OBSERVER Photo Flags around campus issue reminders for students to wear face coverings.

While COVID-19 cases in the county continue to show gradual increases, infections at the State University of New York at Fredonia have on the decline.

On Monday, there were 111 active cases across the county, with only about 12 of those being at the college. This is a complete turnaround from the more than 80 they had at one point in early September. Officials at the university and students believe this is due to the commitment of the entire campus community working together to provide a safer and healthier campus.

According to Jeff Woodard, university spokesman, three things have contributed to Fredonia’s success in keeping their numbers low. “First, the surveillance testing system set up by SUNY Upstate made wide-scale testing possible and we have taken advantage of that by increasing our testing and our capacity to test throughout the semester,” he said. “Secondly, clear communication of the situation on campus, the expectations of students, and the specific consequences if those expectations are not met.”

Third, as Woodard stated, was the determination of the entire SUNY community to take responsibility for their health and the health of those around them by wearing facial coverings, by maintaining social distancing, and by making smart choices.

These sentiments were shared by Julia Turner as well, agreeing that the mandatory pool testing of students and staff has contributed to their low numbers. “I definitely think people are taking things more seriously after the scare of a big spike,” Turner said. “If we had begun the semester with this weekly testing schedule we might not have had as big of an outbreak at the start.”

Not only have the students been a big part in reducing the numbers, but the faculty and staff did as well, and they all have to continue to contribute to keep the numbers low. “Everyone has played a role,” Woodard said. “From our Facilities Services team, which has worked to keep our buildings clean and safe, to our faculty and staff that have been supportive of students and each other by taking and heeding all safety precautions established inside our buildings and outside walking across campus, to our students who have been respectful of themselves and everyone else on campus.”

While several factors played into the drop in numbers after the increase early in the semester, disciplinary action by President Stephen Kolison to suspend 13 students sent a message to students that the university was taking the situation seriously. “Students are also connected to friends at campuses across SUNY and across the state and they’re seeing other colleges ‘pause’ or send students home, and they don’t want that to happen here at Fredonia,” Woodard said, explaining another possibility for the drop in numbers.

“I actually do think that people are following guidelines now. Now that there are repercussions in place I believe students are taking it more seriously,” Jillian Stonefoot, a student, said. “The scare of almost going fully remote has hit everyone kind of hard and I think given them a wake up call. We don’t want to give up our ability to go to class and have some normalcy.”

According to Woodard, while the school is optimistic that the campus community will continue to be smart, they also realize how easily COVID-19 can be transmitted. “We cannot relax for even a moment from our smart collective behavior, and we must continue with our surveillance testing,” he said.

While COVID-19 has not disappeared from the school, officials and students believe that if they keep following the guidelines to the best of their ability and make smart decisions, they’ll be able to keep it at bay. So far, they have turned the situation around from the grim numbers they had a few weeks ago.

“I’m just really proud of our school being able to continue in person while following the guidelines and protocols,” Stonefoot said. “I hope we can set a good example for our community and other universities.”