BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Through three combined efforts, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, believes SUNY schools will stay open.
“I think what we're doing here, although a new normal, can instill confidence that in the community, with our parents, with our students, with our faculty and staff that we can remain open and safely,” said Chancellor Malatras.
First, schools will be strict when it comes to COVID rules.
“We are going to enforce suspensions and other penalties for people who do not comply with the rules,” Chancellor Malatras said.
Secondly, there will be more testing.
“This was done in large part because of SUNY Upstate Medical University's new pool testing technology that we have that allows us to do 105,000 tests a week for our SUNY system. It's a game changer for us,” Chancellor Malatras said.
Malatras also said they will be using waste water testing as an early determinate as to where COVID outbreaks are.
Lastly, SUNY has launched a SUNY wide data dashboard.
“Where parents, the public, students can go onto our website and see all the information about what's going on across SUNY. How many positive cases there are, how many tests have been given, how many people are in isolation or quarantine, how many quarantine rooms are available,” Chancellor Malatras said.
To those who are choosing to break the rules, hosting so called "COVID parties," Chancellor Malatras has a message.
“Individual actions have consequences for the entire student body, so before you have that party, think about the senior who wants to stay on campus for their final year and have an experience,” Chancellor Malatras said.
