, I urge you to be mindful of your actions, the risk they present to yourself and others in the community, and adhere to our guidelines both on- and off-campus. Do your part to keep our Spartan community healthy so we can continue to enjoy being together again!

    Sincerely,

    Pamela Gunter-Smith, Ph.D.

  • August 21, 2021 — August 23 Campus COVID Clinic Provided for Students
    Dear Students,
     
    As you know, YCP is requiring that all students upload proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to return to campus. Students will not be able to check into residence halls or attend campus events until they have reported test results. For all of those students who have completed the process and uploaded documents, we are grateful. We also are aware that many have experienced frustration getting the COVID-19 test in time. The availability of tests at local health care providers and pharmacies is dramatically less than it was just a few weeks ago.
     
    For this reason, we will be providing an on-campus clinic on Monday, August 23, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Grumbacher fieldhouse. Please note that only students will be admitted to the fieldhouse, and that the cost will be $65 for the rapid test. Students will need to show YCP ID cards. Students will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis at this drop-in clinic.
     
    Students participating in the clinic are advised to review the following instructions and to download the Navica app:
     
     
    Thank you for all you are doing to help keep our community safe.
     
    Rick Saterlee, Ph.D.
    Dean of Student Development and Campus Life
  • August 9, 2021 — Proof of Vaccination and COVID Test Requirements for Fall 2021

    August 9, 2021

    To York College Students:

    With the new academic year right around the corner, I am writing to remind you that we strongly encourage all students to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The pandemic has not been eradicated, and more transmissible variants pose a greater risk to those in our community who are unvaccinated. Our goal as a community remains to get to a 70% vaccination rate.

    With the health and safety of our campus community in mind, it is important that you take the following steps regarding your vaccination status prior to returning to campus:

    1. Students who are fully vaccinated will be required to provide proof of vaccination status before they return. Beginning on July 16, 2021, we created a portal for this purpose. If you are fully vaccinated and have not yet provided your proof of vaccination, you may complete the process and upload your vaccination card here. Please note that Health Services will confirm that your proof of vaccination has been accepted.
    2. Unvaccinated students must provide a negative COVID-19 test dated no more than 3 days prior to their return. We began collecting COVID-19 test results beginning August 8. To report your COVID 19 test results click here. Please note that Health Services will confirm your negative COVID-19 test results.

    As a member of the campus community, it is imperative that you follow these steps. You may not access residence halls or campus facilities until you have done so. In addition, while we have eased certain restrictions (social distancing and wearing facemasks outdoors), the wearing of facemasks inside campus buildings will continue to be required until further notice.

    You will find COVID-related information about the plan for your return for the Fall 2021 semester at www.ycp.edu/coronavirus. This site will be updated regularly, including when and if we need to adjust our plan based on recommendations from national and state agencies and our campus COVID positivity status. For COVID-related questions or information, reach out to the COVID Call Center at 717-815-1900 or covidquestions@ycp.edu.

    Thank you in advance for your cooperation with these requirements. I look forward to welcoming you back to campus, and know you understand that a safe, healthy and productive school year is dependent on all of us doing our part.

     

    Richard T. Satterlee, Ph.D.
    Dean of Student Development and Campus Life

  • August 4, 2021 — Travel Policy for 2021-22 Academic Year

    August 4, 2021

    Travel Policy-COVID 19 Restrictions

    Academic Year 2021/22

    Faculty/Staff Personal Travel

    The College does not exercise authority or control over, or accept liability for, personal travel for employees. Personal travel during the pandemic is up to the individual; the College recommends that individuals consider the risk factors, including the infection rate and COVID-19 restrictions, for either the domestic or international location to which they are traveling.

    Faculty/Staff Professional and Business-Related Travel

    The prohibition of business-related travel is lifted for the Academic Year 2021/22.

    Essential travel--Staff (i.e., Admissions, Advancement, Athletics) may begin essential College travel that is required as a part of their employment responsibilities and may travel to domestic and international locations with approval of their respective Vice President or Dean. Travel to destinations with very high COVID-19 levels is discouraged (Level 4 Travel Health Notice) and will be considered by Vice Presidents or Deans when assigning travel. Employees who have travel as a part of their job responsibilities are required to be fully vaccinated prior to travel.

    Non-essential travel—Faculty and staff may begin non-essential College travel (i.e., conferences, seminars, institutes, etc.) upon approval of their Provost, Vice President or Dean.

