Fall 2022

Vaccine Requirement

Hamilton College students and employees must be fully vaccinated to study or work on campus, unless they have an approved religious or medical exemption, and anyone entering campus buildings also must be fully vaccinated. “Fully vaccinated” for this purpose means having had an initial primary series followed by a booster when eligible. Per CDC guidelines, anyone aged 50 or over is strongly encouraged to get a second booster.

COVID-19 Testing & Precautions

Students and employees who have been away for the summer are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test before returning to campus (PCR tests within 72 hours prior, rapid antigen tests within 24 hours prior). Both PCR and rapid antigen tests are readily available in most areas of the country, including at local pharmacies, and may be ordered free of charge at covid.gov/tests (expect a longer delivery time). This step will help protect our community and enable you to isolate at home rather than on campus should you test positive.

The College will no longer operate the campus Testing Center or conduct regular surveillance testing but may resume it if circumstances warrant it.

Once students return to campus, they should contact the Health Center to obtain a COVID-19 test if they have symptoms. Students are asked to bring at least two rapid antigen test kits with them to campus and replenish them over the academic year as needed. A limited number of rapid test kits will be available for pick up at the Health Center.

Students who test positive using a rapid test should:

• Note the date on a piece of paper, take a photo of it with the test result, and upload the image to the Student Health portal so that it can be added to their medical record
• Begin required isolation

If a student would like to discuss a medical concern, they may call the Health Center at 315-859-4111; after hours and on weekends, students should follow the prompts to speak with the on-call nurse. For medical emergencies, call Campus Safety at 315-859-4000 to activate an emergency response.

Employees who test positive at home should contact their supervisor and Human Resources.

Masks

Masks, while always welcome, are optional on campus except in the following locations and situations:

• In the Health Center 
• In classes, labs, or studios, if the instructor specifies that masks are necessary
• For 10 full days by students who have tested positive
• By unvaccinated students and employees while indoors 

Precautions may shift as the pandemic evolves and public health guidance changes.

Isolation and Quarantine

Students who test positive for COVID-19 should go home to isolate if within reason and they meet other criteria. Students who cannot go home will isolate in their rooms. They may pick up grab-and-go food from the dining halls and may use community bathrooms, but they must wear a high-quality, well-fitting medical grade mask (no cloth masks or gaiters) whenever they are outside their room. Students may be moved to an alternate location if they have a roommate who is immunocompromised or otherwise at high risk, as verified by, and at the discretion of, the Health Center. Employees must isolate at home.

Per New York State regulations, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must stay in isolation for a minimum of 5 full days following a positive test (Day 0). After Day 5, they may resume attending classes, work, and other activities in person as long as they are fever-free for at least 24 hours, have abating symptoms, and wear a mask until after Day 10. Please note that it is possible for individuals to continue to test positive long after Day 5.

New York State no longer requires close contacts who are fully vaccinated to quarantine unless they have symptoms.

Visitors

Visitors who have been fully vaccinated and received a booster (when eligible) are allowed inside campus buildings. 

Notifications

Notifications about positive cases will only be distributed if there is a significant risk of exposure or if the campus operating status changes.