Interim President Dennis Hefner has put forth a proposal to Albany in regards to the possible reopening of the SUNY Fredonia campus this fall.

“Members of the campus, including faculty, staff, students and administrators, have been working diligently on a plan for safely reopening for fall 2020,” Hefner said in a letter. “A summary of that plan was submitted to SUNY on Friday, June 5 for review and comment. This week the Governor’s Office, in conjunction with SUNY, will be releasing guidelines on reopening campuses for the fall semester. As soon as we confirm our plan conforms to these guidelines, it will be made available to you.”

According to the letter, some SUNY campuses have already placed their summary plans on their website. However, Hefner said these are drafts and noted that these plans may change as guidelines are released.

“We only want to release one plan, the final plan, to avoid the confusion associated with releasing multiple copies,” Hefner said. “Please remember, the governor has the final say regarding in-person classes.”

The letter goes on to issue the guidelines that the plan will most likely follow:

¯ Classes begin Monday, Aug. 24. Move-in date depends upon guidelines.

¯ No breaks during the fall semester.

¯ Students return home on Friday, Nov. 20, for Thanksgiving week. The last week of classes (Nov. 30-Dec. 4) completed remotely. Last day of “remote” finals Friday, December 11.

¯ More “distance education” classes taught than normal, but the majority still in-person.

¯ Activity classes, such as those offered in our Performing Arts programs and in the Sciences, primarily taught in-person, but with some adjustments.

¯ Facial coverings required in all campus buildings and for in-person classes, unless the curriculum dictates otherwise (e.g.-Music).

Hefner hopes to have a completed report as soon as one is available to share with the public.