    Travel by officially recognized student organizations (i.e., club sports, musical ensembles, special interest clubs, academic clubs, honor societies)

    Regional travel (states bordering Pennsylvania) for these organizations is permitted for AY 2021/22. Travel must be approved in advance by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. When using campus vehicles, clubs and organizations must ensure all participants wear masks as per College policy. When traveling, students are required to follow all COVID restrictions in place at the College, and in place at the site they are visiting. Clubs and organizations traveling out of the region (states beyond those that border Pennsylvania) or that include multi-night stays (especially involving air travel) must be approved at a minimum of two weeks in advance by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs will consult with the respective Academic Dean regarding travel requests from academic clubs and honor societies. Factors that will be considered when making the decision regarding travel out of the region include: 1.) the rate of infection of COVID 19-in the travel location; and 2.) the policies in place at the event or conference students are attending.

    Field trips/class excursions/student participation in academic conferences

    Field trips/class excursions and student participation in academic conferences will also be permitted in AY 2021/22. These trips and conferences must be approved at a minimum of two weeks in advance by their respective Academic Dean and Provost. Factors that will be considered when deciding regarding travel out of the region include: 1.) the rate of infection of COVID-19 in the travel location; and 2.) the policies in place at the conference or event.

    Study abroad

    All study abroad opportunities were suspended for Fall 2021. We anticipate study abroad opportunities will resume for intersession and Spring 2022. Planning study abroad opportunities to countries with a Level 4 Travel Health notice is not advisable. All study abroad opportunities for intersession and Spring 2022 must be approved by the Provost.

    Athletics

    Travel to competition for intercollegiate athletics is expected. Travel requirements and COVID-19 restrictions will be made in consideration of policies and guidance from the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) and the NCAA.

    *Please note: York College of Pennsylvania reserves the right to alter/suspend/lift these restrictions as new information from the Center for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Education becomes available.

    **All members of the campus community are expected to adhere to all U.S. and international requirements regarding travel.

  • July 8, 2021 — Return to Campus Fall 2021 COVID-related Information

    July 8, 2021

    To York College Students:  

    It is hard to believe that we will be welcoming you to campus in a few weeks. Like you, I am looking forward to a more “typical” York College experience commencing this August when students return.  

    With the recent decrease in COVID-19 cases and the lifting of mandates in our state, we are able to step back some of last year’s mitigation practices here on campus. We are relaxing our  social distancing requirements and the wearing of facemasks outdoors. However, the pandemic has not been eradicated, and more transmissible variants pose a greater risk to those  in our community who are unvaccinated. As a result, the wearing of facemasks inside campus buildings will continue to be required until further notice. This mandate will be lifted if and  when we reach a 70% vaccination rate among our campus community (including faculty,  staff, and students). 

    We strongly encourage students to be vaccinated and are developing an incentive program for  those vaccinated or unvaccinated students who participate. Unvaccinated students will be  required to participate in our mandatory random surveillance testing and to quarantine if they  are a close contact to someone who has COVID-19. Fully vaccinated students will be exempt  from both of these requirements.  

    You will find COVID-related information about the plan for your return for the Fall 2021  semester at www.ycp.edu/coronavirus. This site will be updated regularly, including when and  if we need to make adjustments in our plan based on recommendations from national and  state agencies and our campus COVID positivity status. For COVID-related questions or  information, reach out to the COVID Call Center at 717-815-1900 or covidquestions@ycp.edu.  

    Student will receive Information on campus housing and the move-in process shortly. Questions on these topics may be directed to residencelife@ycp.edu.  

    Several important items require your attention as you make plans for your return to campus: 

    1. Students who are fully vaccinated will be required to provide proof of vaccination status before they return. We will require students to upload proof of full vaccination starting on July 16; the URL to a form will be provided soon. (This form will be open  throughout the semester for updates). 
    2. Unvaccinated students must provide a negative COVID-19 test dated no more than 3 days prior to their return. We will collect COVID-19 test results beginning on August 8; the URL to a form will be provided soon. (Students interested in getting a vaccination on  campus through WellSpan should indicate so here.) 
    3. Remote learning opportunities for COVID-19 will only be considered in two cases: 1) Student is allergic to the COVID-19 vaccine; or 2) Student is allergic to a component of the COVID-19 vaccine. Remote learning applications may be submitted beginning on  July 31; the URL to an application form will be provided soon. 

    Like you, I am looking forward to those experiences that we all missed last year, especially in person events including student organization meetings, athletic competitions, and Campus  Activity Board activities. However, in order to hold these events in-person, we must continue to  be diligent and take the necessary steps to keep our campus community informed and healthy.  I look forward to seeing you in August. Thank you for doing your part to keep York College  headed in the right direction.  

    Now, let’s reach that 70% fully vaccinated campus milestone! #ItsWorthAShotYCP!

    Sincerely,  

    Pamela Gunter-Smith, Ph.D.